| By Julius Aboko,
:: 09-11-2009
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In 1997, Church of Uganda established it as a regional college of UCU. It currently operates on two campuses; Mbale Campus, (On Bugishu Hill), and Buwalasi, but the history of UCU-Mbale/Buwalasi Study Center, (UCU-MBSC), dates back to the early 1900s.
"Mbale/Buwalasi was started as a Theological College in 1930s," says its Registrar, Mrs. Marry Manana.
As she recalls, the center was started by the then Bishop Wilson Usher thus the name; Usher Wilson Theological College.
She adds that, during the later period of the 1900s, government took over the center and instead turned it into a Teacher Training College. However, the government later evacuated the center thus paving way for Church of Uganda to establish a study center of UCU there.
Today, it is home to 858 students and a work place to about 100 people. The courses offered at the center are; Bachelor of Social Work and Social Administration, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Development Studies, Bachelor of Public Administration and Management, Bachelor of Arts with Education, Bachelor of Education and Diploma in Theology.
Others are; Diploma in Child Ministry, Diploma in SWSA, Diploma in Business Administration, Diploma in Primary Education and Certificate in Theology.
According the Registrar, two more courses will be opened in May next year.
"The main campus has granted us permission to offer Bachelors of Information Technology, (IT), and Economic and Management, (BEM)," she said.
The center boasts, not just because of what it is today or sees ahead, but the rich and precious records it holds.
"Mbale/Buwalasi is a great center with such a glorious history. When we talk about Buwalasi, we are talking about a center which has produced four of the six Archbishops this country has had," says Director of UCU-MBSC, the Rev. Michael Okwii. In fact history indicates that, the Most Revs; the late Janan Luwum, Silvanus Wani, Yona Okoth as well as the Retired Arch Bishop Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo all passed through the center.
Over the years, it has not only been a study center for some UCU students, but also produced the most excellent graduates.
"During the 10th graduation ceremony of UCU, five of the students who got first class degrees were from MBSC," boasts Okwii.
However, as the VC Prof. Noll noted in his speech, which was read to members of the Advisory Council of UCU-MBSC by Coordinator of Regional Colleges and Study Centers, Rev. John Kateeba, the center never grew as fast as was envisaged.
"This campus was funded in response to the decision of the provincial Assembly of the Church of Uganda in 1997 to have regional colleges of Uganda Christian University. In some ways, these colleges have been slow in taking off," the speech read in part.
With this kind of observation, earlier this year, the university council through its planning and development board established a review committee to evaluate the progress and performances of all its regional colleges, UCU-MSBC inclusive.
In its recommendations, the committee set standards/benchmarks which it directed all regional colleges to observe.
Among other things, the committee directed that study centers must; posses a separate title deed or lease for land that is in use or at least a temporary one; have governing councils; Directors to replace positions of Principals; demonstrate good financial management and accountability which includes revising the chart of accounts to follow the university system and a quality assurance committee to ensure education quality indicators.
These standards, the VC observes is not only to meet the expectation of UCU, but also of National Council for Higher Education, (NCHE). He stressed that the study centers should meet these standards as quickly as possible to secure accreditation from NCHE.
"We need to have an accreditation visit early in 2010 if we are to establish our legitimacy," he directed.
So, will UCU-MBSC beat this deadline?
"We are determined to the course. We plan to meet all requirements and invite National Council for Higher Education for an accreditation visit early next year," says Rev. Okwii.
This dream now looks more real given that even the recently inaugurated council pledged for the same.
"As members of this council, we all know the task ahead of us. We must actualize the dream and make Mbale/Buwalasi a constituent college. Immediately after that, we will fight for a fully pledged university," says the chairperson of UCU-MBSC Advisory Council, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Nichdemus Okile of Bukedi Diocese.
Some of the tasks the center is embarking on include the procurement of sh700m valued building, renovations of existing buildings to accommodate the expected increase in number of students as well as negotiating with Mbale Diocese to acquire lease for operational land.
Recently the center procured 50 computers which are all connected to the internet and 50 more are expected by the end of this year. UCU-MBSC has already revised its accounting system and its books of accounts are already audited.
In terms of student enrolment, the Registrar, Mrs. Marry Manana says they expect a total enrolment of 1,500 students next year as well as meeting the requirement of employing 20 full time academic staff.
While most of the above interventions are geared towards securing accreditation, Mrs. Manana says that the center is also focusing on many more activities to promote students' wellbeing.
"We are concerned about our students' welfare. We really want to offer them the best services," she said.
As a result, Manana said that they plan to procure a students' bus. The money for the bus, the Registrar says will be acquired through fund raising and collections from students as well as staff members. Each student will be charged sh100,000 a semester for one year while senior staff members will contribute sh200,000. A friendly rate is also expected to be agreed for junior and support staff.
Given the determination, UCU-MBSC is no doubt destined for a bright future. It will get accredited, and the dream of one time becoming an autonomous university looks all, but sensible.
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Uganda Christian University's community newspaper
:: Uganda Christian University 2008