Mountains of the Moon University
MMU opens an Outreach Study Centre in Kijwiga - Kyenjojo District
On 20th January 2012 Mountains of the Moon University (MMU) and Kyenjojo District Local Government (KDLG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding allowing Mountains of the Moon University to put a fully fledged University Outreach Study Centre in Kijwiga, Kyenjojo District. Among the members present was Hon. James Byamukama (Kyenjojo District LC V) Ms. Kajumba Enid (Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Mwenge County), Prof. John M. Kasenene (Vice Chancellor MMU). The Outreach Centre would offer the following services;
- Outreach community training service to the farmers, health workers, the teachers, businessmen and women and the local leaders.
- Generating knowledge through action research that will inform development actors and the community to make practical and informed decision at planning and policy making levels
- Satisfying the ever increasing demand for higher education, knowledge and a variety of special skills as the human population increases in our catchments districts. Accessibility of such education and skills can only be achieved by taking the services nearer to the needy target communities.
In light of the above, therefore, Kijwiga outreach study centre was chosen because it is strategically located to offer distance education to a bigger number of potential learners than when they would be required to travel to the University in Fort portal. The University Will provide instructional materials, guidance and support services to the learner community almost at home giving a larger number of prospective students a more flexible and cost friendly schedule.
Kijwiga is also best placed to serve the junction of a research, information and out reach community resource centre where both students, the community and development actors would access university services without traveling to the main campus at lake Saaka in Fort Portal
Below is a summary of the some of the speeches on that colorful day.
The Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Mwenge County, Ms. Kijumba Enid
Thanked MMU Administration for making the outreach centre a reality.
The centre will in turn create jobs for graduands and at the same time strengthen businesses within the area.
She called upon stakeholders to respond immediately.
LCV Kyenjojo District, Hon. James Byamukama
Coordination of MMU and Kyenjojo is like a start of a new resolution.
Kyenjojo as a district is proud to have a branch of MMU in the district which will no-doubt help the young people of the area.
Thanks the District Council for gladly welcoming MMU proposal of starting a study centre in Kijwiga.
Chancellor MMU, Prof. Edward Rugumayo
It was an aim to promote quality education in the area
MMUs big picture is to establish study centres in all neighbouring districts. More courses will be added for future development.
Kijwiga is blessed with water, electricity and land which will facilitate expansion
Vice Chancellor MMU, Prof. John M. Kasenene
It was quite timely and mutually satisfying to agree to collaborate with KDLG (Kyenjojo District Local Government) to develop and transform Kijwiga into a fully fledged University Outreach Study Centre
Thank and recognize the enthusiasm of the Kyenjojo District political wing led by the LCV Chairman, Hon. James Byamukama for supporting the Outreach study centre concept to the full and readily agreeing with colleagues, to allocate the site for an excellent cause.
Thanks to the members of the technical team, led by the CAO for pushing all paper work through the various offices for review, criticisms and approval.
Thanks to the general community of Kyenjojo
Thanks to the University negotiation committee of experts led by Dr Edmond Kagambe (the DVC) and the Kyenjojo District counterpart committee led by Mr. Muhenda Patrick did a commendable job. They met regularly, drafted both the MOU and the project proposal, consulted and advised their peers accordingly and we are now celebrating the the results of their efforts before dissolving into successful history.
“Heights for Progress and for God and my Country”.