University Registration In Uganda
A university is an institution of higher education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs, it serves three particular functions: to gain decent employment, to achieve personal growth, and to contribute to improvement in society. But there were interesting variations in students’ views, which often corresponded to how much they had to pay for their studies.
Procedure For University Registration In Uganda
All interested individuals applying for a license to operate a university shall follow the following steps and guidelines
Step 1
All local and foreigners who are interested in offering private Universities/institutions in Uganda should apply to the Uganda National Council for Higher Education for a license to operate a University in Uganda.Reference should be made to the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act,2001.
All Foreigner and Ugandan Residents who are interested in establishing a Private University in Uganda must apply for a license by sending their Application letter on the Following Address:-
National Council for Higher Education,
Plot M834,Kigobe Road–Kyambogo,
P.O.Box 76 Kyambogo–Kampala.
Email: info@unche.or.ug.
Step 2
A university shall have Vision & Mission statements and Philosophy which clearly and succinctly indicate its strategic direction. Guidelines.
The Vision statement shall clearly outline what the university desires to be;
The Mission statement shall incorporate elements of the universities business purpose and values, succinctly describing why it exists and what it does to achieve its vision;
Statements of Vision and Mission shall be prominently displayed and appear in key documents of the university; and
The Philosophy of the University shall be clearly stated.
Proposal as to particulars and resources.
An application under regulation 3(1)shall be accompanied with a proposal setting out:-
Experience of the sponsor in university education;
the academic resources (including land, physical facilities, finances, staff, library services and equipment) appropriate to and adequate for the proposed academic programme(s) to be conducted at that university which have been or can be procured and the manner in which these shall be maintained on a long term basis; and
the proposed name, location and academic character of that university;
the functions, aims, objectives and strategies consistent with the needs of university education in Uganda for which the university is to be established;
the form of governance through which the academic and administrative affairs of the university are to be conducted;
an outline of the academic programme(s) intended to be offered at that university;
a timetable indicating the steps expected to be taken in the next four years towards the realization of the aims and objects for which the university is to be established.
Step 3: Charter status
Each university shall apply to have a Charter as a legal instrument of accreditation that authorizes the institution to discharge its mandate before applying for an operating license in Uganda. A charter shall be the full accreditation status of any university in Uganda.
The charter status may be attained after at least three years of operating under any other university status recognized by the National Council for Higher Education;
A chartered university shall have a fully established seat of the university that meets the standards of the National Council for Higher Education;
A chartered university shall have at least 400 students enrolled in the degree programmes;
The number of degree students in a chartered university shall not be less than 70% of the total student enrollment;
The University Charter shall stipulate the powers and functions of the institution and governance and management structures.
Step 4: Governance and Management.
A university shall clearly articulate its governance and management structures in line with the Act. A university shall ensure that there is clear separation of powers between the governing organs before operating for an operating license.
A university shall have clear organizational and administrative charts showing the inter-relationships of the various organs and offices;
A university shall have documented policies that include but not limited to human resources policy, research policy, ICT policy, disability policy, gender mainstreaming policy, curriculum development policy, academic integrity policy and Internal Quality Assurance Policy;
A university shall develop statutes, rules and regulations for the governance and management of the university in line with section 23, 34 and 35 of the Act. These shall include:
Student conduct and discipline;
Staff code of conduct;
Terms and Conditions of service of staff; and
Student handbook containing, inter alia, admission requirements and fees guideline.
The Academic Board (AB) shall:
The Academic Board shall, subject to the provisions of this Act have the following powers and duties⎯
to satisfy itself regarding the content and academic standard of any course of study in respect of any award of the Tertiary Institution and report to the Governing Council;
to initiate proposals relating to the conduct of the institution generally, and to discuss any matter relating to the institution and to make submission to the Governing Council;
Governing Council:
Be constituted in accordance with the Trustees Act Cap. 81 of 2001;
Have members representing the interests of the sponsor but, members of the sponsoring family in case of a sponsor who is an individual, or members of the sponsoring entity in case of the institutional sponsor, may not constitute more than one third of the BOT;
Have a third of its members being Ugandans in the case of a foreign sponsor;
Every university shall ensure that there is clear separation of powers between the governing organs, and in particular, no one person shall head two organs whose relationship is oversight in nature.
Step 5: Human Resources;
Before applying for a University operating license, a university shall have adequate and competent human resources to carry out its mandate in accordance to its human resource policy.
