Avance International University graduates urged to turn knowledge into solutions

25 September 2026, 7:08 pm

Edwin Okurmu Kisa

Avance International University has held its fifth graduation ceremony, with the Chancellor, Bp. Rt. Rev. James William Ssebagala, urging graduates to use the knowledge and skills they have acquired to create solutions to challenges facing society.

The graduation ceremony brought together university officials, government representatives, cultural and religious leaders, parents, guardians and graduates to celebrate the completion of various academic programmes.

In his address, Chancellor Ssebagala, who is the retired fourth Bishop of Mukono Diocese, told the graduates that obtaining academic qualifications should not be viewed as the end of their education, but as the beginning of their responsibility to society.

He said universities should equip students with knowledge, character and practical skills that can be used to address real-life challenges.

“The university gives you a certificate today. Tomorrow society will ask you for solutions,” he said.

Ssebagala encouraged the graduates to focus on creating opportunities and solving problems instead of only looking for employment.

He said innovation does not always require creating something completely new, but can also involve improving existing products, services and ideas to make them better, cheaper, faster and more effective.

The Chancellor also urged the graduates to maintain integrity, discipline, hard work and commitment as they enter the next stage of their lives.

He further encouraged them to remain committed to lifelong learning, creativity and service, while thanking their parents, guardians and sponsors for supporting them throughout their education.

A key highlight of the ceremony was the launch of a strategic partnership between Avance International University and the Buruuli Kingdom.

The partnership is intended to strengthen cooperation between the university and the kingdom in areas including education, research, innovation and community development.

The King of Buruuli, Isabaruuli Constantine Mwogezi Butamanya, who was the Guest of Honour, welcomed the partnership and called for stronger collaboration to promote education and human capital development within the Buruuli community.

Another major highlight was the launch of the university’s Complementary and Alternative Medicine programme.

Chancellor Ssebagala said the programme provides an opportunity for the university to expand education, research and innovation in healthcare, and called on the university management to provide the necessary resources and strategic support for its development.

The ceremony also recognised outstanding academic performance, with Erick Ntume Musoke emerging as the overall best graduand.

Ntume Musoke, who completed a Bachelor of Information Technology, graduated with a CGPA of 4.67. He was awarded a cash prize of Shs1 million and an accolade in recognition of his outstanding academic performance.

The Vice Chancellor, Dr. Kato Kimata Joshua, said first-class graduates would also be recognised and placed on the Vice Chancellor’s list.

Dr. Kato said the university continues to experience growth in enrolment, which he attributed to the demand for academic programmes designed to respond to the needs of society and the labour market.

He said the university has developed and submitted more than 40 programmes to the National Council for Higher Education for consideration, with many of them in science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related fields.

Dr. Kato said the university has also established several specialised laboratories for biomedical and pharmaceutical training and plans to continue upgrading them to meet international standards.

He further announced plans to develop a 20-acre campus in Kapeka, Nakaseke District, which is expected to focus on engineering, technological innovation and agriculture.

The university is also pursuing a charter, with Dr. Kato saying management is optimistic that the institution will proceed to the next stage of the process after undergoing monitoring by the National Council for Higher Education.

Another development highlighted by Dr. Kato was the recognition of Avance International University by the Nigerian authorities. He said a letter from the National Youth Service Corps had confirmed the university’s inclusion on the list of recognised institutions in Nigeria, allowing Nigerian graduates of the university to meet their service requirements.

The Board Chairperson, Dr Gracious Aliyo Kazara, said the university continues to focus on research, innovation and the development of programmes that respond to the needs of the labour market.

He encouraged the graduates to pursue further education and focus on what they can contribute to society beyond the academic certificates they have obtained.

Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs Akifeza Grace Ngabirano also congratulated the graduates and urged them to appreciate the sacrifices made by their parents and guardians to support their education.

She encouraged the graduates to continue upgrading their skills, embrace innovation and make use of opportunities available to them.

The university said the graduation ceremony marked another step in its efforts to expand access to higher education while strengthening competence-based learning, research and innovation.

The graduates were urged to uphold integrity, remain disciplined and use their education to create positive change in their communities.