By Mbogo Musa
Cavendish University Uganda (CUU) has continued to place students at the center of its mission, with top officials emphasizing that learners are “in the right place” as the institution prepares for its 14th graduation ceremony on Thursiday, next week.
Vice Chancellor Ms. Olive Sabiiti told the new scholarship students on Monday that they had put their eggs in the right basket by choosing Cavendish over many other universities, explaining that the institution has been voted the best private university in Uganda for seven (7) consecutive years by the Consumer Choice Awards, which is decided by students, parents, suppliers, and regulators.
According to her, this recognition shows that the university walks the talk when it comes to quality education.
She noted that Cavendish is both student-centric and technology-enabled, focusing on equipping learners with skills that prepare them for jobs and entrepreneurship in Uganda, the region, and globally, stressing that unlike other universities where students are sometimes left out in the cold, Cavendish places them at the center of learning.
The vice chancellor also announced that the university will host its 14th graduation ceremony on Thursday at Speke Resort Munyonyo, where former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, the institution’s chancellor, will preside. She revealed that the event will attract cultural leaders, politicians, and professionals from Nigeria, and the guest of honor will be Bernard Paul Mono, the acting Director General of the East African Development Bank, while Dr. Vincent Ogutu, Vice Chancellor of Kenya’s Strathmore university, will serve as the commencement speaker. High Court’s Justice Mwonda, an alumni of Cavendish, will administer a pledge of ethical leadership to the graduates.
This year, over 990 students are set to graduate, including 46 scholarship beneficiaries. Sabiiti explained that this reflects Cavendish’s contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 4 on quality education and Goal 10 on reducing inequality, since education remains the key that opens doors for those who might otherwise have been left behind.
Deputy Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Olutayi Osunsan added that the university has awarded 33 new scholarships to outstanding students who demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, or community engagement, explaining that this brings the total number of scholarships awarded this year to 65, with about 300 students having benefited from the program over the years. Many of these graduates, he said, are now making a mark both in Uganda and beyond.
He encouraged the scholarship recipients to fly the flag of Cavendish high and make the most of the opportunity, reminding them that when given such a chance, it is up to the student not to drop the ball.
Quality Assurance Director Prof. Omolara Oluwanyi welcomed the scholarship awardees and described the program as a rare opportunity. She stressed that while many students may have the brains, they often lack opportunities to reach their full potential, and by offering merit-based scholarships, Cavendish was ensuring that talent does not go to waste, she said.
According to the university’s leaders, with its student-first approach, Cavendish continues to give learners not just an education but also a springboard into a competitive global environment.
