What Transpired
The 5th Annual Higher Education Conference 2024
The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) is mandated under Section 5(b) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act 2001 (as amended) to promote and develop the processing and dissemination of information on higher education for the benefit of people. In line with this, theCouncil conducts the Annual Higher Conferences to share scholarly information.NCHE organized the 5th Higher Education Conference, the first conference held in a region outside Kampala, at Mbale Resort Hotel in Mbale Municipality from March 18th to 19th, 2024. The conference theme was “Fostering Graduate Employability and Innovations.”
Download Full Proceedings for Conference Below:
Guest of Honour
Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza
Minister for Science, Technology and Innovations
Aim of the Conference
Conference Main Goal
Identify
Identifying industries’ and employers’ evolving needs and expectations and discussing how HEIs can better align their programs and curricula to meet those needs.
Explore
Exploring strategies to equip graduates with the skills and competencies demanded by the job market.
Assess
Promoting research collaborations between academia and industry to address emerging trends, technological advancements, and societal challenges, fostering innovation and creating opportunities for graduates
Discuss
Showcasing innovative approaches and initiatives within higher education institutions to foster student creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
Provide
Providing a platform for disseminating scientific and academic research papers and findings to stakeholders and enabling review of research findings through peer feedback.
Our Speakers
Keynote Speakers
Hon Dr Monica Musenero
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation
Ms. Sarah Kitakule
Director, Sustainable Business for Uganda Platform (SB4U)
Emerging Issues
The key emerging issues from the Conference included:
- The current education system is hinged on producing raw materials.
- The curriculum is not aligned with the value addition processes.
- Adequate and appropriate infrastructure/ education facilities for HEIs to support the teaching, learning, and research conduction.
- Insufficient Ph.D. numbers in the country who are critical in knowledge generation and innovations.
- The curriculum is not aligned with the industry’s needs.
- HE systems and strictures are not flexible in improving the curricula to meet the industry’s ever- changing needs.
- Knowledge, skills, and attitude gaps for the graduates.
- Low research production relevant to the industry.
- Few innovations developed to solve industry problems.
- Commercialisation of research products.
Conference strategies for the follow-up
- Disseminate conference proceedings to all the stakeholders.
- Develop the action plan for implementing strategies to combat emerging issues to effectively foster graduate employability and innovation aligned with the job market’s and society’s evolving needs.
- Publish the conference proceedings for the record
- Follow up on feedback on the implementation of the action plan.
Captured Moments
Gallery
Photos from the conference
