By Victor Turinawe
For Dawn Acen, who completed a Bachelor of Procurement and Logistics Management with a CGPA of 4.91, the achievement was the culmination of careful planning, hard work, faith, and the support of family, friends, and lecturers. In this interview, she reflects on her educational journey, the habits that shaped her success, the challenges she overcame, and her aspirations for a career in public procurement.
Q: Introduce yourself and tell us about your educational background and family
A: I am called Dawn Acen. I attended Green Hill Academy, Kibuli, for my primary education, Mount St. Mary’s College Namagunga for O-Level, and Taibah International School for A-Level before joining Uganda Christian University. I come from a family of seven children, and I am the sixth born. Some of my siblings live in Uganda while others live abroad. I currently stay with my parents in Entebbe. I come from a moderate family. I wouldn’t say we are struggling, but neither would I say we are very wealthy. My parents worked hard to ensure we had quality education, food, shelter, and everything we needed to succeed.
Q: Why was being named the overall best graduating student such a special achievement for you?
A: It was an extraordinary achievement. Graduating with a First Class degree is already a significant accomplishment, but being named the overall best graduating student made it even more special. It reflects the hard work, discipline, and commitment I invested throughout my academic journey.
Q: What factors do you believe contributed to your outstanding academic performance?
A: Intelligence played a role, but planning was equally important. I also remained open to learning from others. Whenever I struggled with a concept, I consulted my lecturers and classmates, who helped me understand where I was going wrong and improve. That willingness to seek help made a big difference.
Q: What inspired you to pursue Procurement and Logistics Management?
A: Initially, I intended to study Accounting because I had admired the profession through one of my siblings, who is an accountant. However, I was admitted to Procurement instead. At first, I knew very little about the programme, but I decided to give it a chance instead of changing courses. As I studied it, I developed a genuine interest in the field and eventually grew to love it.
Q: What study habits helped you achieve a CGPA of 4.91?
A: Planning was my greatest strength. I dedicated about four to six hours every school week to studying outside my lecture time. I created a weekly timetable where each day was assigned a particular course. For instance Monday was for Procurement Principles, Tuesday for Management Principles, Wednesday for Economics, and Thursday for Accounting. This helped me focus on one subject at a time without feeling overwhelmed. Above all, I relied on prayer, trusting God to give me wisdom and understanding throughout my studies.
Q: What was your academic performance like throughout your university years?
A: My semester CGPAs ranged between 4.8 and 5.0. During my earlier semesters, I consistently scored around 4.8, while in my final year I attained 5.0 in consecutive semesters, which resulted in my final CGPA of 4.91.
Q: What was the biggest challenge you faced during your studies?
A: My biggest challenges were not academic. Academically, I remained well organised. Most of my challenges were personal and social. Initially, I wasn’t a very social person. I was naturally cautious and preferred keeping to myself. I found it difficult to start conversations with people. At the beginning of my course, most of my time was spent attending lectures and studying. As I settled into university life, I realized that building relationships would enrich my experience and help me grow. I began by greeting classmates, participating more actively in class discussions, and volunteering as a group leader. These small steps gradually made me more confident.
Q: What did you do to relax outside your studies?
A: I enjoyed running with friends for leisure. I also spent time socialising and reading African literature. Some of my favourite books are Half of a Yellow Sun, and Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Reading her books has broadened my perspective and inspired me to value empathy, critical thinking, and the richness of African stories.
Q: Which course unit did you enjoy the most?
A: Accounting was my favourite course unit. Although many students found it challenging, our lecturers were exceptional. They were patient, supportive, and ensured we understood the concepts well. My favourite lecturer was Anthony Owembabazi, who taught us Accounting. His teaching style and patience made the course enjoyable.
Q: Were there moments when you felt like giving up?
A: I never seriously considered giving up. There were moments when I felt discouraged because of personal challenges outside academics, but talking to my sister and close friends, together with prayer, always encouraged me to keep going.
Q: Did you hold any leadership positions while at UCU?
A: Yes. I served as the group leader throughout my duration of the degree program. I volunteered because I felt capable of leading my fellow classmates in academic matters. The experience strengthened my leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: I hope to build a career in public procurement. Procurement is a sensitive field that requires integrity, and I hope to contribute to ensuring proper accountability in the use of public resources. I am also open to opportunities in academia because I would enjoy teaching and mentoring future students.
Q: What are you doing currently?
A: I currently work in administration at Bridgewater Limited, a construction company. Although my role is not directly in procurement, I do administration work there, it has exposed me to planning, contractor meetings, architects, surveyors, and project administration. I started working there immediately after completing my final semester while continuing to apply for procurement positions in both the public and private sectors.
