{UAH} THESE DEGREES DON'T WORK!*

*THESE DEGREES DON'T WORK!*

By Lwanga Musisi Abubaker 

Over 80,000 students  graduate annually, from various universities and other higher education instructions in Uganda. These graduates flood the job market and fight for just about 22,000 jobs being created annually. The implication of this, is that,  many of these graduates (mainly youth) will stay unemployed for a long time. A small number may accept any  odd job that comes around; much later, leading to underemployment. 

One wonders, therefore, what the degree is supposed to be used for, if a graduate can't use it to find a suitable job. What is the degree for if one can't use it to create a job? These and many such, are some of the questions puzzling not only our graduates but also their funders. 

But where is the problem?  What is wrong with the degree? 

Much as universities should be at the forefront of any country's human capital development agenda, the situation for for Uganda universities leaves alot to be desired. Universities are actually producing halfbaked graduates.

Having lectured at University for sometime, I have realized that our degree programmes have three major technical complexities that, by the way, need to be urgently addressed by government.

First, a big number of  university  students  are "forced" to take on degree programs for which they have no interest. This individual complexity stems from their funders; mainly their parents. Because a parent "wants a Lawyer" in the family, one of his or her children shall be "forced" to do Law when he/she joins university. Parents also ask students to take on programmes that may be  cheaper for them to fund. There are also some students who fail to raise the required entry points for a given degree programme and up accepting one that requires fewer points. Such students do not enjoy, understand or get fully deep into the teaching and learning processes. Many dodge lectures, don't  do coursework or examinations. Universities have, on the other hand, failed to counsel such students to fit into and embrace the programmes. 

As such, students take everything lightly, after all, it's not "their degree". It's this type of  students who, at their graduation parties make such lamentations as: "That's my mother's degree", when giving their graduation speech. Such students are  not confident enough to appreciate the value of the degree or perhaps turn it around into a life time venture. Such students will not be confident enough to look for a job that is in line with the "unwanted degree".

Secondly, our degree programmes are too theoretical. This is an institutional complexity. Many universities are teaching theory to students and less practical work is emphasized. Nowonder, graduates from such programmes are the most unemployed. Surprisingly, even course programmes that are meant to be practical oriented like Accounts, Research, Records Management, Wiring, Computer Applications, Entrepreneurship, etc. are theoretically taught to students. I have seen "graduates" whose transcripts indicate that they studied "computer" but can't even turn it on! 

Many employers, particularly in the private sector, don't want to spend too much money on training  graduates in simingly simple competencies that should have been acquired while at University. Employers are challenged with substandard "graduate" workforce from Ugangdan universities. Hospitality and other service industries are now employing graduates mainly from Kenya after realizing the challenge with Ugandan graduates.

The other institutional complexity is that the design of most of our degree programmes doesn't  emphasise "developing"  students' mental or soft skills. Mental skills  like Communication, Patience, Time Management,  Persistence, Resilience, Mobilisation skills, People Management, etc are very relevant and practical in the world of work and go hand-in-hand with technical skills but many are not taught within universities.

It's not enough for a good teacher to master the "subject content" but should also know how to deliver the content well, respect her bosses, know how to talk to clients, manage time, respect co-workers, be creative and different, think first, communicate well, make quick decisions and be abreast with current issues surrounding her job.  

Michael Jackson was not only a great singer but possessed many other mental skills that made him "the greatest singer of his time". Michael did not only have a great voice and good backside moves, but had good interpersonal and Negotiation skills too. Our own Golola Moses (of Uganda) is not the best kickboxer in Uganda but posesss interpersonal,  communication, motivational and resilience skills that leaves his fans yearning to watch his matches.

Today's Ugandan graduate doesn't respect elders, lacks confidence, is not creative, doesn't think critically, isn't social, can't communicate well and may fail to turn up on time, when invited for an interview. Believe me, these are some of the characteristics  of most graduates from almost all universities in Uganda. Such graduates are unemployable and, if one got a job, they will be lucky to keep it for long.

 *What then should be done?* 

This problem is complex and costing the government alot of tax payers' money. Government is spending money to pay lecturers to teach these proud students who, after their studies, can't write a simple letter, can't  use the computer, can't diagnose a simple disease, can't perform simple arithmetic, can't speak correct English, etc. 

Here are my sugestions:- Universities should make course programmes more practical based. This will make the graduates not only more employable but also creative and entrepreneurial, ready to create their own jobs. Second, the course programs should be complete with emphasis on both physical  and mental skills at their design and delivery. Third, universities  should involve other stakeholders, particularly the private sector, when developing course programmes. In addition, the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) should invite the private sector (majority employer) to give its input at the time of approving and review of such programmes.

The writer is Executive Director, Centre for Education, Graduate Entrepreneurship and Empowerment (C4Gee.org) and Lecturer, Nkumba University.

"In tribute to the United Kingdom and the Republic of Uganda, two bastions of strength in a world filled with strife, discrimination and terrorism."

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