The Makerere University Chancellor, Prof Ezra Suruma has challenged the University to change its method of teaching, and carryout intensive research, and solve Uganda’s overwhelming problems.
Suruma who was on Friday addressing the Makerere alumni at the homecoming dinner at the University, said the institution cannot continue showing its pride as one of the best institution of learning, not only in Uganda, but world over, when it cannot solve problems affecting Ugandan people.
Uganda has got a number of problems that include; unemployment, poor healthcare system, poor education with low literacy and numerous rates, poverty, among others.
All these, he said are addressed by carrying out research to provide solutions.
As Makerere marks 100 years of excellence and building a transformed society, Suruma said it is time the University shows it’s relevance in providing solutions to the problems affecting Ugandans.
“I hope I will not be misunderstood to challenge Makerere to use this opportunity to show it’s relevance, and it’s capacity to reach the people of Uganda so that the knowledge we have and the research that we are doing to increase knowledge, can go down to the ordinary citizen. This is not theory, this is reality,” he said.
“We can’t be too proud that we are producing knowledge, and yet half the children who are in primary school cannot read or write. Something is wrong. We have a challenge as the highest and best institution of learning in Uganda, and perhaps Africa, to lead by ensuring the way of how we can create institutions; methods of work that are tested overtime, and produce results that satisfy the needs of people. That is how I would understand an institution. Not a haphazard way of doing work. That way of doing work has to end,” he added.
Suruma said that the degrees and knowledge attained from Makerere can only have meaning if Makerere graduates can impact the livelihoods of Ugandans.
“It could be a clinic that you are running, it could be a SACCO, it could be a business or enterprise; but as long as it serves the needs of the people, they will support it and it will grow, and our country will become better as a result.”
As Makerere marks 100 years, Suruma said there is a challenge of recognizing the Institution as an example to emulate so that there is more Institutions throughout Uganda.
On matters unemployment and how to provide solutions, Suruma said there is need to emerge from colonial and neo colonial methods of work, and ideologies.
Makerere and other Ugandan universities graduate hundreds of thousands of students, sending them to the world where job are scarce.
Suruma wondered why and how Ugandan population of only 45 million people cannot be pulled out of poverty, yet countries such as China has pulled over 700 million of it’s population out of poverty.
“If China can raise 700 million people out of poverty, what excuse do you have for not raising 45 million people out of poverty. Why can’t you open your eyes and learn. I know it is hard, but it is possible with planning and institutionalizing our processes. We can do it. Our children don’t have to go Saudi Arabia, and Qatar and Dubai to have their organs taken out. We can do better, and we must do better,” he said.
Suruma who happens to be the former Minister of Finance, challenged every department across all disciplines at Makerere University that they have relevance to the wellbeing of Ugandans.
“I have refused to accept the challenge that a country which is so poor, and in need of products and services cannot employ it’s people to provide those goods and services. What kind of paradox is this? What is the problem.”
The Chancellor wondered how people in Karamoja can die of hunger and starvation when Uganda has enough water to support agriculture.
This, however, he said is not solely a role of government, but also individual citizens.
As Makerere reflects on its successes, failures and lessons learnt in the past 100 years, Suruma said the University must not take another century to ensure that Ugandans have access to basic needs such as food, decent shelter, clothing, education, health among others.
He challenged Makerere to carryout intensive research to have Uganda’s problems solved.
“I hope it will not take 100 years, and I am glad that Makerere is concentrating on research, new knowledge to solve these problems. Not just to have citations in academic journals, but to solve these problems on the ground. And I hope that every student will get an assignment to go and solve a problem in his or her parish as a condition for getting a degree.”
He challenged the method of teaching students to memorize notes and write correct answers during examinations, without putting into practice what they studied and learned.
“That is not education. We don’t want to photocopy. You must solve problems because they are overwhelming us. We must change our attitude towards education so that we produce problem solvers and improve the state of this country. Then our pride as an institution will become even greater,” he charged.