Uganda Christian University (UCU) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, officially flagged off a group of 8 students from the School of Business, the School of Social Sciences, and the Faculty of Engineering, Design and Technology for an exchange semester under the Erasmus+ Exchange Program.
Four students from the Faculty of Engineering, Design and Technology will be heading to Sapienza University in Italy, while three students from the School of Business and one from the School of Social Sciences will be attending Hanze University of Applied Sciences. Each of these students will spend a semester at their respective host institutions.
Dr. Miria Agunyo, Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Design, and Technology noted that this program is a result of UCU’s previous work in international collaborations. “We had a project called DALILA, which we launched in 2021, focusing on curriculum development in sustainable business and renewable energy,” she explained.
“After successfully completing this project in December 2023, we were given the opportunity to extend our partnership with all our partners. This success enabled us to secure an exchange semester opportunity for our students.”
Talking about the criteria for selecting the students, Dean of the School of Business, Vincent Kisenyi, emphasized that the process for these students is strictly merit-based. “Once the call for applications is made, we share it with students through various social media platforms. They then apply, and we take them through multiple stages of interviews. The best candidates are selected through a transparent and competitive process, where everyone has an equal chance of success. We also prioritize gender balance,” Kisenyi stated.
Canon Prof. Mushengyezi expressed UCU’s pride in participating in academic exchange programs, emphasizing their significance in student development. “It is our joy as UCU to be part of these academic exchange programmes, as they provide invaluable exposure and skill enhancement for our students,” he said.
“When they go abroad, they encounter new ways of learning, academic challenges, and diverse perspectives. This experience enriches them with fresh knowledge and skills, which they bring back to benefit both themselves and the university.”
“We encourage all other faculties to engage with our partners globally so that they can create more of these opportunities for both our students and our staff,” he added.
Auma Angella, a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering student selected for the exchange program at Sapienza University, expressed her excitement about the opportunity. She highlighted that the experience will not only expose her to diverse engineering practices but also allow her to immerse herself in a new culture and gain insights into different ways of doing things.
The Erasmus+ Exchange Program marks another milestone in Uganda Christian University’s commitment to providing students with global learning opportunities. Through partnerships, UCU continues to equip its students with international exposure, diverse academic experiences, and valuable professional skills.
By: Kefa Senoga
