By Tuhirirwe Karane
This visionary programme not only presents students with the opportunity to earn a living while studying but also empowers them to apply their skills, unleash their creativity, and make meaningful contributions to the world beyond the classroom. With its unwavering commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the next generation of leaders, Makerere University has taken a bold step forward, blending academic pursuits with hands-on professional development through its pioneering Student-Work scheme.
A student at Makerere University doing a practical examination
With the rising domestic and global concerns on the ever increasing cost of university tuition, the student-work scheme is also set to create an avenue for students to finance their education by taking advantage of open work opportunities at the university. The policy equally envisions a decline in the cost of running university businesses due to a ready and flexible work-force made up of students, which provides a win-win situation for both the administration and the learners.
Despite all the good that the newly approved student-work scheme promises, the policy envisions circumstances where challenges in class work arise as a result of being employed. To this end, the scheme has devised means through which appropriate assistance is sought from lecturers and supervisors for the two to co-exist. The policy also provides for a student to initiate the termination process as and when necessary, especially for the good of the student’s study programme.
While deliberating on this policy, the Makerere University Council placed safeguards to ensure that the scheme is operationalised in a healthy and safe work environment free from sexual harassment, for the newly established workforce at the Ivory Tower. The scheme is subject to the relevant national laws and institutional regulations and is non-discriminatory in terms of eligibility for special consideration for students with disabilities.
Every work scheme award shall be valid for a maximum of one academic year, running from 1st July to 30th June of the following year. Any student who would like to apply for the same position in the following academic year shall have his/her eligibility re-evaluated to ensure that the applicant still meets the job requirements.
These requirements include admission for an eligible study programme as determined by the Academic Registrar, and registration of at least six credits each semester, with a minimum academic standing of normal progress and a CGPA of at least 2.8.
A coordination office, under the Office of the Vice Chancellor, will be set up to oversee the human resource, academic affairs and students’ affairs of the scheme as well as liaising with external partners who may avail work opportunities to students. The scheme may initially start on a volunteer basis until it is fully established with a financial base to pay specified allowances/salaries. However, payment shall be made in respect of the actual amount of work done, time spent on the job and the pre-agreed payment structure for the given position, a process that shall be managed by the Coordination Office.
The new student-work scheme stands as a testament to Makerere University’s commitment to equipping its students with the skills, experiences, and confidence needed to excel in their future endeavors. By merging academia and industry, Makerere University has provided a fertile ground for innovation to flourish and has fostered a culture of proactive problem-solving and creative thinking among its students.
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