By Ruth Nanyonga
MUKONO.Uganda Christian University (UCU) is set to graduate its first student from its Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme in journalism, media and communication, marking a milestone in the institution’s postgraduate training.
Ms Prever Mukasa will become the first graduate of the programme during the university’s 27th graduation ceremony scheduled for Friday, October 23, at its main campus in Mukono.
The university’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof John Mulindwa Kitayimbwa, on Thursday, announced the development during a media briefing ahead of the ceremony, saying the graduand had done outstanding work.
He urged journalists and members of the public to read her research, which he said was already available in the university library.
“We are having our very first PhD graduate out of our programme of Doctor of Philosophy in journalism, media and communication,” Prof Kitayimbwa said.
Ms Mukasa is among seven doctoral candidates expected to graduate at the ceremony. Four others will receive PhDs in education administration and management, while two will graduate with doctorates in theology.
The ceremony will be presided over by UCU Chancellor and Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu. Dr Patricia Ojangole, managing director of Uganda Development Bank, will be the chief guest.
A total of 670 students are expected to graduate during the ceremony, the second part of the university’s 27th graduation series.
Of these, 390 are male, representing 58 percent, while 280 are female, accounting for 42 percent, according to Prof Kitayimbwa.
Women, however, lead in academic excellence, accounting for 14 of the 22 first-class degrees to be awarded, compared with eight for men.
Ms Jane Namunana, a Bachelor of Arts with Education graduand, is the overall best student with a cumulative grade point average of 4.7. Mr David Kutesa , who studied Bachelor of Divinity, is the best overall male student with a CGPA of 4.63.
Prof Kitayimbwa attributed the higher number of male graduands partly to students from UCU’s country teaching campuses, including Arua and Masindi, where male students continue to dominate enrolment.
The university expects the ceremony to begin at 8am and end by about 11am. Officials have urged graduands and their families to arrive early, observe the institution’s dress code and follow the event’s guidelines.
The graduation activities began with a public lecture and will include a commissioning service for the graduands ahead of the main ceremony.
UCU’s 27th graduation is being held in four parts. The first took place on July 4 at the main campus in Mukono. The third is scheduled for October 30 at Bishop Barham University College in Kabale, while the fourth will take place in Mbale on December 11.