#KIU34thGrad: I Found My Purpose in Pharmacy, Leadership and Service at KIU

By: Doreen Kemigisha - Bachelor of Pharmacy

As I prepare to graduate from Kampala International University (KIU) with a Bachelor of Pharmacy, I do so with a deep sense of gratitude. What began as a dream of becoming a pharmacist evolved into a journey of leadership, service, research, and personal growth.

My time at KIU taught me that university education is not only about acquiring academic knowledge. It is also about discovering one's potential, embracing opportunities, and building the confidence and values needed to make a meaningful contribution to society.

Leadership became one of the most fulfilling aspects of my time at the University. As KIU Pharmacy Students' Association (KIUPSA) Minister of Education from 2023 to 2024, I contributed to the academic development of fellow pharmacy students. During my tenure, I was involved in establishing the KIUPSA Research and Innovation Club, which encouraged students to explore research, creativity, and innovation beyond the classroom.

My passion for health advocacy also found expression through my role as a Peer Educator under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) O3 PLUS programme, a position I have held since 2023. Through this platform, I participated in promoting health awareness, HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health, and mental health awareness among students.

I later served as Minister of Gender and Social Affairs in the KIU Western Campus 11th Guild Government, where I contributed to student welfare, inclusion, and representation. These responsibilities strengthened my commitment to teamwork, accountability, and service.

Among the highlights of my university life was representing KIU at the International Summer School, an academic exchange programme involving Utrecht University in the Netherlands and KIU. The programme exposed me to academic collaboration and international perspectives on global challenges, particularly digital misinformation. It also reinforced the value of learning from different cultures and educational environments.

Balancing academics with leadership, research, and community engagement was not always easy. However, those responsibilities taught me discipline, resilience, and time management. They also reminded me that education is measured not only by grades, but by the skills, confidence, and character we develop along the way.

I aspire to pursue postgraduate studies and deepen my expertise in pharmaceutical sciences through an integrated postgraduate and doctoral pathway. My goal is to contribute to healthcare, research, public health, and youth empowerment.

I remain grateful to God, my family, lecturers, mentors, and colleagues who supported me throughout this journey. I came to KIU with the dream of becoming a pharmacist. I leave with much more: leadership experience, research exposure, meaningful connections, and a stronger commitment to using my knowledge and skills to serve others.