The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, has called on Ugandan Universities teach more foreign languages so that their graduates can favorably compete for international jobs.
Rt. Hon. Kadaga made the call in her keynote address at the Sixth Annual Vice Chancellors Conference at the Silver Springs Hotel in Bugolobi on Saturday.
The Speaker said that teaching of foreign languages is important in competing for international job opportunities citing Somalia which has many job openings for those who can speak Arabic.
“Is there any university here that is training our children in French, Arabic, or Chinese? I want to interest you in thinking about training our students so that they are able to compete for jobs in any part of the world,” she said.
Kadaga also cited the fast growing Chinese economy as another area that should be targeted as the students pursue their university education.
“Teaching the Chinese language to students has a very big advantage when it comes to international trade and job seeking,” she added.
The Speaker lashed out at universities that produce students who cannot practice what they have learnt citing engineers whom she said acquire theoretical knowledge they can’t use.
“We recently acquired a ferry but for two years, there were no Ugandans to operate it. We have been talking about the oil sector but I doubt if we have any students tried in that area. The Chinese will come here and take our jobs and Ugandans will start complaining,” she said.
Prof. Mauda Kametenesi, the Vice Chancellor of Bishop Stuart University said that the Forum has resolved to have students trained so that they can compete on international job market.
“We have chosen a theme with a purpose to raise students who matter in Uganda, the region and globally. I am sure these Vice Chancellors came together today to show their commitment to serve this nation as far as raising national leaders is concerned,” she said.
