In a bid to promote appreciation of Standards in the Institutions of Higher Learning, Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) together with other National Standards Bureaus in Africa under the continental standards body; the African Regional Standards Organization (ARSO) have been organizing Annual Continental Essay Competition for University Students in Africa since 2013.
During the 7th ARSO Continental Essay Competition for 2019/2020, Uganda presented five (5) University Students and was privileged to take both the overall Winner and 2nd Runner up positions.
The overall Winner was Ms. Golda Desiree Abesiga from Makerere University Law School, while the 1st Runner up Mr. Steven Marvin Nsubuga from Kyambogo University, Department of Management and Entrepreneurship.
At the ceremony organised by UNBS to recognise the winners, the UNBS Acting Executive Director Mr. David Livingstone Ebiru noted that the standards body was exploring collaborations with the National Council of Higher Education and Universities to mainstream standardization in education in order to create a quality culture for the future workforce and business leaders.
Mr. Ebiru observed that Standardization is not yet well appreciated both in the Public and private sector yet it affects our everyday life in society. He highlighted the importance of standardization in promoting fair trade, supporting innovation, competitiveness and market access, consumer protection and brand loyalty among others. He urged all stakeholders to have interest in promotion of Standards in their respective vocations. He further encouraged Students to enhance their participation in future competitions both at International, Continental, and Regional and national levels.
Dr. Cyrus Sebugenyi who is in-charge of Standards at the National Council for Higher Education, welcomed the proposal for collaboration and emphasized the importance of Standards in education, stressing that once students complete school, standards can help equip them with the skills to deliver quality services at their places of work.
The overall winner, Ms. Golda Desiree Abesiga walked away with USD 1000, while the first Runner up, Mr. Steven Marvin Nsubuga received USD 800.
The winners appreciated ARSO and UNBS for the Awards and promised to promote the initiative to fellow students to enhance Uganda’s participation in future competitions.
