The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament has raised concerns over the high number of students who have overstayed on their masters programs at Gulu University.
According to the Auditor General's report for the financial year 2023/2024, a total of 147 students have overstayed on their programs.
The committee's findings revealed that some students have spent an alarming amount of time on their programs. "Four students have stayed on the program for a period of 12 years, 3 have spent 9 years, 1 has taken 8 years on the program, 1 has taken seven years, and 14 have taken 6 years on the masters program they are pursuing," said Gorreth Namugga, the committee chairperson.
The committee has advised the University to develop graduate students' management systems that track progress, strengthen accountability for both students and supervisors, and allocate more supervisors for better completion rates.
"We need to see a system in place that tracks the progress of these students and holds both the students and supervisors accountable for the delays," Namugga emphasised.
The officials from Gulu University, led by the Accounting Officer David Obol Otori, are appearing before the Public Accounts Committee to respond to the Auditor General's report.
The University is expected to provide explanations for the delays and outline plans to address the issue.
The committee's concerns highlight the importance of timely completion of academic programs. Delays can have significant implications for students, including increased costs and opportunity costs.
The Public Accounts Committee's concerns over the high number of students who have overstayed on their masters programs at Gulu University are a wake-up call for the institution.
The University must take concrete steps to address the issue and ensure that students complete their programs in a timely manner.