KUAL: Kyambogo University Andragogy Lab, Uganda

Faculty of Special Needs and Rehabilitation – Project

Inventor

Department of Adult, Community and Lifelong Learning (DACoLL) in conjunction with UNESCO Chair on Literacies Green Skilling and Capacity Development for Sustainable Communities in Africa (UNITWIN)

Background

Kyambogo University Andragogy Lab (KUAL) is an initiative of Associate Professor Willy Ngaka, Ph.D., under the UNESCO Chair on Literacies Green Skilling and Capacity Development for Sustainable Communities in Africa (UNITWIN) housed in the Department of Adult, Community and Lifelong Learning (DACoLL), Kyambogo University, Uganda. The Lab serves as a physical and virtual space for mutual learning through interactive processes involving a multidisciplinary team of researchers representing different aspects of the society across and beyond Kyambogo University. The Lab was initiated in 2022 with the aim of promoting knowledge creation and sharing through technology-transfer partnerships, research and innovation about inclusive, non-formal, adult, community and lifelong learning/education, teaching methods, approaches, principles, theories and multiple factors that affect the teaching and learning of adults including those with disabilities within the broader framework of lifelong learning.

Implementation Partners

Kyambogo University Andragogy Lab aspires to work with various stakeholders in the adult education and lifelong learning field. Currently, the Lab has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uganda Business and Technical Examination Board (UBTEB) and jointly implementing accredited National Diploma, Technical programmes and Certificate courses at Kyambogo University. KUAL works in partnership with various faculties in implementing the programmes. The Lab, also works together with Kyambogo University Adult and Community education Students’ Association (KACESA) https://kacesa.ac.ug/ to mobilize and engage with residents of six (6) villages surrounding Kyambogo University to participate in skills enhancement and development programs for income generation and wellbeing improvement. AT the national level, KUAL is collaborating with notable adult education services providing institutions i.e. DVV Uganda and National Adult Education Association (NAEA) in Uganda. We’re still open for more collaborations and partnerships.

Vision: To be a centre of excellence for innovative, collaborative, inclusive, continuous, and lifelong learning for sustainable socio-economic development of communities.

Mission: To promote and advance collaborative, participatory, and innovative approaches to teaching, learning and knowledge generation shared through university-community engagements and technology transfer partnerships.

Objectives of Kyambogo University Andragogy Lab

The Lab seeks to achieve the following objectives:

To design and implement short-courses that equip communities with knowledge and vocational skills needed to improve their livelihoods.
To provide opportunities for students in the University to enhance their practical skills through internship and volunteering work.
To collaborate with relevant institutions to implement programmes that help communities enter and/or access higher education programmes and courses accredited by Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB) and Community Polytechnics in Uganda
To design relevant skills enhancement courses at Certificate and Diploma level for accreditation by Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB)
To enhance university-community engagement for purposes of research, resource mobilization and practicing the skills, approaches, methods and techniques for teaching adult learners including persons with disabilities, refugees and other vulnerable groups in Uganda
To mobilize, sensitize and train communities on alternative pathways for accessing higher education such as mature age entrance scheme, certificate in higher education, diploma entry scheme and other educational access pathways in Uganda.
To identify, recruit and train facilitators/instructors of adult learners and persons with disabilities, refugees and other unique group of learners.
To work with community learning centres to promote adult learning, education and lifelong learning.

Geographical Area of Operations in Uganda

Kyambogo University Andragogy Lab (KUAL) is currently operational at Kyambogo University. However, there are plans to establish regional centres across the countryside.

Achievements and Successes

Signed Memorandum of Understanding with UBTEB

In April, 2024 Kyambogo University Uganda and Uganda Business Technical Examination Board (UBTEB), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to run National Diploma, Certificate and Technical Programmes and courses through the Andragogy Lab.

Implementation of National Diploma, Certificate and Technical Programmes

In partnership with Uganda Business Technical Examination Board (UBTEB), Andragogy Lab is implementing the following accredited National Diploma, Technical programmes, and Certificate courses at Kyambogo University, Uganda

Business programmes

National Diploma in Business Management
National Diploma in Accountancy
National Diploma in Procurement and Logistics Management
National Diploma in Information and Communication Technology
Accounting Technicians Diploma
Diploma in Public Administration and Management
Diploma in Project Planning and Management

Technical Programmes

National Diploma in Electrical Engineering
National Diploma in Civil Engineering
National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
National Diploma in Architecture
National Diploma in Survey

Certificate Courses

National Certificate in Business Management
National Certificate in Accounting and Finance
National Certificate in Procurement and Logistics Management
National Certificate in Information and Communication Technology
National Certificate in Public Administration and Management
National Certificate in Project Planning and Management

Implementation of non-credit / non-accredited short certificate courses

A learning needs assessment was undertaken by Kyambogo University Andragogy Lab (KUAL) between May 2023 and August 2023 and as a result, needs-based skills enhancement courses of 3-4 weeks studies were developed.

Adult Literacies: Basic English Literacy, Land Literacy, Financial Literacy, Legal Literacy, Health & Medical Literacy
Livelihood Improvement Skills: Liquid Soap Making, Paper Pack Bag Making, Bakery, Fruit Juice Making, Chapati / Rolex Making, Kitchen Gardening, and Crafts Making
Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship
Fundraising and Resource Mobilization
Basic Computer Application Skills: Word, Ms. Excel and Ms. PowerPoint
Social Media for Marketing: Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, Instagram
Basic Mobile Graphics Design Applications
Conflict Management and Resolution
Environment Management and Circular Economy

Basic English Literacy Programme

Curriculum development: Developed curriculum for Basic English Literacy: Level 1, 2, 3, and Level 4.
Semi-literate learners: Trained 48 semi-literate learners of diverse tribes / ethnicities in six (6) slum settlement villages surrounding Kyambogo University, Uganda
Refugee status students: Trained fifteen (15) refugees status students and business owners in basic English literacy
Semi-literate Workers: Trained 28 Mechanics, Drivers, Office Attendants, Cleaners, Market Vendors, Business Owners, and Security Guards working in facilities in and around Kyambogo University, Uganda