MUBS on right track to autonomy, says official

Makerere University Business School

Makerere University Business School (MUBS) has started fulfilling the conditions that have always hampered its dream to gain full autonomy.

Prof. Geoffrey Bakunda, the dean Faculty of Leisure and Hospitality Management, said among the things they have addressed is the introduction of non- business courses. “As Mubs, we are known for providing commercial and business education but starting this coming academic year, we will come up with 13 new science courses. We are indeed on course in our quest to become independent and if all goes well, we will become autonomous by end of next year,” he said.

He said they are starting with the Faculty of Science Education in the 2013/14 academic year, which will offer courses like Bachelor of Arts with Education and Bachelor of Education External.

Other new courses include; Master of Science in Information systems, Bachelor of Information Technology and Diploma in Interactive and Multi-media Design. “Some people thought we were not ready for change. But here we are and more science courses will be introduced soon,” Prof. Bakunda said.

Mubs, which started in 1997, currently offers only business related courses. Prof. Bakunda said when Mubs attains full autonomy, continuing students will be gradually phased out. He said they were also seriously pushing for amendment of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act 2001 to allow Mubs be accommodated as an independent degree awarding institution.

Prof. Bakunda made the revelation on Monday while passing out the first cohort of trainees in Oil and Gas Management Essentials Training programme. A total of 60 professionals including; lawyers, bankers and petroleum company managers were taken through a six-week course focusing on the business side of the oil and gas industry, oil politics, exploration and environmental issues and other challenges.

Mubs conducts the training in partnership with Quest Energy. Last year, Cabinet endorsed a proposal to make Mubs autonomous from Makerere University and adopted the name Metropolitan Universal Business School.