BISHOP STUART UNIVERSITY BRIEFS MEDIA ON E- LEARNING, GRADUATION AMIDST COVID 19

By our reporter

www.mknewslink.com

In Mbarara—

Prof. Maud Kamatenesi Mugisha, the Vice-Chancellor Bishop Stuart University yesterday evening had a press briefing with different media houses on the way forward for Higher Education studies and Graduation programs in regard to the Covid-19 pandemic wave.

The press briefing majorly aimed at enlightening University students’ body and the entire public on E-Learning and Graduation programs at Bishop Stuart University.

The following Key concerns were highlighted;

16^th Graduation (virtual); Final year students have concluded their exams and the University is going to hold her 16^th virtual graduationon26th March 2021. The university had earlier settled for January 29^th 2021 but they realized that there were students who were still on internship who would miss out.

E-Learning (ODeL); Bishop Stuart University has wholesomely embraced the guidelines from the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) and developed an E-Learning policy and ODeL policy that were approved by the University Senate and Council.

In the ODeL system, they have both face-to-face and online learning. Last semester, students studied online and they came for face to face during examination last year November/December 2020. The university is happy to report that it was successful.

NITA Uganda:  NITA Uganda has given the University a free zoom licence with 50 accounts for individual lecturers as a supplement to other online platforms that they already have. This is in addition to the earlier given 5 free zoom accounts. This is aimed at boosting their e-learning program.

Staff and students to get computers: All staff will be supported to acquire laptops through their gratuity scheme in order to become IT compliant in a bid to facilitate on-line learning.  Plans are underway to sign an MOU with African Power Initiative Limited (APIL) for all students to be helped by paying in installments.

Finalists and continuing students; these will begin a blended (online and face-to-face) learning on 15^th February 2021 as per the government plan to reopen institutions of learning.

Reporting of 1^st year Students for Academic Year 2021/2022:  The students reported on January 18^th 2021 for face to face and orientation is on-going.

They are the only ones in the university with enough space to move on following the Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Pre- Entry exams:   1st-year students on Bachelor of Laws sat for their compulsory pre-entry examinations and they are ready to start with others.

Agro-studies in Israel:  The University is in partnership with Israel where it sends its students for a one-year placement for practical work on agriculture and agribusiness studies. This year 17 students went for internship.

HESFEB Students: 85 students have been awarded government loan to pursue Bachelors and Diploma programs for Academic Year 2020/2021.

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