Islamic University In Uganda:

A Success Story of a Muslim Minority

Institution

Opening remarks

Thank AllahThank IIITThank founders – OIC & GoUThank Development partners – ISF, IDB,

KSA, ..All Guests

Introduction Universities are the pinnacle of the

education ladder.Expected to:

Teach already available knowledge Create new knowledge through research Serve the social good. Produce graduates who possess human values

that can make them global citizensUniversities reflect what is happening insociety generally

IntroductionOn 10/2/1988, that is 2½ decades ago, a new dawn was

ushered in the sector of Higher education in Uganda.

On that day, ¼ of a century ago, the horizon of University education in Uganda was extended beyond the reach of Makerere University.

It was on that day, 10/2/1988, that Uganda’s 2nd University, but 1st Private University was born. From that day on both the history & future of university education in Uganda was altered.

History1974 Lahore SummitPurpose: Provide education opportunities

for socio-economic developmentLocation: Arivu in Arua District1979 - 1986: Period of uncertainty.

Location changed to Mbale in Obote IINov. 26, 1987: Bilateral Agreement

between OIC & GoU signed.Joint Committee of OIC & GoU

History …Sept 1987 Joint Committee agreed that

Nkoma SS to be taken up.GoU to second pioneer staff to start the

University in Dec. 1987.Nov. 1987 pioneer staff took over

Nkoma ss & started preparations.January 31, 1988: Joint Committee

meeting in Mbale decided to open on 10th February, 1988. Late Hon. Alhajj Abubaker Mayanja as acting Rector

History …Initial challenges:• Renovate the facilities• Convert a day school into a boarding university• Decide on what is to be taught, design the

curriculum• Set up teaching-learning facilities – library,

books, • Recruit students• Recruit staff• Convince the country & the world that IUIU was

indeed a University.• Over come internal Muslim contradictions

History …

Opportunities The OIC wanted the University to

start H.E. the President & his Government

wanted the University to start Makerere University could not admit

all the qualified students. There were people who were

prepared to sacrifice to get the university moving.

The BeginningFebruary 10, 198880 students – all Ugandans2 degree programmes –

BA with Education – 3 years BA (Islamic Studies & Arabic Language.) – 4 years

Is it true? Wait and see.

Makerere Model of a University

Though private, IUIU started like a public University providing: Free education – full board Free stationery Transport to and from home district – air tickets Boom – (Pocket money)

The curriculum was basically the same as that of MUK

IUIU added the moral component – dress code, No free mixing, emphasis on other human values, etc

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VisionThe university was envisioned to “be

a centre of excellence in the production and dissemination of knowledge that contribute to relevant skills as well as appropriate training necessary for production of an all round believing individual capable of participating fully in his/her society”.

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MissionThe university “aspires to function as a highly

academic and cultural institution based on Islam and love of the country. It aims at promoting and enhancing the civilization and scientific influence of Islam and physical world to produce well-cultured, morally-upright graduates of sound character, equipped with useful skills and knowledge, to enable them participate positively in the development process of their countries”.

Wakeup CallBy 1991, we had started experiencing financial

hardships – realisation that free University education was not sustainable.

Internal contradictions were also not absent – leading to the 1993 crisis. Prof. Haq out & hon. Ali K.K. appointed acting Rector

1994 Prof. Mahdi Adamu appointed Rector. Internal stability but funding was still a problem.

Change Model1995 introduced fees – stopped all

previous privileges.

This pay-as-you-study policy helped to mitigate some of the financial hardships of the University but it also created other challenges: What happens to the brilliant but poor students? How much fees is affordable & enough to enable

the University offer quality education?

Fees not enoughSoon it was clear that fees alone were not enough

to meet the needs of a University. Besides, while the unit cost of education a

student at IUIU at that time was about US$1,500 per year, the students were paying on about US$ 600! Even then about 20% of the students would fail to raise the money.

Administrative Challenges

1995 – 2004:unpaid salaries & statutory obligations; lack of infrastructural development, shortage of basic teaching facilities, etc.

Strikes, court case, etc

Change in Approach2004 change in management which adopted a new

approach after reviewing many of the policies that were operating before then.

Focus was put on finding ways of more effective financial management, diversifying sources, & more prudent utilisation & sharing of the limited available funds.

Since then, salaries are paid on time, all statutory obligations met, & improvements in facilities and infrastructures.

Progress since 1988 Current Student Enrollment

Campus Male Female TotalMain 2,538 1,349 3,887

Kampala 1,879 950 2,829Females’ - 892 892

Arua 153 71 224Total 4,570 3,262 7,832

The Students come from 21 countries

Four Campuses

1. Main Campus at Mbale – 1988

2. Kampala Campus – 20013. Arua Campus -

20074. Females Campus – 2008

Location of Campuses

1

2

3

4

Main CampusMbale

Kampala Campus

Arua Campus

Females’Campus

Sudan

Congo

Tanzania

Kenya

Rwanda

Academic Programs• Curriculum – 56 academic programs in

6 faculties (colleges) fully accredited by NCHE, Law Council, & the Uganda Nurses & Midwives Council.• Islamic Studies & Arabic Language• Education – Arts & Science teachers• Arts & Social sciences• Management Studies• Science• Law – Common law & Islamic Law

Academic ProgrammesCentre for Postgraduate Studies – • MBA, • MPA, • M.Ed, • MA – Sharia, Islamic Studies, Arabic

Language, • MA History, • MA Peace & Conflict Resolution; • MSc Zoology, • MSc Environmental Sciences; • Ph.D Sharia, Arabic Language, Public

Administration, Economics.

