[November 02, 2009] Makerere Reunion Due Nov. 28 Tweet Kampala, Nov 02, 2009 (The Monitor/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- Makerere University is organising a reunion to bring together the alumni, staff members and friends to brainstorm on challenges the university is currently facing. The reunion is due November 28 and will be graced by former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa. President Mkapa was a student of Literature at Makerere University in 1962. University Convocation Chairman Bruce Balaba says the institution is challenged by a series of problems, ranging from the nature of the economy and government to those that are internal due to the weaknesses of the institution's leaders. "Makerere University today has a critical administrative challenge. There is a very big administrative vacuum at the university by our own people. And to fill this vacuum, we need training, moral support and the input of the alumni and friends as stakeholders to guide where it is difficult," Mr Balaba said in an interview. He added that the reunion which will be the first in the history of Makerere University since it started in 1922, will provide a platform for old students, staff members and friends to interact and share experiences. The institution will ask alumni and other stakeholders to guide them on what are the relevant courses for the job market. "We want that through the reunion the university can be able to address the challenges present. We need to build linkages and partnerships with the private sector," he said.He said that although the institution constitutes about 80 per cent of the professional workforce in the country, it is poorly managed. "The university has resources which could be transformed into productive assets but because we have the worst governance, the resources are abused and we don't do anything to it," Mr Balaba said. The idea of a reunion was initiated by University Chancellor professor Mondo Kagonyera. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]