MBALE: Steven Johnson, an American Science author and media theorist once said, “If you look at history, innovation doesn’t come just from giving people incentives; it comes from creating environments where their ideas can connect.“
This explains the existing environment at Uganda Christian University Mbale University College (UCU-MUC) where students have been given an innovation hub to provide them with space for incubation of business ideas and training of entrepreneurs.
Speaking during the visit of The Most Rev Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, Archbishop of the Church of Uganda and Chancellor of UCU in Mbale today, the Acting Principal of UCU-MUC, Dr. Kigenyi Erisa Mazaki said, through the Hi Innovation project, the College is creating jobs and helping students to realize their business dreams.
He informed the Chancellor that the College has identified Staff who critic business ideas/concepts and help the entrepreneurs to refine their ideas before they are presented to the funders (Mastercard through NSSF) and a number of grants have been won.
“This week on Monday and Tuesday, out of the ten entrepreneurs from UCU-MUC innovation hub that pitched during the NSSF HI-Innovator women accelerator project, seven were successful and each of them won USD 20,000 (about 75M) in seed funding.” Dr. Kigenyi said.
He added, “Last year, five entrepreneurs from UCU-MUC innovation hub won USD 20,000 each in seed funding. This is helping young people to create jobs. For every business that wins seed funding, UCU-MUC receives USD 1,000.
Dr. Kigenyi said, this is a true testimony that UCU is effectively performing its core function as a University in terms of teaching and learning, research, partnerships and Community engagements and reiterated the College’s innovation agenda to produce job creators, not job seekers.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi said the University takes pride in being a champion in the area of innovations and academic excellence.
“When it comes to being innovative, UCU is always ahead of others. We pioneered online voting through e-chagua which has helped us to avoid violence during elections. Students sit back in their hostels, go online and vote.” Prof. Mushengyezi said.
He added, “When all other Universities closed because of COVID-19, we embraced Online learning and created an enabling e-learning environment which is extremely convenient for many especially the working class.”
He called for mentorship of young people to become better citizens and charged staff to respect those they supervise.
“How do we groom those we supervise? By the time you end your term, you should have groomed those to take over from you to avoid causing any form of crisis. Ask yourself, are you a mentor or tormentor?” Prof. Mushengyezi asked.
He added, “Our marking scheme as UCU is excellence. When our intern Doctors went to Mulago Hospital, all their supervisors gave excellent reports about them because they said that they are different in the way they behave and in ethics. It’s all about excellence.”
The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda and Chancellor of Uganda Christian University, The Most Rev Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu called for unity, reconciliation and keeping of integrity.
“Let us work together for service and growth. We must work together to grow together and ensure that we keep our University growing in excellence even in bad times. Let us avoid giving negative publicity about our beloved University.” Archbishop Kaziimba advised.
He called upon students and staff to be resilient and persistent even when they get different challenges.
“These challenges are training grounds for our growth. Every challenge is a training school for growth. We must learn from our challenges if we want to grow. Your setback can be your set up for your comeback. Don’t be diverted” Archbishop Kaziimba said.
He added, “When God puts you somewhere, he can never abandon you. God can raise you from being unseen to being seen, from being uncriticized to being criticized and from being unqualified, qualifies you and sends you to serve him.”
Earlier today, Archbishop Kaziimba had a meeting with Student leaders and the sports team, Staff and concluded his Pastoral Visit to UCU-MUC with a holy communion service at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Mbale.
During the visit, the Archbishop/Chancellor was accompanied by the Bishop of Mbale Diocese, Rt Rev. John Wilson Nandaah, the Bishop of Sebei Diocese, Rt Rev Paul Kiptoo Masaba, Deputy Vice Chancellors of UCU and other dignitaries.
After his Pastoral Visit to UCU-MUC, he proceeded with other ministerial obligations in Mbale Diocese where he will be until Monday, 20th March 2023.
