By Spy Uganda
Victoria University (VU-Kampala) has today registered another mega milestone by signing an MoU with government of Uganda that will see it’s students acquiring favorable loans to facilitate their studies throughout their respective courses.
Victoria University commonly described as the ‘University of You’, joins 22 other universities, in running the Students Loan Scheme, funded by the Government of Uganda. This comes a fortnight after the same Victoria University secured a Charter; after it was cleared by the National Council for Higher Education and signed off by H.E President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Before he inked the MoU with the Higher Education Students Financing Board HESFB (on behalf of the government), Prof Lawrence Muganga revealed that the academic institution has embraced the Students Loan Scheme, to continue helping students, who are looking for high quality and affordable education in the country.
”At Victoria University, we offer hands-on, technology-based education and applied research which are essential to the productivity and prosperity of the country and the region. We always strive to ensure that our graduates have the knowledge, skills, and competencies employers want. Our graduates leave Victoria University with soft skills, quality degrees, confidence, prepared, and in demand. The Students Loan Scheme, will in effect, help more students access this quality of education,” said VC Muganga.
According to Michael O. Wanyama the Executive Director HESFB, the Students Loan Scheme is only for students enrolled in selected universities and tertiary institutions. Students with disabilities, unlike other applicants, can pursue also art courses. The rest of the students are only supported on the condition that they do sciences and are admitted to an accredited University.
Launched by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni 2014/2015 academic year; with 1,201 Beneficiaries, the numbers have steadily increased to over 10,041 beneficiaries. The beneficiaries have been perusing over 130-degree programmes and 76 undergraduate diploma courses mainly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programmes. Today, more programmes from Victoria University have been added to the portal.
Wanyama further noted that the HESFB currently supports students pursuing diploma and undergraduate programmes. He said plans are underway by Government, to also finance Post Graduate programmes and Doctoral Studies shortly; ”and since Victoria University is starting a Doctoral next year, our students will greatly benefit from this development by Government.
He added that the Board determines the Students’ eligibility for the scheme and takes into consideration regional balance, gender, social-economic needs and equity.
The most interesting part is here, the Board will be covering tuition, functional fees, research fees, aids and appliances for persons with disabilities (PWDS), so long as one is a recognized student at Victoria University, don’t risk missing out, rush now at the University’s main campus Victoria Towers, 1-13 Jinja Road, Kampala and register or you can actually save that transport by registering online via; www.vu.ac.ug.
What Courses Are Covered Under The Scheme?
According to Wanyama, the Higher Education Students Financing Board approves the programmes of study to be funded every academic year and currently, all its accredited Health Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and Tourism and Hospitality programmes are catered for, under this arrangement.
”Important to note is that all persons living with disabilities are eligible to pursue either Sciences, Humanities, or Economics programmes; unlike the rest of the students. Students can now apply for the Students Loan Scheme, after securing Admission Letters from Victoria University. We will assist our students, in the application process: which is also done online,” said Wanyama
About Victoria University
”At Victoria University, we believe that this Charter is a confirmation that we are a leading University in Uganda, East Africa, and Africa in offering Experiential and Work Integrated Learning. We are determined to produce graduates with employable skills and the capacity to creatively employ themselves. We do this by providing meaningful, hands-on work experience to enrich theoretical learning. Our work integrated learning program is enabling students to complete a program of three to four years with at least 2 to 3 years of work experience,” says University’s VC Prof Muganga.
He says VU is the only university in the country with a career and employability program, which was intentionally designed, to empower all students at Victoria University with soft skills.
”We also do pride in our Innovation and Virtual Reality Learning Centre, set up to bring the latest digital literacies and skills to our learners. With new technologies related to the development of computers, graphics, hardware, and the emergence of Web 3.0 technology and blockchain networks: the virtual world has become a reality. Every other day., the demand for virtual reality increases, and the industry represented by the Metaverse is developing: as a university, we are determined to keep our students on top of the exposure-to-learning chain. In the Metaverse, a virtual world that transcends reality, artificial intelligence and blockchain technology are being combined, and Victoria University is ready to take a lead in the continent’s institutions,” says Muganga.
Muganga says under his unique leadership, the University has widely offered a fresh and intellectually stimulating environment that nurtures critical thinkers.
”The University was opened in August 2013 and has the capacity, facilities, and determination to revitalize higher education in Uganda and the region. We are committed to playing a leading role in bringing and developing high-quality education, through student-centred learning opportunities based on standards of excellence that are unique and innovative,” noted Prof Muganga.
