A team from Ndejje University led by Dr. Setekera, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Computing, recently participated in a high-level engagement at the National ICT Innovation Hub Nakawa, aimed at bridging the gap between academia and industry in the ICT sector.
The visit brought together students from the University’s Main Campus, faculty members, and key players in Uganda’s innovation ecosystem, including the Uganda Data Center Group. The engagement formed part of the National Industry 4.0+ Think Tank, a platform showcasing the progress and potential of Uganda’s Industry 4.0 ecosystem.
Discussions centered on strengthening collaboration between universities and industry to ensure that academic training aligns with real-world demands. A key takeaway was the need for institutions to go beyond teaching and actively contribute to solving global and local challenges through innovation.
Critical questions were raised during the session, including whether university talent and products are market-ready, which global problems institutions are actively solving, whether graduates are globally competitive and innovative, and how universities can effectively measure the readiness of students for the job market. These reflections sparked meaningful dialogue on the evolving role of higher education.
Participants also attended a panel discussion themed “What CIOs Look for When Hiring”, where industry experts emphasized practical skills, innovation, and problem-solving as essential competencies for today’s workforce.
The team further explored key areas driving Uganda’s Industry 4.0+ ecosystem, including electronics design and hardware incubation, Uganda’s journey toward becoming a global electronics manufacturing hub, the manufacture and deployment of 3D printers, and the development of local cloud solutions.
Dr. Setekera underscored the importance of aligning academic programs with industry needs, noting that “money is hidden in the problems we face in our day-to-day lives.” He emphasized that closer collaboration between academia and industry will enable students to better understand real-world challenges and develop practical, market-driven solutions.
He further expressed optimism about the future, envisioning a time when Ndejje University will actively establish startup companies driven by real market needs and problem-solving innovations.
This initiative marks a significant step toward strengthening university-industry linkages and positioning Ndejje University as a key contributor to Uganda’s innovation and industrial transformation agenda.
