The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uganda Christian University (UCU), Mukono to promote Standardization and Quality Assurance in Institutions of Higher Learning.
According to the Executive Director of UNBS David Livingstone Ebiru, the Bureau intends to promote quality culture by mainstreaming quality standards in education curricula of Institutions of Higher Learning, especially Universities and Tertiary Institutions.
Ebiru explains that students are the future Innovators, Industrialists and Entrepreneurs who must appreciate the importance of quality standards as a tool for competition and market access of products, given that the global focus of consumers is the demand for safe and quality products.
Meanwhile speaking at the signing of the MoU, the UCU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, pledged full support to ensure the objectives of the collaboration are met.
“We are ready to work with UNBS in developing standardization curricular, trainings in short courses, research, and internship opportunities for our students to ensure that the standards of this country are upheld,” Prof. Mushengyezi said.
The MoU, will among others focus on Undertaking research to support Development of Standardization, Participation in Technical Committees involved in writing standards. Administration of course units in quality standards to students
Mentorship and attachment of Students to UNBS quality Infrastructure, Joint implementation of projects to support standardization work, Participation in awareness and sensitization activities to promote quality standards.
According to the UNBS public relations and marketing manager, Sylvia Kirabo, the MoU with UCU is one of the many collaborations and partnerships the Bureau is undertaking to promote the uptake of quality standards in everyday life, in order to increase the competitiveness of Ugandan goods and services both locally and internationally.