The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) has urged universities and other higher education institutions to strengthen links with industry and local communities to improve graduate employability and support Uganda's transition to a green-growth economy.
NCHE Executive Director, Mary Okwakol, said institutions must ensure that academic programmes are responsive to labour market demands and societal challenges.
She emphasized the need for universities to embrace competency-based education and training (CBET), research, and innovation as critical tools for driving sustainable development and economic transformation.
“Universities should find solutions to problems, and those problems should be identified by asking communities or relevant industries what challenges they have,” Prof. Okwakol said.
Speaking to Nile Post in an interview, she noted that higher education institutions should move beyond theoretical instruction and place greater emphasis on practical training that equips graduates with skills required in the workplace.
Prof. Okwakol called on universities to strengthen partnerships with industry and the private sector to enhance practical learning opportunities and improve employment prospects for graduates.
She revealed that National Council for Higher Education signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Private Sector Foundation Uganda last year to align higher education and training with labour market needs and support national transformation.
The higher education regulator also urged institutions to involve government agencies, industry players, and local communities in the design, review, and implementation of academic and professional programmes to ensure they remain relevant and responsive to emerging needs.
In addition, NCHE called for the integration of sustainability and green-growth principles into university curricula and institutional policies, arguing that higher education must play a central role in preparing graduates for emerging economic opportunities.
Prof. Okwakol further encouraged universities to support students and young researchers to become drivers of innovation and entrepreneurship while promoting collaboration among institutions through the sharing of infrastructure and educational facilities.
“As we conclude this conference, let us renew our commitment to building strong, resilient and responsive education systems capable of producing graduates equipped for the future,” she said.
The conference brought together representatives from universities, government agencies, industry stakeholders, and international partners to explore how competency-based education, research, and innovation can contribute to the development of a green-growth economy.
