Uganda Christian University will graduate its first doctoral student in Journalism, Media and Communication as 670 students receive awards during the institution’s 27th graduation series in Mukono.
Uganda Christian University (UCU) is set to graduate its first Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) student in Journalism, Media and Communication during its 27th graduation ceremony scheduled for Friday, October 23, at the university’s main campus in Mukono.
Prever Mukasa will become the first graduate of the doctoral programme, marking a milestone in the university’s postgraduate academic training.
UCU Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. John Mulindwa Kitayimbwa, announced the development during a media briefing ahead of the ceremony, describing it as a major accomplishment for the institution.
He encouraged journalists and members of the public to read Mukasa’s research, which he said was available in the university library.
“We are having our very first PhD graduate out of our programme of Doctor of Philosophy in journalism, media and communication,” Kitayimbwa said.
Mukasa is among seven doctoral candidates expected to graduate. Four will receive PhDs in Education Administration and Management, while two will graduate with doctorates in Theology.
The ceremony will be presided over by UCU Chancellor and Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu. Dr Patricia Ojangole, managing director of Uganda Development Bank, will be the chief guest.
A total of 670 students are expected to graduate during the ceremony, the second part of UCU’s 27th graduation series.
According to Kitayimbwa, 390 graduands are male, representing 58 per cent of the total, while 280 are female, accounting for 42 per cent.
Despite the higher number of male graduands, women are expected to account for 14 of the 22 first-class degrees to be awarded. Men will receive the remaining eight.
Jane Namunana, a Bachelor of Arts with Education graduand, is the overall best student, with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.70.
David Kutesa, a Bachelor of Divinity graduand, is the best overall male student, with a CGPA of 4.63.
Kitayimbwa attributed the higher number of male graduands partly to enrolment patterns at UCU’s regional teaching campuses, including Arua and Masindi, where male students continue to dominate.
Meanwhile, Congolese students at UCU are expected to graduate without their parents on Friday after reported Ebola-related travel restrictions disrupted family visits from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The students, who have spent years pursuing their academic qualifications in Uganda, will celebrate the milestone without their families, prompting the university to arrange special support during the ceremony.
Kitayimbwa said the university would support the affected students, including by organising a special meal to help them feel included on their graduation day.
“Some of them are Congolese, but they have had to live here without the visitation of their parents,” Kitayimbwa said during a media briefing at the university on Thursday.
He said cross-border travel restrictions were beyond the university’s control, noting that such decisions were handled at the national level.
“We cannot manage that as a university, but it is something that is managed at a national level,” he said.
Despite their parents’ absence, Kitayimbwa said the university was committed to ensuring the affected students felt supported as they marked the culmination of their academic journey.