Robert Mwanje
12 August 2009
The Uganda National Association of Builder and Civil Engineering Contractors (Unabcec) have said the transformation of Kyambogo Polytechnic into a university has adversely affected the quality engineers joining the job market.
Engineers want the government to establish an independent polytechnic school to support the developing construction industry.
Association secretary, Mr Pius Mugalasi, who is the managing director of Omega Construction, said Uganda lacks engineers and technicians to stimulate the industry.
"The transformation of Kyambogo polytechnic into a university has diverted its focus from producing good engineers. We even lack operators of heavy machinery like tractors and graders," Mr Mugalasi said during an engineers meeting at Ivy's Hotel, Wakaliga.
He said government should build a separate school for engineering related academics to have competent products in the field.
"Engineering deserves maximum concentration and time. There are no assumptions in engineering. For that matter, a separate institution should be established," he said.
Uganda Kyambogo Polytechnic (UPK), Institute of Teacher Education (ITEK) and Uganda National Institute of Special Education UNISE were merged to form Kyambogo University, following enactment of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act 2001.
The university vice chancellor Prof. Isaiah Omolo Ndiege said he would communicate the engineers' concern to the dean of studies.
"We promise to respond appropriately. I can't explain much because I don't have enough information but I will register that issue to the relevant office," Prof. Ndiege said.
UPK was a tertiary institution focusing on training middle level technicians and civil, electrical and mechanical engineers.
Mr Mugalasi said UPK had a major role of popularising science and technology in Uganda but it has been diverted by a new bias towards theoretical courses like Development Studies and Secretarial Studies.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2009 The Monitor. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
