Professor Carabine cuts cake at the 2009 staff party

something extraordinary—and that is what the CIU community did. By July 2020 our campus in Bukasa was readied and we entered our new home on schedule.

Crucially, the agile CIU Strategic Plan 2023 became pivotal during the Covid-19 pandemic allowing us to be among the first 20 universities to foster continuity of teaching and learning through the approved Emergency Open Distance and E-Learning (ODeL) implementation. In September 2020 and 2021: we received approval to launch and continue ODeL and by March 2021, we had over 290 graduates ready to enter a new world of work.

There are many important aspects to the life of CIU, first among these is the university’s pursuit of Charter. In March 2022: We submitted our application for the Charter. In September 2022: We received feedback on our application and resubmitted a response to the initial review. And in May this year, we were invited for the Charter Vetting at the NCHE. We now await the inspection of the university and a final decision on our application.

This is only a select snapshot of our life in the last 15 years. It has been a bumpy ride, and it has truly taken grit, determination, and a lot of goodwill for the collective CIU community to continue to deliver on the CIU promises.

• Today the university boasts over 20 strategic partnerships.

• We continue to contribute meaningfully to the human capital development agenda of the country. With this year’s 13th graduation, The total number of CIU alumni comes to over 3600 with 90% gainfully employed (per recent tracer surveys) and many serving and leading in key positions in the country. o The university for example has produced over 20 District Health Officers who serve in various parts of the country. o The university has produced 25% of the nursing workforce with bachelor’s degrees in Uganda.

• Our research output has steadily grown from 8 peer review publications a year to 27 a year.

• We continue to receive national and global recognition and are currently ranked 14 out of over 60 universities and other degree-granting institutions in Uganda.

• We are a university that adds value to the community: o Our strong community engagement framework enables student and faculty Community attachments, Clinical placements, Internships, and Consultancies. o Various members of the CIU leadership are also appointed to important government committees/boards. o Not to mention Dr Ian Clarke’s contribution as founder of two thriving hospitals, his tenure as Mayor of Makindye, the impact of Clarke Group-related businesses, and the work he continues to do add value to Uganda. o Richard Bwire (Finance Department) o Ivan Richard Nsubuga (Assistant Registrar, Registry Department o Professor John Charles Okiria, Dean Institute of Allied Health Sciences o The Senior Registrar Madam Evelyn Grace Ayot o Mr. Silver Mukasa (an employee who has worked with Dr. Clarke as far back as building International Hospital) o Mrs. Jemimah Mutabaazi (Former Council Member) o Professor Moses Galukande, New Chancellor (Council Member 15 years) o Dr and Mrs. Ian Clarke—Founders o Committed University Founders. o Sound Governance o Robust Infrastructure o Human Resources fit for purpose. o Growth in programs o Student Services o Research Output o Educational Resources o And Financial Health

• Our portfolio is further strengthened by teaching faculty and research scientists who continue to learn and grow and make important contributions as dedicated mentors and teachers. This year the university has made available small grants to support 7 teaching faculty who are on the Ph.D. track.

• From 6 individuals around the table who cast the vision of the school in 2005, the university now employs over 120 full-time and adjunct faculty who remain the principal assets in achieving the CIU mission.

Our strength lies in the love and commitment CIU students and staff have for the university. This can be seen in the dedicated service of the staff who have served the university for nearly 15 years. Among full-time staff, we recognize the following individuals for outstanding service to the university for the last 15 years.

Foundational VCs Professor Carabine, Dr. Wooding, and Dr. Brown helped lay strong foundations for the university which has allowed CIU to thrive and compete favorably in a rapidly changing and complex environment. And finally, from 16 students in 2005, to 32 students in 2008, we now have a population of 1127 students in four schools: The School of Nursing and Midwifery; the Institute of Allied Health Sciences; The Institute of Public Health and Management, and the School of Business and Applied Technology.

We continue to recognize and appreciate that the university’s stature and reputation are determined not only by the value and currency of the university’s awards but also by the talented students who choose this university every year.

What a journey it has been; and both staff and students have contributed wholeheartedly to this amazing journey. We are all shaped by these aspirations, successes, challenges, and hopes. We know the future of CIU is bright. But to ensure that the university continues to thrive we recognize the critical importance of the Charter. At the age of 15, it’s long overdue. We have strived to fulfill the NCHE requirements for the Charter including key areas under the following domains.

As the highest endorsement from the NCHE and the President of the Republic of Uganda, the Charter is important for: Safeguarding the future of our graduates/alumni,

• Strengthening the portfolio of our teaching faculty, research scientists, and staff,

• Expansion of our program offers to include doctoral education,

• Enhancing our competitiveness in the country and the region,

• Increasing opportunities for funding and student loans,

• As well as attracting new talented students to our programs.

I want to re-echo what I said during graduation this year: We thank the NCHE for the support and guidance we have received thus far and continue to appeal to them for a timely inspection and decision on our application. My appeal also went out to the President of the Republic of Uganda. Let me repost that here: Mr. President…We have worked hard! I assure you, sir, your Ba- zukulu have worked hard. It will be such a great honor for those efforts to be recognized, and it is our collective hope that our application will find favor.

As we look back am proud of what CIU has achieved in the last 15 years. Our staff, students, and graduates are a beacon of light, a pillar of strength, a tool for change, and the difference the world needs. Importantly, we have our eye trained on a future that will see additional developments at CIU: We must continue to train for demand and the current job market. We must align our courses to remain relevant as a response to national and international priorities and employment needs. In the last 15 years, we have not blinked on quality; therefore, we must continue to adhere to Quality Processes that support innovative pedagogy and other key objectives of the university. The university management recognises that disruptive innovation will continue to change the way the world learns—implementing innovative curricula to enable the employability of graduates and the development of faculty will remain at the core of what we pursue.

Vice Chancellor