Kyambogo University has distanced itself from the news making rounds on social media platforms, saying that the end of semester one exams will be conducted online.
Professor Eli Katunguka, the Vice-Chancellor of the University while addressing Journalists on Monday afternoon at Kyambogo University, says that the University Senate has not discussed any issue concerning online examinations at Kyambogo University.
A fake letter bearing the signature of Vice-Chancellor and a stamp started spreading on social media platforms informing students and Kyambogo community to get prepared for the end of semester one exams which would be conducted online.
The letter read in part “All students who have completed registration and tuition requirements will do end of semester exams which will be conducted online due to the current pandemic situation in the country”.
Professor says that this information has been spreading widely which prompted many people to call the university officials, seeking for the clarification about this information is making rounds.
“Many people have called us regarding this information. You know information on social media spreads like wildfire; please consider that information as fake news. The university has not considered conducting online examinations.”
Reuben Twinomujuni, the University Senior Public Relations Officer, notes that they are aware of the falsehood circulating online exams and calls upon whoever comes across such information to ignore it, adding that the University will keep students informed about any developments at the university”.
Many students have been worried wondering how they will manage to do examinations online, yet they are still failing to have learning online.
Allan Makumbi, a first-year student from the Faculty of Special Needs argues that for him if what is circulating is true, he has given up on the semester. Makumbi says that he has failed to attend lectures online, then how possible can it be for him to do exams from there.
According to Dorcas Namono also a first-year student in the Faculty of Engineering, the University should find all ways to help students to have an examination at the university because everything about accessing online learning material is stressful.
Furthermore, Professor said, the University is planning to hold its first virtue graduation in September on 21st to 23th 2021. This will be the 17th graduation and according to Vice Chancellor Katunguka, over 7000 students will be graduating.
“This graduation will be a virtue with a limited physical presence. Senate is discussing how this will be done, but we expect that officers of the university will be here. Chancellor, the procession, graduate students, and the guest of honor. The rest will be attending online” Vice Chancellor adds.
The university has so far postponed the graduation two times due to the Covid-19 situation in the country that stopped most students from finishing their studies in time. Students, who had to do school practice and other internship practice had to halt until the situation normalized.
Kyambogo University last had graduation two years back in 2019, which was conducted on 11th to 13th, since then, graduation has been on hold until now that the university has decided to follow suit and do it virtually like other universities.
Kyambogo University is currently conducting all classes online, using ODeL-Open Distance and eLearning, and Google meet to reach out to students which the professor has asserted that there are a number of challenges associated with using those methods, like lack of data, electricity, and gargets to enable students to study effectively.
According to Professor Katunguka, the University is in the process of procuring over 40 zoom allowances each allowing over 50 students to interact with the lecture. These will be given to departments to help them, access students.