Graduates

Gender Number %Male 6,944 60.92

Females 4,454 39.08

Total 11,398

IUIU Graduates for the Last 11 years

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 110

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

MALES FEMALES

GraduatesWhere are the IUIU

graduates? Public sector

- Ministries- Parliament- Local Governments etc.

Private sector Diaspora IUIU Other Institutions

Staff718 staff members8 nationalities54 on Staff Development Program – 16

of whom are doing Ph.Ds.They are in 13 countries – 4 continentsOver 70 masters & 30 Ph.Ds completed

under SDP.Some visiting academicians

Strategies for Quality Control

Quality Assurance (QA) Committee headed by the Vice Rector (Academic Affairs)

QA Committees at the Faculty levelStudents’ evaluation of academic staff is being

reintroduced.External Examiners – Uganda, Sudan, Saudi Arabia,

Tanzania, Kenya.External Assessors – ISESCO, Inter-University Council

for East AfricaVisiting Academics – University of Colorado, Germany

University, UK., Southern Illinois, Cabondale, Mercer University

ResearchMany of our staff have carried out various

research projects

Some research awards from World Bank, European Union, ISESCO & Rockefeller Foundation.

Research Committee

Research, Publications and Innovation

working on a Research Agenda.

AwardsIn November 2010, two of our departments, won the

national “Innovation and Sustainability in Universities’ Award”.

The Vice Rector in charge of Academic Affairs, won the 2010 Excellent Leadership Award of the Islamic Development Bank as their former best Merit Scholar for Higher Science and Technology.

14th December, 2011, IUIU to be given The Le Matinal Educational Excellence Awards in Mauritius byThe Africa - India Partnership Summit

February 2012 International Social Sciences Forum Award

Ongoing major ResearchesOral Muslim History – funded by ISESCOMuslim Education in Uganda – in collaboration

with UMTA. 1st National Conference on Muslim

education was held in 2010 – Major resolution was the establishment of the Uganda Muslim Education Fund

2nd national Conference on Muslim education was held in July 2013.

Community ServiceDa’awa activities – Juma Programs,

caravans, Career guidance in Schools, Conventions, Qur’an Recitation competitions, etc

Immunisation programmesTraining of Muslim leaders – Lango,

Karamoja, Pallisa, Bugisu, etcNeedy students’ community program

in Budaka District

IUIU Zakat Fund Contributions from staff salaries + 1 outsider Scholarships for Needy students –orphans Treatment of the sick - Construction of a classroom block at Ongara

Primary school Housing for the elderly Financial help – Imam, women, low cadre

staff

Hajj ProgrammeWith support from Sultan Al Nahayan

Foundation of UAE, the University has enabled some staff and members of the Muslim community to perform Hajj – the 5th Pillar of Islam: These have included staff, students and some members of the community

Challenges

1.Shortage of Physical facilities: Lecture rooms Staff Houses Library spaceOffices Sports Students’ residences

Challenges2.Finances• No government contribution to the

annual budget of IUIU• Limited grants & donations• 1 endowment – King Fahd Plaza• Fees contribute about 80% of the

budget• 20% of the students fail to raise

fees• Few scholarships.

Challenges3. Staff Welfare:• Salaries/allowances not the best• Inflation• Statutory obligations reduce the net take home

of staff – We pay about UGX 160 million per month to government bodies.

• Staff retention is a challenge due to poor pay.• Attracting bright graduates to teach in

Universities is not easy.• Can we learn from success stories elsewhere?

4. Challenges from other Universities

Fundamental Change in the education sector under the NRM Government. UPE &USE

31 licensed universities in Uganda: 5 Government 5 Businessmen 20 Faith - based 1 Islamic University

Competition for staff.Competition for jobs by graduates from the

different universities.

Future PlansConsolidate the gainsImprove financial base –

More endowments e.g Nsambya Land – Grateful to H.E. the President

Mobilise more grants & donations Income generating projects Find more scholarships

New programmes in S&T – Medicine, Engineering, Masters in IT, etc

ConclusionAlthough at the moment there are challenges that we

have not yet overcome, we should not despair. The fact that IUIU has survived for 2½ decades so far, we look to the future with a lot of hope and optimism that things shall be better, insh Allah.

We have made some progress.

“I cried because I had no shoes until I saw a man who had no feet.”

In the last 25 years we have bought some nice shoes, our legs have become longer, and our feet have become more stable. We should be able to run as we go towards the next 25 years touchline.

Conclusion …The world is facing many

challengesWhat should be our focus amidst

all these?Focus on:

Quality education for our children: “The welfare of a nation cannot be greater than the education of its people.” World Bank

Build strong research capacity

Sufficient Funds are Needed

Quality education is not cheap. The African countries must commit the necessary resources required to have quality education.

“ If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.”

“ If a man empties his purse into his head, no one can take it from him.”

Conclusion … “What we want to see is the child in

pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child.” Bernard Saw

Conclusion The World Bank observed that “Poor nations are not

only poor in wealth but are poor in knowledge,”

President Kennedy observed that “The progress of our nation cannot be faster than the progress of our education system.”

To seek knowledge is a must for every Muslim – male & female.

IUIU at 50 must be a centre of academic excellence that is next to none in Africa. May Allah accept. Ameen

Some facilities at IUIU

New Lecture Room Block at Mbale

Stalled Projects at the Main Campus1) Females’ Hostel

This was started in 2007 to enable the University admit more girls then. The ground floor was completed and now accommodates 108 girls. The next two floors need at least US$ 230,000 to complete.

2) Guest House Extension

This was started in 2006 and the ground floor was completed and is being used. The next two floors need at least US$ 250,000 to complete.

IUIU Kampala Campus Project New Lecture-room and Administrative Block

Females’ Campus Projects  The IDB Funded Students’ Hostel

ii) The Swimming Pool

Thank you