MUST holds landmark workshop to disseminate Graduate Tracer Study and Self-Assessment findings - Mbarara University of Science and Technology
On 29th June 2026, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Quality Assurance department held a monumental Dissemination Workshop focused on the findings of the Graduate Tracer Study and the University Self-Assessment Exercise. Under the timely theme, “Building a Culture of Excellence, Accountability and Purpose,” the high-profile event brought together university leaders, academics, and key stakeholders […]
On 29thJune 2026, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Quality Assurance department held a monumental Dissemination Workshop focused on the findings of the Graduate Tracer Study and the University Self-Assessment Exercise. Under the timely theme, “Building a Culture of Excellence, Accountability and Purpose,” the high-profile event brought together university leaders, academics, and key stakeholders to honestly reflect on institutional performance and chart a data-driven path toward continuous quality improvement. Angella Nakato Muyingo, the Senior Communications Officer- Public RelationsThe full-day workshop was masterfully guided by Angella Nakato Muyingo, the Senior Communications Officer- Public Relations, who served as the moderator of the day, ensuring seamless transitions across an agenda packed with rigorous data and profound insights. Quality as a shared, student-centered journeyThe event commenced with welcome remarks and a sharp quality assurance overview from the Chief Quality Assurance Officer, Dr. Theodora Mondo Twongyirwe. Dr. Theodora called on every member of staff to embrace quality not as a bureaucratic burden, but as a collective duty. Dr. Theodora Mondo Twongyirwe,Chief Quality Assurance Officer“Quality assurance is not about inspection or compliance. It is about continuously asking ourselves, “How can we become better?” she asked. She urged the MUST community to look beyond mere academic metrics and think critically about graduate outcomes, emphasizing the need to strengthen essential employability skills such as communication, leadership, entrepreneurship, and professionalism alongside academic excellence. Translating data into lasting actionThe workshop was officially opened by Prof. Joseph Ngonzi, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs. Prof. Ngonzi delivered a powerful charge to the community, emphasizing that honest self-assessment is the absolute foundation for institutional growth. Prof. Joseph Ngonzi, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic AffairsHe noted that the Graduate Tracer Study and Self-Assessment provide the exact evidence required to upgrade academic programs and reshape the university’s trajectory. “Data is only valuable when it informs action. The findings from the Graduate Tracer Study and University Self-Assessment should not end as reports on shelves. ” he said. Prof. Ngonzi passionately called on the university community to translate the revealed evidence into practical interventions, measurable commitments, and permanent institutional upgrades. Outstanding employability and program relevanceTaking the podium to present the hard data, Mr. Solomon Agum unveiled the findings of the Graduate Tracer Study, which was comprehensively conducted between September 2025 and January 2026. The study evaluated graduate employment outcomes, skills alignment, and the university’s reputation among employers. Mr. Solomon AgumKey Employment MetricsOverall Employment Rate: Stood at a strong 67. 1%. Adjusted Employment Rate: When excluding the recent 2025 graduating cohort (who are naturally still transitioning into the market), the employment rate soared to 80. 5%, comfortably exceeding the university’s baseline benchmark. Rapid Market Absorption: 61. 5% of MUST graduates secured their first job within just six months of completing their studies. Mr. Agum reported a powerful alignment between MUST’s academic programs and workplace demands. 6%of alumni indicated that their current jobs are directly related to their field of study. 9%of alumni expressed overall satisfaction with their academic programs. 5%stated that MUST’s stellar reputation positively influenced their job search. 1%would enthusiastically recommend their academic programs to prospective students. A call for total honestyFollowing the data presentation, Dr. Fred Kaggwa, the Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Informatics, presented the findings of the University Self-Assessment Exercise. Dr. Kaggwa juxtaposed Mr. Agum’s brilliant graduate statistics against the university’s internal physical realities. Dr. Fred Kaggwa, Dean-Faculty of Computing and InformaticsHe pointed out a striking paradox: while 94. 9% of alumni stated they would recommend MUST graduates to an employer, the self-assessment revealed that 65% of the university’s primary, first-in-line facilities were rated poorly, scoring “below a factor of 6. ”“So, from what Solomon has presented, we have seen that about 94% of alumni would recommend MUST to an employer. However, 65% of our first-in-line facilities are rated below factor 6. This tells us that yes, we are academically excellent, but infrastructure, lame. We have to be clear on that, that physical infrastructure has issues. ” he noted. Dr. Kaggwa detailed that the assessment utilized extensive operational data, unit self-ratings, and evaluations from student bodies, starting with a heavily utilized Guild Council representation. He stressed that the exercise is fundamentally about involvement and growth, not pointing fingers. “The purpose of this is to see that we improve ourselves. It requires honesty about what is working and what is not working. It is not a blame game,” he concluded, before driving an interactive, table-by-table exercise demanding staff members identify recent poor actions and current structural challenges. Curriculum success, incentives, and future stepsDr. Ronald Twongyirwe,Chairperson of the Quality Assurance CommitteeBringing the landmark workshop to a close, Dr. Ronald Twongyirwe, the Chairperson of the Quality Assurance Committee, delivered the concluding remarks on behalf of the committee. Before diving into the technical summaries, Dr. Twongyirwe extended immense gratitude to the “engine” of the Quality Assurance department composed of Mary Amongi, Sharon, Ritah Kasule and Mr. Paul. Academic and Curriculum TriumphsDr. Twongyirwe brought excellent news regarding curriculum transformation:The Quality Assurance Committee has successfully reviewed close to 30 academic programs out of the 90 running at the university. These programs have been recommended to the University Senate, fully approved, and are on their way to the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) for accreditation, having been meticulously aligned with competence-based education training guidelines. Dr. Twongyirwe echoed the principle that quality is an institutional responsibility that cannot rest on a single office; it must be embedded across teaching, research, innovation, library services, and estates. He noted that sustaining this high performance requires a delicate cultural balance. “In any effective system, excellence must be recognized and rewarded, while weak performance must be addressed constructively. Incentives really matter. When individuals and units are supported, recognized, and encouraged, performance improves. ” he mentioned. Methodological growth for the futureWhile celebrating the tracer study’s proof of high graduate employability, Dr. Twongyirwe noted that the university will use feedback from the workshop to sharpen future research tools. He noted that because the current data strongly represents recent graduates, it limits the ability to map long-term, 10-year career trajectories. Future iterations will also dive deeper into thequalityof employment, explicitly differentiating between salaried employees and self-employed entrepreneurs. The workshop concluded with a unified understanding: MUST is undeniably achieving its core mandate by producing highly employable, capable graduates who positively impact society. However, to fully realize its potential, the institution must collectively rise to resolve the clearly identified gaps in infrastructure, learning facilities, and staffing. With a final call to action, Dr. Ronald Twongyirwe officially declared the dissemination workshop closed, invoking the proud university mantra:“Succeed with MUST. ”Author