David Livingstone Ebiru noted that there is still limited understanding about quality standards, he says students who are trained to be business leaders need to know how critical standardization is.
After putting a stamp on approved industrial products in the market, Uganda National Bureau of Standards now wants the stamp on courses offered in universities in the country.
The
acting executive director Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) David
Livingstone Ebiru is calling for a partnership with the National Council for
Higher Education to develop modules on standardization for courses in Universities.
He
was speaking on Wednesday at the awards ceremony for last year’s continental essay
competition on standardization.
The
annual competition is organized by the Africa Regional Organization for
Standardization (ARSO) and conducted through the African National Standards
Bodies (NSBs) who are members of ARSO.
Last
year’s competition was the 7th edition and claiming the top prize
was Golda Desiree Abesiga from Makerere University who scooped $1,000 for her
efforts.
The
first runner up spot was claimed by another Ugandan student named Steven Marvin
Nsubuga from Kyambogo University who walked away with $800.
The
Continental essay competitions are organized every year with the aim of
fostering standards knowledge among students.
The
essay theme was “The Role of Standardization in resolving and addressing the
social-economic issues for the Refugees, Returnees
and Internally Displaced Persons and creating durable solutions to forced
displacements in Africa.”
The awards
ceremony was held at the Uganda National Bureau of standards (UNBS)
headquarters in Bweyogerere.
David
Livingstone Ebiru noted that there is still limited understanding about quality
standards, he says students who are trained to be business leaders need to know
how critical standardization is.
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He
reveals that aside from the African competition, UNBS will domesticate the
competition and organize a national competition for students from local
universities adding that this would help stimulate engagements and discussions
on standards among the young people.
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At the same
event, the 8th ARSO Continental Essay Competition for FY 2020/2021 was launched
under the theme: The role of standardization in promoting Arts, Culture and
Heritage – The Creative Economy in Africa (2020/2021).