By Asenath Were
In 2022, the administration of Uganda Christian University (UCU) shifted the school of business to Ankrah.
Vincent Kisenyi, the dean of the School of Business, was asked by the university administration to move the school to Ankrah. He expressed his gratitude that the school would have enough space to house all the activities of the school.
According to Kisenyi, school is not only about students but also the infrastructure that supports service delivery. They could not get any better place than Ankrah, where they have enough lecture room space, a good stuff room, etcetera, which in this case makes Ankrah the best place.
“We were affected positively in terms of service delivery; however, one thing you may find is that coming up the hill maybe a problem, but that too can change over time, especially based on one’s attitude.” Kisenyi commented.
He pointed out that the university is so committed to making sure that it is a safe place for students to have their lectures because, according to him, there is no compromise on students safety.
The students from the School of Business welcomed the idea of shifting the school to Ankrah. Kevin Niyigaba, a student of tourism and hospitality management in her second year, commended the administration for moving them to Ankrah because it is favorable to her course and a training ground for them to get used to climbing hills since that’s what tourists do
“It is really good that we shifted to Ankrah because according to the course we are doing, that is where we are going. We normally climb hills, learning about the plant, animal, and bird kingdoms, so this environment is conducive for that.” Niyigaba said.
Amos Marak, who is pursuing BBA, says that it is partly good for the school of business to move to Ankrah due to the fact that UCU is growing and the business foundation as well, which calls for independence of the school from other schools at the university like law.
Marak requests that the school work on the infrastructure of the place because, being a hotel, it is not set up for education but requires additions that will make it look like a school, which, to Marak, includes an accounts office to go with the administration office, thereby making it complete.
Shadrach Nyende, a student of Business Administration in year three, thought shifting to Ankrah was a good cause; however, to a greater extent, it came with big challenges that are inevitable to the learning experience.
“When you look at our timetables, most of our classes take place at Ankrah, and we have to move from down to up every morning after lunch, etcetera., so the challenge is that the timetable is not favorable; there are days you find yourself walking back and forth around three times. Nyende stated.
Sandra Ingima, who is pursuing a BBA, does not think moving to Ankrah was the right timing because, as residents, they are facing challenges that include issues with plumbing, power issues, and so on, making it hard to believe that the school was ready for the big move.
“The biggest challenge we have had is having someone’s room flood with waste from the washroom, but then I think they are trying hard to work on the issues because we have had plumbers come in and out; however, the process is long.”
She recommends the school to start providing for them meals because according to her, she thinks they are supposed to be treated like residents where the service providers are meant to bring them meals as they do for other affiliated hostels after paying the DH.
Daphne Dorothy Nalubiri an accounting student, requests the school to work on the security lights to enable them walk back up safely at night and a standby generator incase power blacks out because when power goes, they have nothing to rely on and yet they have projects and coursework to work on.
Daphne Dorothy Nalubiri an accounting student, requests the school to work on the security lights to enable them walk back up safely at night and a standby generator incase power blacks out because when power goes, they have nothing to rely on and yet they have projects and coursework to work on.
Bridget Mugume, Director of Student’s Affairs at UCU said Ankrah, being a new facility, they have just taken on, they are still in the process of making it better and are well aware of the great need for a service center.
“We have just finished the bidding process and out of those people who have the interest of providing a service for the canteen, we are going to pick somebody who will go up there and serve the students, we are hoping that by next semester, there should be a service provider uphill.” Mugume said.
She says that, students have a choice, that is to say, those who do not want to stay in Ankrah can stay on campus “ so by the time you choose to go and stay in Ankrah, it means whatever burden is there like walking downhill or moving up, you truly understand it because you make an informed decision.” She emphasized.
Kisenyi points out that the university is so committed to making sure that it is a safe place for students to have their lectures because according to him, there is no compromise on students safety.
