KAMPALA– Following, the increasing number of students enrolling to higher institutions of learning in Uganda and beyond. Campus France a state agency that focuses on offering essential support to those who have intentions of studying in France has geared up its efforts to work, collaborate and partner with higher institutions of learning in Uganda.
The partnership is aimed at having exchange programs, improving research and innovation and exposure so that the quality of education is taken to another level for greater global opportunities and growth.
Speaking at the engagement with institution leadership that was held at the French Embassy on Thursday, March 16 , Oumou Diakite, deputy marketing and mobility and head unit for Africa, Campus France said that there are many students from all over the world and they realised that they are less from Uganda with less than 100 and it was the reason they were here.
Diakite added that they are based in Paris and in Africa they have over 35 campuses and are willing to build more corporation to know more better about Ugandans inorder to forge away of working with french institutions and vice versa.
She also clarified that knowing the French language or not should not be a barrier because they study in English as well, and they offer help to students settle as well as getting into the institutions, adding that there are very many things that people may not know which could be the reason for them coming to Uganda to bridge the gaps.
Olivier Chiche- Portiche, director marketing and mobility department, Campus France, Paris stressed that the university system in France is public which meant that the government with tax payers have have an upper and the tuition is very affordable , one of the lowest in world and of high quality.
“For instance for Master level one pays 2,500 euros per year, PhD it is 3,700 euros per annum yet they are acquiring the best quality education, and with this it means that most of the people here may not know this information about the scholarship programs even through the embassy they are few and with us its not that way since we have partners like: Total Energies, Master Card Foundation, Islamic Development Bank and others but most importantly it is affordable for every one.” added Olivier.
He asserted that with over 800 euros, one can enjoy their stay in Paris per month and in some cities it is even lower with every thing catered for as a student with touring, health insurance and 20 hours of work per week which is not the same else where , and that they needed to develop this through partnership and student exchanges so that they could have these programs move in that direction.
Mercy Twinomujuni, head Campus France, Uganda said that they have invited leaders from head office in Paris to have physical interactions with the head of institutions so that they can have partnerships on how they can work together and improve the quality of education through exchange programs, research and innovations.
“The world is already a global village and if the student move they get to learn and appreciate the value of biodiversity through culture, creation of connections, market for products and services, innovations, employment opportunities, foreign exchange remittances and on a light note others can also get long life partners from these endeavors” Twinomujuni added.
As part of the Institutions administration leaders Dr. Rose Clarke Nanyonga, Vice Chancellor, Clarke International University noted that they did not have much information about studying in France and since their education is much in applied health sciences and business management they are looking in areas of collaboration in that regard.
Dr. Nanyonga explained that they have had exchange programs with students from Finland , Poland and having France on board will create more platforms that will enhance quality education with a global perspective which is holistic and build more their capacity to have open- minded students that are very knowledgeable and skilled.
Eng. Joel Aita, Chairperson Muni University and director of Joadah Design Institute said that their location is the most peculiar as Muni and most times they have to position them selves to have students from DR.Congo, Central African Republic and South Sudan and with this type of partnership they shall be looking at these and other countries.
Aita highlighted that with the biggest refugee camp, they have many students who are interested in development studies and their focus will be in research since they are more of a regional centre of excellence serving a wide scope of countries.
Campus France has been working closely a few institutions and the meeting had representatives from, Clarke International University, Mini University, Cavendish University, Uganda Christian University and Kyambogo.
