Soroti University to Introduce Aviation Science Program in Collaboration with Ethiopian Institution

Soroti University is set to begin offering a program in Aviation Science following the finalization of a partnership with the Ethiopian Aviation University.

The announcement was made by the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Robert Ikoja Odongo, during the presentation of the Budget Framework Paper for the 2025-2026 financial year to the Parliamentary Committee on Education and Sports on Wednesday, January 8, 2025.

Prof. Odongo highlighted that the collaboration is part of the university’s broader efforts to bridge gaps in academic staffing by recruiting lecturers from international institutions.

“We are now engaging universities in India, Malaysia, and Ethiopia to attract qualified lecturers. Our partnership with Ethiopian Aviation University will enable us to launch the teaching of Aviation Science,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor also noted a growing challenge in hiring academic staff, citing instances where potential recruits delay or fail to respond to job offers. “We recruited a professor of civil engineering, but for three months, he has not communicated whether he is interested in coming to teach,” Odongo added.

Similarly, Gulu University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. George Openjuru, shared challenges in recruiting lecturers for specialized fields such as agricultural extension, noting that the lack of trained professionals in Uganda has compounded the problem. “We often end up hiring staff who may not be critically needed just to avoid losing recruitment funds at the end of the financial year,” Prof. Openjuru explained.

Committee members expressed concern over the limited funding for universities, which has led to challenges in infrastructure, student welfare, and research. Soroti University, in particular, was cited as struggling with a lack of teaching space and inadequate funds to cater to the growing student population.

Mbale City Woman MP, Hon. Connie Nakayenze, called for an additional Shs200 million allocation to address the welfare crisis, warning that neglecting these issues could trigger student strikes. “You are using resources meant for 100 students to cater for 600 students. This situation is unsustainable, and we need to step in to avoid a likely crisis,” Nakayenze urged.

Hon. Isaac Etuka (NRM, Upper Madi County) also pointed out that research funding remains insufficient, despite a Shs1 billion allocation earmarked for each university annually.

The Education and Sports Committee Chairperson, Hon. Kubeketereya, pledged to engage relevant stakeholders to secure the much-needed funding and address the challenges facing Uganda’s universities.