Makerere University has released a tentative programme for university opening.
Makerere University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe in an internal memo to all heads of Department says the business at the university resume on Saturday June 20, 2020 and close on August 7, 2020
“This will include teaching and end of semester examination.”
He asked departmental heads to immediately collect data for final year students and contact them to know how much had been covered in terms of teaching and remaining time.
“List the public health control measures required and planning the acquisition,” he added.
Nawangwe further asked deans to list all finalists with their phone numbers.
“List the schools which have been or not been teaching online and how much is required to complete the course units content,” reads the letter in part.
He noted that the required information should reach the vice Chancellor’s office before Friday May 29,2020.
The Vice Chancellor Nawangwe
has written to academic leaders (Principals, Deans, and Heads of Departments) about the proposals on re-opening Makerere University as submitted by the University COVID-19 Task Force.
The proposals as laid down in the letter are to be discussed by Management and later the University Council They are not conclusive!
Dr Muhammad Kiggundu Musoke, the Makerere University’s communications and international relations manager, proposals as laid down in the letter are to be discussed by Management and later the University Council.
He said the top level meeting will discuss key among others measures required for opening of the university and the strategy for online teaching
The development comes a few days after President Museveni allowed all educational institutions in the country to open their gates for final year students at undergraduate and graduate levels.
Meanwhile, Makerere University guild leadership is up in arms following communication issued by the warden of Livingstone Hall asking all continuing students to vacate their rooms.
The letter dated May 25, 2020, notes that the move is intended to create space for finalist government-nonresident students.
“This is to inform all non-finalist resident students who left their property to remove their belonging,” the notice reads in part.
Julius Kateregga, the Makerere University Guild President, notes that the decision taken by the authorities is ‘rushed, mean and afterthought. Kateregga argues that nearly all students left their property in halls given the fact that the president had indicated that educational institutions would resume operations after 32 days.
“This is to inform all non-finalist resident students who left their property to remove their belonging,” the notice reads in part
Cyriaco Kabagambe, the Dean of Students at Makerere University notes that the statement was released prematurely as the university management had not issued a road map for reopening.
“Disregard that communication. ( Makerere university) management is currently designing a plan to see how student’s accommodation will be handled among other issues,” Kabagambe told Uganda Radio Network.
As universities and other educational institutions move to reopen, possibly next week, several things need to be put into consideration to aid the smooth running of activities.
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