Bishop Stuart University is tightening its graduation requirements for students

Bishop Stuart University (BSU) officials have said that no student will graduate unless they complete a community engagement project as the university seeks to produce graduates who offer solutions to social problems.

“The University Council has already approved my strategic goals for this university, and one of them is research, innovation and social engagement,” said Professor John Mugisha on Friday after taking up the position of BSU 4^vol vice-rector during the 20th^vol graduation in Mbarara City.

He added: “Starting next year, no student will graduate without completing a community-transforming project.”

According to him, this state of affairs is consistent with the vision of the university’s founders, who started it wanting to provide holistic education.

“We cannot let them down. We cannot continue to invest in research and innovation that cannot meet social challenges,” emphasized Prof. Mugisha.

Citing agriculture, Professor Mugisha said hundreds of households in southern Uganda run businesses but still face huge challenges.

“It is an agricultural region, but farmers do not know how to benefit from this sector due to challenges such as prolonged drought, diseases and poor agricultural practices. Our students and faculty will need to go to farms, businesses, communities and other sectors to find solutions to the problems these people face,” he explained.

Professor Mugisha condemned universities for graduates who lack employable skills, noting that “BSU will work with industrialists and other employment sectors to provide students with employable skills.”

The chancellor of the university, Fr. Sheldon Mwesigwa, who is also the bishop of Ankole diocese, said the university intends to develop close relationships with the communities.

“We invest in research and innovation. This should not be for academic purposes alone, but for community transformation. We will take every opportunity to see how students who pass through this institution become closely connected with their communities,” he told hundreds of people at Friday’s end of the school year.

During the graduation ceremony, Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Monica Musenero told the graduates to stay focused to succeed in life.

“Be intentional, creative, resilient, innovative and server. The world is not simple. It is full of challenges, but what I have told you can help you achieve your goals,” Dr. Musenero emphasized.

A total of 2,035 graduates from several academic disciplines graduated from the university.