President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged Ugandans to study European history in order to gain relevant knowledge to develop the country.
Museveni, who was represented by Vice President Jessica Alupo, made the statement at a symposium to address the role of universities in responding to Africa’s problems and development needs. The symposium was held on March 30th at Makerere University.
Museveni told Ugandans to study European history and get exposed to the world.
“Have seen some people saying what is the use of studying European History. It is very important to study European History cause when you know about the world, it is like a laboratory. You can know how the world is and how society evolves,” he said.
Museveni said Africans should borrow good ideas from the Europeans and have them implemented in their own countries.
He also expressed his dismay with colonial influence that is washing away the African culture and values. He said Africans are buying ‘acids’ to bleach themselves due to colonial influence.
Museveni further said that University education must help Africas regain their confidence.
“The education system or university education must put confidence back into the African people,” he said.
The president also urged universities to incorporate integration in the scope of what they teach to students. He said universities should not teach economics without integration or political science without regional integration.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Makerere University’s vice chancellor urged the government to prioritise postgraduate studies, saying that these help countries transform faster.
“Economies of countries are transformed much faster if you have a mass of PhD and masters’ graduates,” he said.
According to Nawangwe, postgraduate students are able to conduct research that leads to national transformation.
Makerere University will in the next academic year cut the number of undergraduate students to create space for postgraduate and PhD students.
The institution has also called upon government to increase sponsorship slots for postgraduate students. This is aimed at turning Makerere University into a research led institution.
By Nickson Maberi
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