The Incoming leadership of the student community in the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) has been asked to adopt the culture of a smooth hand over of power as exhibited in the smooth change of office that was witnessed on Tuesday 7th December 2021.
Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, the Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration as well as Principal of the College said the smooth hand over of authority is a good culture that should be emulated in one’s life even in careers after University.
He extended his appreciation towards the outgoing executive which, he said had helped support the management and administration of the College. ‘Leadership is about sacrifice and this is going to help you in your future career’ he said while witnessing the hand over held in the CEDAT Conference Hall.
The Principal said it was through such positions that people got to learn soft skills like communication, time keeping and team work and this he said requiredone to keep self-esteem and free contribution.
He urged the incoming leaders to desist from domineering over others but allow free contribution from all by allowing their contributions, which he said would enable collective responsibility in decision making.
He said by taking part in the leadership roles, students were given an opportunity to learn andurged the leadership to support the administration of the college through undertaking initiatives like cleanliness drives, ensuring that the teaching and learning goes on smoothly as planned, as well as making all effort to realize the security of the College assets by identifying persons involved in the vandalizing utilities.
On the issue of vaccination against COVID -19, Prof. Alinaitwe urged the students to support the drive in order to have increased numbers of students getting vaccinated which was necessary for promoting health for all.
In doing all this, the Principal reminded the students that their primary reason for being at the College was academics. He cautioned them to desist from running away from their academic mission but rather find a balance between leadership and academic schedules.
The Deputy Principal, Dr. Venny Nakazibwe while congratulating the incoming student leadership reminded them that leadership was about responsibility, service and accountability to the entire college. She said as a College with three Schools, everything done is on behalf of Makerere University. She said leadership provides an opportunity for learning, unlearning and relearning and that as leaders there was need to appreciate the reality, the processes, and the challenges and hence take a bigger picture through the insights and explanations of the situation in the college.
She said through taking on leadership roles, the students were provided an opportunity to take lay grounds for career development since it provided a training ground for their future. She encouraged the student leaders to take advantage of their roles by networking among peers in the respective offices like MES, MAC, and MUFASA and urged them to start planning on the best ways through which they were to make a positive impact on society.
The handover was witnessed by the Principal, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, the Deputy Principal Dr. Venny Nakazibwe, the Principal Communication Officer, Ms. Harriet Musinguzi and the Web Administrator, Mr. Alex Isemaghendera as well as parents of the new student leaders.
The college has 6 associations each with a president and a cabinet, and they include Makerere Engineering Society (MES), Makerere Association of Construction Management (MAC), Makerere University Fine Art Students Association (MUFASA), Makerere University Association of Surveying Students, Makerere University Planners Association, Makerere Architecture Student Association.
The student leaders gave a commitment to the management of the College that they were ready to render services expected of them to the best of their ability.
Written by Ms. Harriet Musinguzi, Principal Communication Officer, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology
Posted by Mr. Alex Isemaghendera , Web Administrator, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology.