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10EbEnEzEr Friday, july 29, 2022 int UCU teaches schools e-learning best practices By Ian Asabo (This article was edited from the January 2022 published version) The Uganda Christian University (UCU) e-learning candle is spreading its light to other institutions in the country. Among the recent beneficiaries is Greenhill Academy, a group of Christianfounded primary and secondary schools in Kampala. Leaders from the Academy met with UCU e-learning staff for a virtual learning seminar in December 2021. During the UCU visit, Greenhill Academy officials gained a better understanding of how UCU accommodated learners virtually during the Covid-19 lockdown when in-person learning was halted in the country. Greenhill Academy Rector Joy Veronica Maraka led the Academy’s staff who attended the seminar. The head of the UCU Online Distance Learning Department, the Rev. Dr. Jessica Hughes, provided insight into how classes are taught on the platforms, highlighting how the switch to online classes has improved her work. She said students prefer having small assessments, which makes it easier to track their progress during the semester. “Online classes have provided flexibility in the way lectures are conducted because lecturers can evaluate students through small quizzes and assignments, which enables critical thinking,” she told the delegation from Greenhill Academy. The Rev. Dr. Hughes proposed the 22nd evaluation of students on a “more regular basis through videos, quizzes and questions that allow for more critical thinking to eliminate the aspect of cramming.” During UCU’s 22nd graduation ceremony on October 22, 2021, Uganda’s First Lady and education minister, Mrs. Janet Museveni, said she was impressed by UCU's “robust online education programme” and encouraged the University to share best practices with other institutions. UCU’s Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs, the Rev. Dr. John Kitayimbwa, who also attended the seminar, said the University was ready to partner with Greenhill Academy. During UCU’s 22nd graduation ceremony on October 22, 2021, Uganda’s education minister, Mrs. Janet Museveni, said she was impressed by UCU’s “robust online education programme” and encouraged the University to share best practices with other institutions. “This is a great opportunity to find ways of changing the way teaching is conducted,” Kitayimbwa said, encouraging Greenhill Academy to take the lead and show other schools that online learning is the way to go, and that with it, “the possibilities of learning are endless.” Kitayimbwa said the University has invested a lot in the networking, IT department and library database, which work in unison to provide a seamless experience for students. The University has invested about sh1.4b ($395,000) on e-learning, management information systems and networking, Kitayimbwa said. Recently, UCU Partners donated $50,000 (about sh170m) to the University to help it expand the e-learning platform. Mark Bartels, UCU Partners executive director, said the organization contributed the funds following a call by the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, for external funders to support the eLearning infrastructure. Greenhill Academy Rector Joy Veronica Maraka thanked UCU for hosting them, stating that they will “pick ideas from the session and follow in the footsteps of UCU in evolving education in Uganda.” At a virtual dialogue held in August 2021 to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on education institutions in Uganda, Mushengyezi advised institutions to consider a rigorous shift towards online distance learning and service delivery, so that future lockdowns do not affect operations and learning. As part of the Uganda Christian University (UCU) and Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology anniversaries of 25 and 100 years, respectively, this year, there will be a public lecture on October 26, 2022. The invited guest of honour is Uganda President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Planned to take place in Nkoyoyo Hall on the UCU Mukono campus, two former UCU Vice Chancellors will be featured during the lecture, addressing the topic, “The beginnings of Private Higher Education in Uganda.” The Rev. Prof. Stephen Noll, Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies, Trinity School for Ministry, Pennsylvania, USA, will be the lecturer; and the Rev. Canon Dr. John Musisi Senyonyi, mathematician, academic and evangelist in Mukono, Uganda, will lead the discussion. The two VCs were interviewed by John Semakula, head of undergraduate programs with the UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication; and Patty Huston-Holm, Communications Director, Uganda Partners. Former Busoga Bishop Michael Kyomya, former Archbishops Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo (RIP) and Luke Orombi Ex-Vice Chancellor How did you see your role as VC at UCU, and what years did you serve at the helm? Noll: I was the first, the “pioneer” Vice Chancellor, although I did not take office until September 2000 (Bishop Eliphaz Maari, the former Principal of Bishop Tucker College, had served as Acting VC from 1997-2000). Becoming VC was a reach, as they say. My prior roles in the States had been as “deputy.” In addition, I