Uganda College of Commerce Aduku over the weekend held its eighth graduation where over 1000 students graduated with diplomas and certificates in various disciplines at the college campus in Kwania District.
A total of 581 students graduated with diplomas, ranging from Accounting, Business Administration, Hotel and Institution Catering, Procurement and Secretarial Studies while 446 students were awarded Certificates in ICT, Accounting, Finance Management and Logistics.
In a speech read for him by the Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi at the function, President Yoweri Museveni urged the graduands to put to use the knowledge and skills they have acquired to generate jobs without necessarily waiting for others to employ them.
He said the college has over the years done a commendable job in training student and producing capable students who have contributed to Uganda work in responding to challenges of the country. He said that Uganda now needs a workforce of individuals with the right capacity and attitude to serve community and commended teachers and parents of the college for supporting the students.
Museveni said that government has positioned education as an engine of development by making accessible at all levels saying education plays a central role in the transformation of society by instilling in professionals the relevant and right skills and attitude capable of responding to the challenges any society.
He said government would continue to prioritise skills development in the training of the labour force for the county to be able to achieve its vision 2040 saying Africa cannot develop if it continues importing technical ability from out if it cannot to develop its own capacity while creating conditions that curb the brain drain.
He commended the college for introducing practical based skill programs saying one of the biggest challenges facing Africa is the high level of un employment of many of university graduates blaming it on Africa’s education system which he said produces students with limited or no skills making them job seekers.
The President urged graduands to be role models in community by promote high moral standing even if it means standing alone and always treasure integrity, honesty and hard work saying they are values to and drivers to success.
The Principal, Sam Nabwana, said the training at the college is based on skills acquisition even though he said they are currently challenged by limited funding, saying the government provision of Shs500 per student per day was not sustainable, given the increasing food prices, utilities and other necessities.
Founded in 1983 alongside four other colleges of commerce like; Kabale, Tororo, Pakwach and Soroti, Uganda College of Commerce Aduku trains secondary and high school leavers in various business and management skills for certificate and diploma levels.