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School of Public Health
College of Health Sciences, Makerere University

100 Graduate from Public Health School at Makerere

Posted on : Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Graduands

More than 100 Makerere School of Public Health students have obtained their degree awards at the 71st graduation ceremony of Makerere University on May 17, 2021.

A total of 108 graduated in a hybrid ceremony amidst the coronavirus pandemic that continues to rage many parts of the world.

Of these, four earned doctoral degrees and 51 masters’, including 53 Bachelor of Environmental Health Science degrees.

The PhD graduands were Dr. Justine Bukenya Nnakate, Dr. Arthur Bagonza, Dr. Inamahoro Chantal and Dr. Batamuliza Kaitesi Mukara
The PhD graduands were Dr. Justine Bukenya Nnakate, Dr. Arthur Bagonza, Dr. Inamahoro Chantal and Dr. Batamuliza Kaitesi Mukara

At least 56 appeared for the in-person ceremony at the Makerere University ceremonial grounds –Freedom Square while the rest followed the televised ceremony proceedings virtually via zoom and NTV Uganda.

The Ph.D. graduands were Dr. Justine Bukenya Nnakate, Dr. Arthur Bagonza, Dr. Inamahoro Chantal, and Dr. Batamuliza Kaitesi Mukara. Ms. Faith Atai the best student in the only Bachelor's program at the School had the exception for the in-person graduation.

Ms. Faith Atai the best student in the only Bachelor's program at the School
Ms. Faith Atai the best student in the only Bachelor's program at the School. She graduated with a First-Class Honors with a CGPA of 4.46.

MakSPH Dean Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze extended a special congratulation to the students at the School.

During the ceremony, Dr. Seth Franklin Berkley, the Chief Executive Officer of GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance received an Honorary Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) of Makerere University.

While reading the citation for the award, Prof. Wanyenze highlighted Dr. Berkeley’s tremendous contribution to capacity building, training, research, and student training at Makerere School of Public Health and Uganda as a whole.

Makerere University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe in his remarks branded the first blended mode of graduation as Historical after the challenges posed by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

graduands
Masters of Health Informatics graduands in a group photo at the 71st graduation ceremony at the freedom square on May 17, 2021.

He congratulated the graduands for the milestone and quickly cautioned them to avoid vain ambitions and keep away from corruption.

“We have trained you to be critical thinkers, ready to face the job market, but also resilient entrepreneurs. Go out and create the jobs the country is yearning for,” Prof. Nawangwe advised the graduands.

 “With a degree from one of the best universities in the world, there is no reason for not succeeding. As you struggle to find your place in society, you might stumble and fall, but always have the courage to stand up and try again with dignity.” He added graciously

In his remarks, the Chancellor, Professor Ezra Suruma highlighted that the 71st graduands were truly special graduands having made it through 2020, a year like no other in history.

“A few months after we had held Makerere University’s 70th Graduation in January 2020, virtually the whole world shut down. Schedules were overturned, lives were lost, and livelihoods were harshly disrupted. We therefore should thank God for His divine protection upon us all and for enabling us to be here today to witness this graduation ceremony. Very warm congratulation to all the graduands,” Prof. Suruma.

Hon. Dr. John Chrysestom Muyingo, State Minister for Higher Education Representing the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet K. Museveni
Hon. Dr. John Chrysestom Muyingo, State Minister for Higher Education representing the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet K. Museveni

Representing the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet K. Museveni, Hon. Dr. John Chrysestom Muyingo, State Minister for Higher Education, hailed Makerere University for utilizing the Open, Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) model, that enabled candidates to complete their training and final examinations.

“Today, the Universities have demonstrated that we can use the power of technology to keep teaching, examining and graduating students, and I thank you. Moving forward, Government will continue to invest in ICT infrastructure and make this technology affordable so that students at higher institutions of learning are able to continue without disruption and can even make distance learning their choice” said the First Lady.

According to the Education minister, e-Learning will not only reduce the need for physical infrastructure at the Universities but save the government the costs previously incurred for transport, feeding, and accommodation of students.

“For now, we will continue to promote the blended learning approach that has worked well so far – where 1 student has both the face-to-face and online experiences during their training,” said Ms. Janet Museveni.

Master of Public Health graduands rreceiving their awards at the 71st Makerere University Graduation Ceremony
Master of Public Health graduands rreceiving their awards at the 71st Makerere University Graduation Ceremony

This 71st graduation ceremony saw a total of 12,550 students receive degree and diploma awards of Makerere University in various disciplines. Of these, a record 108 received PhDs. Of these, 38 graduands were female, representing 35% of the total.

A total of 1160 graduands received Master's Degrees. Of these, 434 were female, representing 37% of the total. Of all the 12,550 graduands, 51% were female and 49% were male.

Dean MakSPH Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze with Ms. Atai Faith, the best student for the class off 2021
Dean MakSPH Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze with Ms. Atai Faith, the best student for the class off 2021

 

By Davidson Ndyabahika & Melody Kukundakwe

The writer is the communications officer at Makerere School of Public Health. For more information Email: dndyabahika@musph.ac.ug 

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