Bishop Stuart University is hosting a five-day international workshop under the EU-funded AgrCBE Project, taking place from 12th to 16th May 2025. The workshop aims to advance the development and adoption of Competency-Based Agricultural Curricula in Higher Education, with a focus on formulating minimum CBE curriculum benchmarks and defining professional and competence profiles for agricultural training in the region.
Enhancing the Adoption of Competence-Based Agricultural Curricula in Higher Education Institutions in East Africa (AgrCBE) project is spearheaded by Gulu University and brings together different partner institutions across the globe including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Egerton University (Kenya), Haame University of Applied Sciences (Finland), NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands), as well as regulatory bodies and education ministries from Kenya and Uganda. RUFORUM and the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) are strategic partners.
The workshop was officially opened this morning by Prof. Mary Okwakol, the Executive Secretary of the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), who emphasized the urgency for regional universities to align curricula amidst the evolving job market demands.
Presiding over the function, the Chancellor of BSU, Rt. Rev. Assoc. Prof. Sheldon Mwesigwa commended the BSU team for their steady progress in delivering the project milestones. He emphasized that the heart of the week’s agenda lies in the formulation of Professional and Competence Profiles, and the development of minimum curriculum benchmarks for Competence-Based Education.
“Data collected from the world of work tells us clearly—curriculum should not just be about sharing knowledge, but empowering learners with practical, hands-on skills. These are the skills that transform communities and drive productivity,” said the Chancellor. Alongside technical skills, soft skills like teamwork, communication, time management, and professionalism are critical. The world of work has reminded us that values must be embedded in curriculum design. The heart of the problem, indeed, is the problem of the heart. At BSU, this is our niche.”
In his remarks, Prof. John Mugisha, the Vice-Chancellor of BSU, noted with conviction that Bishop Stuart University is boldly transitioning from traditional teaching methods to learner-centered, competence-based instruction. He declared BSU as one of the pioneer institutions in Uganda, embracing the CBE model in higher education.
“We are intentionally walking away from outdated curriculum models to embrace systems that are responsive to the needs of the learner and the demands of society. Competence-Based Education is not just a trend but rather a necessity for future-ready graduates,” Prof. Mugisha said.