MUBS, logistics firm sign deal for practical skills for students

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Makerere University Business School-MUBS together with Multilines International Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will among others create practical opportunities for the students.

It is hoped that the initiative will promote academic excellence, especially in logistics and freight industries in the country.

According to the MoU signed on Thursday, “the partnership signifies a commitment to fostering a symbiotic relationship between academia and industry, with a focus on enhancing the practical skills and knowledge of students at Makerere University Business School in particular the faculty of logistics and transport.”

Multilines International Limited is a private company specializing in air freight/sea freight, road transport, customs clearance, warehousing management, storage, removals, and tax consultancy.

The MoU provided that Multilines International Limited will offer opportunities for internships, practical training, and mentorship programs to students, providing them with real-world insights and experiences to complement their academic learning.

The  MoU paves the way for joint research projects, knowledge exchange programs, and industry forums that will drive innovation and promote sustainable meaningful business practices to the business community and shaping the future of business in the country.

Speaking after the signing, the  Principal MUBS,  Professor Moses Muhwezi said that the institution although deals much in business and management areas,  it has developed new areas such as logistics and transport.

Professor Muhwezi explained that the collaboration will not only help students pursuing their careers in logistics and transport but it will help all the students in diverse disciplines especially in business since it is a very important cross-cutting issue.

He also called upon people dealing in Logistics in the country to come up with a law aimed at regulating the profession such that it’s distinct and clear from others and students be proud of it  other than it hiding in other business professions.

The Chief Executive Officer of Multilines International Limited, Gerald Mukyenga said some students graduate, and get jobs but afterward, they start saying they are going to learn on the job.

Mukyenga emphasizes the need for students to be equipped with both theoretical and hands-on training when they are still on the ground at the University.

He noted that one cannot pay salaries and again go ahead to start teaching a salary earner without the skills and expertise to do certain works.

Mukyenga added that students need to learn how to mitigate the business challenges that the world is facing and they can only do so through research and opportunities like those highlighted in the MoU where more will be learned during its implementation which will last three years.

Dr. Bonny Bagyenda the Head of the Department of Transport and Logistics Management at MUBS revealed that the MoU comes at the right time when the institution needs to get opportunities and hands-on training for the students.

Bagyenda is hopeful that their students will acquire ground experience, and also the staff will acquire useful knowledge about various disciplines.

The Dean Faculty of Procurement and Logistics Professor Sheila Namagembe said MUBS has many students doing internships and they need people to help them with the output.

She said this will be an active MOU because they already see results contributed by  Multlines International for the Masters Program of Logistics and Procurement and hoped for dynamic and continuous learning.

****

URN