By Yasiri J. Kasango
Uganda Christian University (UCU) has sent out the first crop of its trained medics. The inaugural graduates from the Schools of Medicine and Dentistry The university graduated 36 graduates with the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery and nine with the Bachelor of Dentistry during the first part of the 24th graduation ceremony.
Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi the UCU vice chancellor congratulated the previous administration led by the emeritus vice chancellor, Rev. Dr. John Ssenyonyi, the steering committee led by the Rev. Prof. Samuel Lubogo, and the first dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry. He also extended his joy to the students who had graduated from the School of Medicine and Dentistry.
“Today marks a new chapter in your lives, a new beginning of a new journey. Te knowledge, skills, competence, attitude and values you have acquired at UCU will be very important throughout your lives. Please nurture them because they set you apart as a UCU graduate,” said Mushengezi.
Assoc. Prof. John Kitayimbwa, the deputy vice chancellor Academic Affairs Administration (DVCAA), cited the vision of Albert Cook, the founder of Mengo Hospital, who had the hard vision to train doctors. “However, 100 years later, his vision has been achieved through a collaboration between UCU and Mengo Hospital,” said Kitayimbwa.
He went ahead to appreciate Mengo Hospital for the support accorded to the UCU Schools of Medicine and Dentistry during its tenure to date as a training hospital.
During the graduation, a record number of 562 female students obtained their degrees, representing 56% of the total of 1006 graduates, while 444 male students received their degrees, representing 44% of the total of 1006 graduates.
Among these outstanding graduates, the highest honours went to Ghebrekristos Eyob Yohana, a student from Eritrea who achieved an impressive CGPA of 4.71 out of 5 in her Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme. Notably, all 29 first-class students were women, showcasing the University’s commitment to empowering women in various fields of study.
In his speech, the Chancellor UCU and the Archbishop of the Church of the Province of Uganda, the Most Reverend Dr. Stephen Kazimba Mugalu, praised the students for their dedication and hard work, highlighting the significance of their accomplishments in altering their lives and education journey. As they set out into the world, Go out and be agents of positive change and to remember your obligation to positively touch people’s lives,” said Kazimba.
The first part of the 24th graduation ceremony was crowned by recognising the contributors to the establishment of the Schools of Medicine and Dentistry. The university administration appreciated Mengo hospital, UCU Partners USA.
