The uniqueness of Mbarara University of Science and Technology is its programmes tailored towards building the rural communities through community-based education. Arthur Baguma writes
Background
Mbarara University of Science and Technology, the second public University in Uganda was started in 1989 to cope with the increasing demand for trained and skilled personnel in science and technology. Since its inception, the University has passed out 1,319 students graduating in various disciplines including health sciences, teaching and development. The courses taught are in line with government policies on increasing human resource in areas of science and technology.
The three Faculties of Medicine, Science and Development Studies have all been pivotal in training health workers, teachers and development workers whose contributions have been commended by the community.
It is situated in southwestern Uganda in Mbarara municipality about 286 kilometers from Kampala along Mbarara-Kabale high way.
The vision statement is: “To be a centre for academic and professional excellence in Science and Technology”.
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Legal status
Established by an Act of Parliament in 1989.
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Student Population
1500 students as per academic year 2005/2006.
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Accommodation Facilities
Three halls of residence, one for the females and the others for males.
All rooms are fully furnished with beds, mattresses, a reading table, wardrobes and curtains. Each room has an average of 3 beds. Government sponsored students are accommodated on campus with a few private students but priority is given to students who are required to attend practical classes in the University hospital.
Hostels located within the municipality but registered by the university. Information on these hotels can be got from the Dean of Students.
The halls of residence overlook River Rwizi providing a magnificent view. River Rwizi is typical of a meandering river with ox- bow lakes that can also be viewed from the halls of residence.
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Sports/ recreational facilities
Workshops, sporting events are just some of them. Sports facilities not very developed.
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Infrastructure
The University has spacious and well-stocked lecture theatres with sitting capacity of over 300 students in the faculty of Development Studies. A well stocked library with fast and reliable internet connectivity with over 900 journals. A computer laboratory installed with hi-tech computers has been opened in the library to facilitate fast learning.
The courses at MUST are tailored at training students to work ably with especially the rural communities. For example, the Medical Students are sent on community placements where they interact with the community. Among other things, the students also carry out sensitisation on hygiene, family planning and malaria control. They spend at least five weeks on community health rotation at health centres to get acquainted with rural conditions.
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Staffing Level
The University has over 200 qualified teaching staff with about 400 employees in the administration. University staff members regularly go for refresher courses and further studies. Currently there are five Professors. More than 50 staff members have masters’ qualifications.
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International affiliation
-MUST-San Francisco collaboration-on going research studies on HIV/AIDS.
-LUMUST: Has enabled students to pursue on line post graduate studies.
-MUST- ITALIAN: Has enabled the University to set up a regional laboratory. The laboratory will facilitate research on HIV/AIDS.
-Canadian Child Health project through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) engages in community basic health education focusing on child care.
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Courses
Faculty of Medicine:
Diploma in Counselling
Advanced diploma in Health Services Management (ADHSM)
Bachelor of
-Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB)
-Medical Laboratory Sciences (BMLS)
-Nursing Science (BN Sc)
-Pharmacy ( B.Pharm)
-Psychology
-Physiology
-Biochemistry
-General Surgery
Master of
-Science in Pharmacology
-Science in Microbiology
-Medicine on Ophthalmology
-Medicine in Dermatology
-Medicine in Internal Medicine
-Medicine in Community Practice
-Medicine in Paediatrics and Child health
-Medicine in Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Faculty of Science
Certificate in Science Laboratory Technology
Diploma in Science Laboratory Technology
Bachelor of Science with Education
Master of Science in
-Anatomy
-Biology
-Education
Faculty of Development Studies
Bachelor of
-Development studies (BDS)
-Business Administration (BBA)
-Computer Science (BSc)
-Information Technology
Postgraduate Diploma in Development Studies ( Project Planning & Management)
Master of Development Studies
Short Courses
Certificate in Computer Application (CCA)
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
Key research areas:
-Malaria
-HIV/AIDS
-Child Health
-Primates and Indigenous Knowledge
-Pollution
-Conservation Biology
-Girl Child
-Milk
-Operator Theory
-Solar Energy and Radiation
Linkages — The library has partnership with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville Libraries (UT Libraries) and the University of Bergen Library (UoB Library). It also has linkages with Case Western Reserve University, (USA), the Dreyfus Health Foundation, (USA); and the South Thames Library and Information Service, (UK).
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Faculties
Faculty of Science: Established in 1995 with three departments of Physics, Mathematics and Educational Foundations and Psychology.
In October 1998 two other departments, Biology and Chemistry, were opened in the faculty. In addition the faculty started a one-year Certificate and Two-Year Diploma course in Science Laboratory Technology.
Faculty of Medicine: The faculty of medicine started in 1989 with the aim of training health professionals who are acquainted with different working conditions and health need of the society.
Faculty of Development Studies: The Faculty of Development studies started as a department providing a service course in development studies to medical and science undergraduate students. In January 1998 the faculty was accorded full faculty status. The Faculty also offers a course in Computer Science.
The Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation (ITFC) at Bwindi: The Institute was established in 1989 as a research arm of Uganda Wildlife Authority, (UWA), under the auspices of the university as its home. Bwindi being home to half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas, has to over see primate research and excel in monitoring of montaine ecosystems.
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Strategic plan
of Technology and Applied Sciences. The University also acquired 236.9 hectares of land in Kihumuro, 7 kilometres from Mbarara town along Mbarara- Fort Portal highway where the main campus is expected to relocate in future.
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Fees Structure
Bachelor of Development Studies/Computer Science/Science with Education:
Application fee
Ugandans - sh10,000
Non-Ugandans - $50
Registration/Examination
Ugandans - sh200,000
Non-Ugandans - $400
Tuition fee
Ugandans - sh1,200,000
Non-Ugandans - $1,800
Residence (if available)
Ugandans - sh630,000
Non-Ugandans - $630
Guild and Sports
Ugandans - sh20,000
Non-Ugandans - $50
Bachelor of Business Administration:
Application fee
Ugandans - sh10,000
Non-Ugandans - $50
Registration/Examination
Ugandans - sh200,000
Non-Ugandans - $400
Tuition fee
Ugandans - sh1,400,000
Non-Ugandans - $1,300
Guild and Sports
Ugandans - sh20,000
Non-Ugandans - $50
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery/Bachelor of Nursing Science and Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science/Bachelor of Pharmacy:
Application fee
Ugandans - sh10,000
Non-Ugandans - $50
Registration/Examination
Ugandans - sh200,000
Non-Ugandans - $400
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