ST. IGNATIUS UNIVERSITY SET FOR INAUGURATION ON AUGUST 24, 2024

By Ambrose Kweronda
www.mknewslink.com
In Kabale—

St. Ignatius University, a Catholic-centered teaching institution, is set to be inaugurated this Saturday, August 24, 2024.
The University aims to inspire, empower, and transform African society by providing universal education with a strong emphasis on practical skills and projects.
The announcement was made by Msgr. John Vianney Sunday, a member of the University Council and the Vicar General of Kabale Diocese, during a press conference held yesterday at the university premises in Rushoroza Cell, Southern Division, Kabale Municipality.
Msgr. Sunday emphasized that it is the Catholic Church’s mission to establish educational institutions at all levels to fulfill its mandate to educate the people of God, as outlined in the Gospel of Matthew 28:19-20. He highlighted that St. Ignatius University operates on three core principles: placing God first in all endeavors, fostering moral integrity, and promoting intellectual development to address societal challenges.
Msgr. Sunday further explained that the University is committed to addressing the pressing issues facing society, such as extreme poverty. The institution plans to achieve this by offering courses that emphasize practical, hands-on projects. These courses will equip students with the skills to transform their lives and serve as examples in their communities, demonstrating how to utilize limited resources to generate wealth and drive financial transformation. The University aims to teach students how to manage, mobilize, and use resources effectively to empower their communities.
Rev. Fr. Associate Professor Maximilliano Ngabirano, the Vice Chancellor of St. Ignatius University, stated that the primary goal of the institution is to provide accessible, high-quality education. He noted that not everyone who attends a university attains true education and that Kabale Diocese is focused on reducing the high costs of education. This is particularly important in the Kigezi region, which is overpopulated, has depleted soils, and faces high levels of poverty.
Professor Ngabirano also emphasized that financial literacy and transformation are key objectives for the University. He explained that following its inauguration, the University will work to address the challenge of youth seeking employment abroad by focusing on developing self-employers rather than job seekers.
Currently, St. Ignatius University has an enrollment of 170 students. The University received its operational license as a private institution on August 31, 2023, and commenced its first semester on January 8, 2024.
The University offers several accredited programs, including a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, a Bachelor’s in Tourism Heritage and Leisure Management, a Diploma in Agriculture, a Diploma in Tourism and Leisure Management, a Certificate in Medical Records and Health Informatics, a Diploma in Science Laboratory Technology, a Certificate in Science Laboratory Technology, and UBTEB Vocational courses in Business, Agriculture, and Tourism.
University administrators, led by Vice Chancellor Associate Professor Ngabirano, assured journalists that St. Ignatius University welcomes students of all religious backgrounds. They emphasized that ethics form the foundation of the University’s teachings across all courses, which is vital in combating corruption in Uganda, especially in an era of advancing technology.
The official inauguration ceremony will be presided over by Her Excellency, the Vice President of the Republic of Uganda, Retired Maj. Gen. Jessica Alupo. The ceremony will begin with a Mass led by Bishop Callist Rubaramira, who will also be installed as the first Chancellor of the University. Rev. Fr. Associate Professor Maximilliano Ngabirano will be installed as the first Vice Chancellor.