The Vice Chancellor or equivalent of the university shall be a person appropriately qualified with extensive teaching, administrative and research experience;
The teaching staff of a university shall meet the qualifications outlined in the Standards and Guidelines for academic programmes as provided for in Schedule 3; and
The administrative staff of a university shall have requisite qualification in their areas of operation; and
Every university should clearly articulate its appointment criteria
Step 6: Academic Programmes
A university shall offer programmes that are commensurate with its institutional accreditation status and that meet the standards of academic programmes.
A proposed university shall submit no more than three academic programmes to the National Council for Higher Education for consideration for grant of Letter of Interim Authority;
A proposed university shall not launch any programme until it becomes a legal entity through grant of Letter of Interim Authority;
A university with Letter of Interim Authority shall offer a minimum of two academic programmes;
A University with a Charter shall offer at least four academic programmes;
A Technical University shall offer programmes that are deemed by the Council to be technical in nature; and
A Specialized University shall offer programmes deemed to be of national strategic importance.
Step 7: Financial Resources
A university shall have adequate financial resources to meet its obligations. The university must show proof of its source of finances to run the university before a license of operating a university is granted.
In determining the adequacy of a university financial resources, reference will be made to the differentiated unit cost as provided for in the Act;
A university shall manage its financial resources as stipulated in Part 63 and 91 of the Act.
Step 8: Planning
A University shall show evidence of long and medium term plans to ensure sustainability and continuous improvement before a license is issued.
A University shall have at least a 10-year Master Plan that outlines its physical, academic, financial and human development;
A University shall have a physical Master plan that indicates the location of existing and proposed physical infrastructure; and
A University shall have at least a 5 year strategic plan that inter-alia outlines its overall development including, but not limited to academic programme.
On receipt of the application, the National Council will examine the information provided and determine whether to send an Inspection Team to verify such information.
A report of the inspection Team will be submitted and finalized within a month from the date of visitation.
If, after verifying the information at hand, the council is satisfied with the application, a Provisional Licence shall be issued.
Required Documents For University Registration In Uganda
A detailed project proposal containing:-
The name of the Institution.
The physical location of the Institution.
The aims and objectives for which the Institution has been established.
The membership and governance of the Institution.
Sources of funding
The academic and senior administrative staff.
The financial control mechanism in place.
Detailed of the programmes to be offered.
The physical and educational facilities in place.
Eligibility For University Registration In Uganda
All citizen of Uganda with the required qualification and who satisfy the criteria set out in the Schedule of the university amended Act of 2006 can Apply to the government of Uganda to be licensed to open up private or public a university respectively.
Fees For University Registration In Uganda
Application form 200,000 Ugshs.
Provisional Licence for other degree awarding institution. 10,000,000Ugshs.
Provision licence for private tertiary institution 5,000,000Ugshs.
Provision Licence for private University 12,000,000Ugsh.
For more information on fees charges visit the following Link Fees Charge
Validity For University Registration In Uganda
The licence is valid for a period of 2 years.
Documents to Use For University Registration In Uganda
Click on Private application Form
Instructions For University Registration In Uganda
You can register a private university with the National Council for Higher Education in Uganda NCHE to have the legal authority to offer higher education programmes before being granted a license.Private University offer the same qualifications levels as that offered by public universities or universities.The purpose of registration is to ensure that:
Private Universities offer quality education
The public is protected against unscrupulous and exploitative operators.
The consumer obtains qualifications that are aligned with the National council for Higher Education in Uganda Framework and registered on the National Qualifications Framework -NQF
Required Information For University Registration In Uganda
Full name
Identity number
Contact address and Phone number
Business Plan information
Occupation
Citizenship
Audited annual financial statements or audited financial forecasts
the name of the proposed University,
the location,
the mission and vision,
the nature of the proposed university and
its proposed focal niche in the current Ugandan University System.
Benefits Of University Registration In Uganda
Increased Access to Job Opportunities.
Preparation for a Specialized Career.
Increased Marketability.
Increased Earning Potential.
Economic Stability.
Networking Opportunities.
A Pathway to Advancement.
Office Locations & Contacts For University Registration In Uganda
Uganda National Council for Higher Education(UNCHE)
Plot M834, Kigobe Road – Kyambogo
P.O.Box 76 Kyambogo – Kampala
Tel: +256393262140/1
Fax: 256 312 262 145
Email: info@unche.or.ug