The MTN Foundation and Uganda Christian University have entered into a partnership aimed at equipping the youth with the key digital skills required in the effort to bridge the gap in digital literacy among Ugandan youth and make students fit for a rapidly changing job market. This partnership was sealed with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between MTN Uganda and UCU, reechoing their joint commitment toward economic development through education and technology.
This is now being further developed to incorporate the MTN Skills Academy into the UCU curriculum, especially in the Foundational Basic Computing unit. The approach is meant to introduce students to practically applicable digital skills with a strong foundation that will significantly enhance their academic and professional prospects. In October 2022, MTN launched the Skills Academy at the Mobile World Congress Africa in Kigali. This is part of the MTN Digital Skills for Digital Jobs initiative and in line with the African Union’s ‘Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa’ and MTN Ambition 2025.
Since its introduction in September 2023, MTN Skills Academy has enrolled more than 1,420 youths through its partnership with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, National ICT Innovation Hub, American Tower Cooperation-ATC, and Huawei. The program addresses two critical challenges – unemployment and limited opportunity – through a low digital literacy rate, especially among Uganda’s youth, where more than 75 percent of its population is below age 30.
Stephen Mutana, the Chief Strategy and Stakeholder Officer at MTN Mobile Money Uganda Ltd., said digital skills are a must-have in today’s economy. “We believe at MTN Uganda that everyone should enjoy the fruits of this modern connected life, irrespective of background or status, and this includes opportunity.” He added that the partnership with UCU is symbolic of one pivotal chapter in MTN’s quest to ensure that every young Ugandan is equipped with digital skills he or she needs to thrive.
David Mugawe, the Vice-Chancellor of Uganda Christian University, said that he was excited about the partnership, saying this would enhance the UCU curriculum in addition to giving students priceless skills training in digital technologies. He indicated that UCU is committed to academic excellence and ensuring students are relevant to life.
This signing of the MoU epitomizes the great working relationship between the private sector and academia in driving Uganda’s digital agenda. It points out the collective responsibility to have the youth equipped with the skills that shall lead Uganda into a digitally empowered future.
Besides the MTN Skills Academy, MTN Foundation has continued to pursue other initiatives toward this cause, which includes the MTN ACE program, MTN Internet Bus, and equipping educational institutions with computers. This partnership with UCU goes to reassure commitment in ensuring that the youth of Uganda are well-equipped to respond to opportunities and challenges of a digitized age.
