After a few hitches, St Lawrence University finally held its 7th graduation ceremony, at which 810 graduands received degrees and diplomas in various disciplines. Of these, 339 were female, while 471 were male.
Early last week, all was not looking good, when the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) expressed concern and sought to block the whole ceremony.
After some negotiations, the university agreed to exclude graduands on the degree in computer engineering and diploma in journalism from the ceremony, as the programmes are not accredited.
Explaining the matter, the vice chancellor, Prof Frank Mbaaga pledged to settle the issue with the NCHE before organizing a special graduation ceremony for those affected.
On a lighter note, the chancellor and vice president, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, urged the graduates to remain disciplined even after leaving the university.
“You must avoid temptations that will lead you to acquire HIV/Aids,” he said. “You should endeavour to establish job opportunities that will enable you to become employers rather than employees.”
Reporting to the congregation, Prof Mbaaga commended the graduates for the effort invested in their studies and charged them to be good ambassadors of the institution.
He reported that the university had computerized many of their operations, including a system where students and parents could independently check for their grades.
The institution was also involved in setting up an entreprenuership business centre in Mubende that promotes innovation and employment opportunities, supporting 40 market vendors in the process.
It was also the first time the university founder, Prof Lawrence Mukiibi, was making a public appearance, following his car accident on July 26, 2016.
“I want to thank everyone who contributed to my recovery after I was involved in an accident that left me in a coma,” he said.
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