The 74th graduation ceremony at Makerere University kicked off on Monday, 29th January, with at least 12,913 graduands set to receive different degrees during the week-long event that will conclude on 2nd February 2024. The diverse group of graduates encompasses 11,016 individuals receiving bachelor's degrees, 1,585 earning master's degrees, 156 obtaining postgraduate diplomas, and 24 securing undergraduate diplomas. Additionally, 132 scholars will be honored with Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees.
Breaking down the demographics, statistics reveal that 53% of the graduating class is female, while 47% is male. In the PHD Category, 46 female students and 86 male students will be awarded their doctoral degrees. Among those earning master's degrees, 699 are female, and 886 are male.
The commencement of the graduation ceremony also witnessed an address from Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University and Acting Chancellor. Professor Nawangwe used the platform to urge graduands to promptly collect their transcripts after the ceremony, emphasizing the university's efforts to streamline the clearance process and ensure timely distribution of academic documents.
This call is particularly pertinent in light of the university's past challenges, as highlighted by Nawangwe. In November 2022, Makerere University found itself grappling with over 100,000 uncollected transcripts and certificates from recent graduates. To address this backlog, the university management hosted a two-week public fair for students to retrieve their documents.
In response to student concerns about the lengthy procedure to obtain academic transcripts, the university has simplified the process. Graduates now need to clear with the finance department and the University Library, marking a departure from the previous multi-office clearance protocol.
As the week-long ceremony progresses, the focus is not only on the numbers but also on the individual stories and achievements that contribute to the diverse tapestry of Makerere University's graduating class of 2024.