had to learn specific customs in Uganda, for instance, going first in the banquet line, even ahead of my wife (contrary to the “ladies first” American tradition)! I have sometimes said that I tried to emulate two practices from African leadership as I observed it. The first was the “council of elders.” I worked closely and listened carefully to my colleagues on the academic and administrative staff. In many cases, I was learning “how do you do things here?” At the same time, I came to see that, as the “big drum,” my word settled matters and would be carried out by the staff willingly and promptly. I suppose my greatest contribution was as vision-bearer for Uganda Christian University as an authentically Christian institution, fleshing out what the “Christian” in its title stands for. I think UCU’s founders in the Church of Uganda held that vision implicitly, but I brought experience and wisdom from the long tradition of private Christian education in the United States and from my involvement in confessional institutions and movements that had confronted the increasing secularism of Western Christianity and culture. The exciting challenge for me was to discern how the vision of Christian higher education might work itself out in an African setting. Here I had much to learn and much to trust God for. Senyonyi: I served as VC of UCU from September 2010 to the end of August 2020, a total of 10 years. But I worked at UCU in different portfolios from January 2001. I was the CEO of the University and hence, head of all the different aspects of the University’s life. Above all, I considered the importance of A Greenhill Academy teacher asks a question during the seminar held last year keeping faithful to the Christian Identity of UCU. This meant keeping the functioning of the University at its best in all its services, especially to students, as a testimony to Christ. This included the preservation and animation of Christian faith, keeping academic life on its cutting edge, retaining a committed, competent and growing staff at all levels, ensuring modern infrastructure, financial integrity, and developing and maintaining engaged partnerships. I was also intent that UCU should set standards both in Uganda and the Africa region. Why is it important for UCU to celebrate 25 years of existence and for Bishop Tucker to commemorate 100 years? Noll: Anniversaries are celebratory milestones, and milestones are important to recall the road one has taken in the past and the way forward in the future. I frequently reminded students that a university or college is a “dear mother,” an alma mater, who would ever be part of their heritage. None of the original Bishop Tucker College students are alive today, but they are on its honor roll. Most of the alumni of UCU are still alive and taking places of importance in Uganda and beyond, but they, too, will be remembered in its history. Senyonyi: Anniversaries are times of reflection on the journey so far, and an opportunity for recasting and replanning, considering the changed or changing market landscapes. Thus, celebration of the past 25 years of existence helps to maximize use of the past to build a greater future. The same applies to Bishop Tucker’s 100 years. In 2013, the same Divinity School remembered its conception in 1913; I would expect this year’s commemoration to awaken BTSDT to the new national and global challenges and opportunities facing the church and the work of mission so that her graduates are well equipped for effective dissemination of the Gospel of Christ. One key challenge of UCU’s former and current Vice-Chancellors is mobilizing funds to run the University. How did you address the challenge? Noll: It is indeed a heavy burden for the Vice Chancellor to seek funding to maintain the University’s mission. As an American, I was able to raise funding for student scholarships and for capital projects from outside donors, especially through our Uganda Partners societies in USA, UK and Australia. However, the main source of recurrent funds came from students and their parents. We struggled with keeping fees moderate while at the same time making clear that an excellent university is a cost-intensive enterprise and that investment in a student’s education is worth UCU’s top achievements What would you say are the top three achie past 25 years? Noll: I suppose I would see the top three achievement 1) preparing UCU to receive the first Charter in executing the expanded campus and its facilities on the Gospel by calling and equipping clergy an the nation and the world. Senyonyi: First, UCU has shown that a private university in favorably and even beat a well-financed public u of choice for many bright students. Among the p achieved UCU’s status. Many of their Vice Chancellors came to consult The Stephen and Peggy Noll Lecture Block the sacrifice made by a student and his or her supporters. Senyonyi: In reality, almost every problem I faced could be reduced to meagre finances for running the University. Consequently, the burden of financing was increasingly cast on students. The bottom line was exercising stringent controls and adherence to cash flows, as we tried to implement the budget. During my first years, the Ugandan economy was not too badly off and we afforded the basics

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