By Eriah Lule
The Engineering and Environment Department of Uganda Christian University (UCU) in conjunction with the Uganda Institute of Professional Engineers (UIPE) Kampala Branch have dialogued about professionalism and mentorship.
This was during student-centered dialogue held at Nkoyoyo Hall, on April 23.
While the dialogue involved career guidance for engineering students, it was primarily an outreach platform for UIPE to elaborate its advocacy for modern engineering practices and global professional engineering standards. UIPE seeks to mentor young engineering students, right from the University, and support them in building their careers as professionals.
“The Law and Regulations are rapidly changing, so, being registered as a professional engineer is now mandatory,” said Eng. Andrew Muhwezi, the Vice President of UIPE in charge of membership, education and training.
“We are a registered member of the world Federation of Engineering Association, meaning even though you are outside the country, our certificate is recognized and given mandate to work,” he added.
UIPE is an institute that registers and trains graduates to become professional Engineers. It also works closely with the Engineers Registration Board and has over 16 branches, all over the country.
Involved in the dialogue, were representatives from the CADD Center Uganda, a multi-national educational institute that deals with and trains students in advanced engineering technologies. Anjua. R. Shrivastava, the Country Director CADD center addressed the students. ‘’CADD trains students in short courses. We recommend and place our students in different firms all over the world. Our vision is to see engineering progress with the 21century,’’ said Shrivastava.
Rodgers Tayebwa, the Head of Engineering Department confirmed that the faculty has a memorandum of understanding with one of the organizations. “We have a strong memorandum of understanding with the CADD, and we have also included their course on the syllabus,” he said.
Kenneth Econi is a Teaching Assistant and Engineering Lab Technician in the Engineering and Environment Department. He believes UIPE’s visit was of value because it guarantees students many benefits including mentorship and career opportunities.
“Many Engineering student-graduates go out of campus before registering as professionals with the Board without mentorship,” he said.
He further added, saying, “Now, UIPE is creating more opportunity by reaching students through outreaches to register as students and provides continues professional development (CDP)”
++++++++++++
