Prof. Benon Basheka has advised the academia on improving student skills and attitude other than only providing knowledge if they are to build sustainable partnerships with industry players.

Delivering a keynote speech during an Education Symposium held at Hotel Africana, in Kampala, Basheka encouraged the academic to seek partnerships rather than waiting for them to happen miraculously.

“Use a variety of acceptable industry oriented teaching methodologies especially case based ones and make the industry part of the curriculum development process,” he advised participants.

Representing Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, Basheka also urged industry players to be eager to learn and develop programs adding that to do that , they will have to regularly pay visits to higher institutions of learning.

He also recommend clear rewarding and recognition of academic research outputs, organizing more industry inclined workshops or engagements and incorporating projects into the curricula.

“While it is important to sign as many MoU‘s as possible, it is also key to be mindful of partners who are competitors because you could lose all” he warned.

Prof. Basheka urged students to focus on realistic expectations and change the belief that the degree will get them a job.

“Students should create more interface with the industry through engagement, internship and voluntary work, undertake cutting edge and industry oriented research because the industry needs a multi-skilled graduate, ” he advised.

To implement and monitor the progress of partnerships, Basheka advised both the academia and industry players to set up liaison offices to oversee the partnerships, agreeing on mutual benefits before the partnership kicks off and ensuring reliability and mutual trust.

“Never take money and run or hide from your contact when problems occur, just be upfront and honest for mutual benefit, “he said.

In conclusion, Prof Basheka said in order for Universities to secure access to economic resources for research and other academic activities, more demands will be placed on the benefit of what they produce for commercial or other societal development in the short and long term.

  Education News, Prof. Benon Basheka, UTAMU