Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Priscilla Maloba
Published on 2024-02-01 10:30:46
Papa Were Salim, the 84th guild president of Makerere University, has finally graduated after a decade of studying. He was among the 212 students who graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB) yesterday.
Papa served as the guild president during the academic year 2017/2018 and has been pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine, a course that typically lasts for five years. He joined the university in 2013 and was initially supposed to graduate in 2019, but due to various challenges, it took him an additional two years to complete his degree. Despite the delays, he remained persistent and hopeful of reaching graduation day.
During his time at the university, Papa encountered challenges with missing marks and had to fund his education in the years that followed the government-sponsored period. Despite these obstacles, he found success outside of his studies, engaging in business ventures such as money remittance both within and outside the country.
When asked about his feelings upon graduating, Papa expressed his happiness and congratulated his fellow graduates. He also emphasized the importance of perseverance and thanked his supportive lecturers for helping him throughout his journey.
Makerere University vice chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, clarified the institution’s policy on the duration of students’ stay, highlighting that students can extend the time frame of their course to a certain limit. According to Prof Nawangwe, Papa Were’s extended duration fell within the allowable limit, making his graduation timely.
Papa gained national attention during his time as guild president when he and his council rejected a proposal to increase tuition fees by as much as 91%. The ensuing demonstrations by students led to the policy’s suspension, highlighting Papa’s impact on the university community during his tenure.
The week-long graduation ceremony, spanning from Monday to tomorrow, marks the culmination of years of hard work and dedication for the graduates. As Papa Were Salim and his fellow students receive their diplomas, they celebrate their academic achievements and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.
Read the original article on Uganda Monitor
