NCHE Commends IUIU for Advancing Access to Higher Education Through HEC Program
- 17th September, 2025 11:46pm
By Aron Okotel
Islamic University In Uganda (IUIU) has hosted a delegation from the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), to monitor the implementation of the Higher Education Access Program (HEC) at the main campus in mbale on Wednesday 17th – 09 – 2025 .
The delegation was led by Rev. Dr. Cyrus Ssebugenyi, the head of the Department of Standards and Qualifications, accompanied by members of the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE).
According to Dr. Adam Ali, the Academic Registrar of IUIU, the university's engagement with the HEC program is rooted in a long history of providing educational access. Where the university has graduated 1,373 students from the HEC program Since 2020.
The monitoring team toured the university's facilities, including its labs, and met with lecturers to discuss ways to enhance the program. Rev. Dr. Ssebugenyi was particularly impressed with the well-equipped labs and the use of detailed manuals that guide students through their practical. He also praised the ongoing renovation and expansion of the laboratory space, calling it a "very good development."
Despite finding no significant shortcomings, the NCHE team offered key recommendations. Rev. Dr. Ssebugenyi urged IUIU to ensure that all students completing the HEC program have provisions to be absorbed into other degree programs at the university.
As of the recent August intake, 307 students were enrolled in the HEC program. In the departments of HEC General (Humanities), HEC Physical Science, HEC Biological Science: In total, the program has 130 female students and 177 male students.
