KIU WELCOMES FAWE AND NATIONAL COUNCIL TO STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIP ON HEAC PROGRAM


kiu-welcomes-fawe-and-national-council-to-strengthen-partnership-on-heac-program

By Shawn Kimuli 

KIU, Main Campus — Kampala International University (KIU) Western Campus hosted a high-profile delegation from the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) and the National Council today, January 14, 2024. The team, led by Dr. Olive Lunyolo from the National Council of Higher Education and Ms. Susan Opok Tumusiime, Executive Director of FAWE, visited the campus to assess the Higher Education Access Certificate (HEAC) program and explore areas for further collaboration and improvements.

Upon arrival, the delegation was warmly received by the KIU Western Campus management, led by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) Assoc. Prof. Eric Mabonga. In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Mabonga thanked the team for visiting the campus and assured them of a fruitful partnership on the HEAC program. "KIU's partnership with FAWE will improve access to higher education for vulnerable students. We appreciate this opportunity to work together to achieve human capital development for our country", he added.

Dr. Olive Lunyolo, the team leader, informed the gathering that their visit aimed to evaluate the HEAC program and engage with the university members to identify areas of improvement. She emphasized the importance of collaboration between KIU, FAWE, and the National Council to enhance the program's quality and accessibility.

Ms. Susan Opok Tumusiime, Executive Director of FAWE, commended KIU for its efforts in promoting education, particularly for the girl child. She pledged FAWE's commitment to working in partnership with KIU to improve the HEAC program and increase student enrollment, especially for girls, through sponsorship opportunities.

The Assistant Deputy Vice-Chancellor (ADVC) for Academics and Research, Dr. Ibrahim Babangida Abubakar, made a comprehensive presentation on the HEAC program, highlighting its objectives, curriculum, and outcomes. The delegation then embarked on a tour of the campus facilities dedicated to the HEAC program, gaining a firsthand understanding of the university's infrastructure and resources required to run the program.

In her closing remarks, Ms. Asiati Mbabazi, the University Secretary, thanked the delegation for their visit and reiterated KIU's commitment to working closely with FAWE and the National Council to ensure the partnership's success. The visit marked a significant milestone in the collaboration between KIU, FAWE, and the National Council, paving the way for enhanced educational opportunities and empowerment for students, particularly girls and women, in Uganda and beyond.

Higher Education Access Certificate (HAEC) is an academic program designed for students who do not meet the minimum requirements for admission into diploma or bachelor's programs, a program approved by the National Council for Higher Education. Students with 1 Principal pass or 2 subsidiary passes in UACE in the relevant subjects ie Biology and Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics are eligible for this program taught for 2 semesters.

FAWE, a pan-African organization, has been promoting girls' and women's education in Africa since its inception in 1993. With a presence in 34 African countries, FAWE has been instrumental in advocating for policies and programs that support the education and empowerment of girls and women.

Through its partnership with KIU, FAWE aims to leverage its expertise and resources to enhance the quality and accessibility of the HEAC program, ultimately contributing to the achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4, which focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all.