Published on 10/01/2025
Soroti University is set to launch an Aviation Science programs in collaboration with Ethiopian Aviation University.
The announcement came from Vice Chancellor Prof. Robert Ikoja Odongo during his presentation of the 2025-2026 Budget Framework Paper. Addressing the Committee on Education and Sports on January 8, 2025, Prof. Ikoja emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative. This partnership aims to position Soroti as a regional hub for aviation training and innovation.
Prof Odongo said the partnership is part of the collaborations they are seeking with universities abroad where they can get the required caliber of lecturers.
He added that the move is meant to bridge the gaps in academic staff who he said are hard to attract.
“We are now going to India, Malaysia and Ethiopia to get lecturers. We are in touch with the Ethiopian Aviation University in order to start teaching Aviation Science,” said Odongo.
He noted that there is a growing trend where lecturers take long to accept and even respond to job offers, leaving the university with gaps in some academic disciplines.
“We recruited a professor of civil engineering, but for three months, he has not responded to whether he is interested in coming to teach,” Odongo said.
The Gulu University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. George Openjuru who also appeared before the committee, said the university is also facing challenges in recruiting lecturers specializing in agricultural extension.
“We needed lecturers of agricultural extension, but they have not been trained in Uganda. At the end of the financial year, you are left with wage for recruitment and in order not to lose the opportunity you end up getting staff who may not be highly needed,” said Openjuru.
MPs observed that the two universities are running on limited funds to the extent that Soroti University lacks teaching space and funds to cater for the welfare of students.
Mbale City Woman MP, Hon. Connie Nakayenze asked fellow MPs to allocate the required Shs. 200 million saying students’ welfare crisis is often the lead cause of strikes.
“It is really magical that you are using resources meant for 100 students to take care for 600 students. I sympathise with the way you are struggling; we should get the money you need to prevent the likely crisis,” said Nakayenze.
Hon. Isaac Etuka (NRM, Upper Madi County) observed that the university has not been funded to conduct research although Shs1 billion was ring-fenced for each university to conduct research.
