Published On: Tue, Jan 17th, 2012

By Francis Kagolo

During the Makerere university’s 62nd graduation ceremony on Monday 2012, the vice-chancellor, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba quoted the former US President John F. Kennedy’s words, Baryamureeba stated: “Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education. The human mind is our fundamental resource.”

A total of 11,022 students are to graduate this week, 5,873 (53.3%) of whom are male and 46.7% female. A total of 221 students got first class degrees, down from last year’s 236.

The university is to award 42 doctorates of philosophy (PhDs), the highest number in its 90-year history.

The former Student of Teso College Aloet

Tonny Ongim emerged this year’s best student with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Ongin scored a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.86.

He received the Chancellor’s Award which comprised sh1m and other gifts.

Upon hearing that Ongim attended Teso College Aloet, university chancellor Prof. Mondo Kagonyera, described him as a genius and asked the Government to support children in rural schools.

“Our best student did not come from Budo, Namagunga, Gayaza or St. Mary’s college Kisubi, which are the first world secondary schools. He studied in schools in the village,” said Kagonyera.

“Let us take higher education upcountry; there are more geniuses in those schools that are being left out,” he added.

Kagonyera advised the graduating students to work hard and respect their employers, saying it was not the class of degree one gets but his character that determines their future.