Kabale University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joy Constance Kwesiga, was appointed to head the National Council for Higher Education in Uganda as the new Chairperson. She was appointed after the term of office of the former Chairperson, Prof. Eli Katunguka, Vice Chancellor Kyambogo University, had expired.
The appointment of Prof. Kwesiga was announced shortly after her nomination by the council and appointment by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. She was elected representative of Vice Chancellors of Public Universities in a meeting chaired by the Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataaha Museveni, at State House on September 17th.
Change of Guard
Before ascending to the position of Chairperson of NCHE, Prof. Kwesiga served as the Deputy Chairperson, working under the leadership of Prof. Katunguka. It is expected that her leadership shall bring continuity and further strengthen the role of the council in the regulation and development of higher education in Uganda.
The Election of the Chairperson and Its Significance
The just concluded election was significant since the term of office for representatives of Vice Chancellors and Senate members from public universities had expired. The Executive Director of NCHE wrote to the Minister of Education and Sports, highlighting that there was a need for the election of new representatives for the smooth running of the council.
The meeting at State House was important because it filled a number of positions that ensured the revival of this council was done in a decent manner. The appointment of Prof. Kwesiga into office comes at a very timely moment in improving the regulatory regime of institutions of higher learning throughout the country.
Role and Responsibilities
As the new Chairperson, Prof. Kwesiga will head activities at NCHE. Some of its activities include setting standards for higher education institutions, university and program accreditation, and quality assurance in Uganda’s higher education sector. In fact, with her vast experience and leadership, much change is expected to characterize the sector in terms of the implementation of policies on education and promotion of excellence in higher education.
The academicians have welcomed the appointment of Prof. Kwesiga, and her tenure of office is perceived to be a period of progress and development both at NCHE and in Ugandan higher education.
