Former Chief Justice, Benjamin Odoki has been installed as the first Chancellor of Lira University by President Yoweri Museveni.
The President also presided over the university’s first graduation ceremony of 150 pioneer graduates in the disciplines of Bachelor of Science in Public Health, Bachelor of Science in Community Psychology and Psychotherapy, Computer Science, Business Administration and Commerce, among others.
The ceremony took place today in Ayere village of Baropo Sub-County in Lira District Lango Sub-Region in Northern Uganda.
“I congratulate Dr. Benjamin Odoki for being installed as the Chancellor of this university and I can tell you that you have got a good Chancellor,” he said.
The President advised the entire university community to be serious on the choices they make in life adding that they have to be healthy in order to be able to contribute to the development of the country.
He commended the university for listening to his advice of prioritizing the study of science.
“Understanding the laws of nature and knowing how to use them to better our lives is what we call science and it is the basis of knowledge,” he stressed.
The President informed the university community that Africa was colonized because it lagged behind in science and technology noting that continued lagging behind in sciences would not only endanger our survival but also our prosperity.
He assured government support to the university to improve its teaching environment.
Education and Sports Minister, Mrs. Janet Museveni, in her remarks read by State Minister for Higher Education, Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo, asked the graduands and the entire student body to always use the available structures to solve any challenges that they may face in the course of their studies.
The new Chancellor, Dr. Benjamin Odoki commended the President for the keen interest in prioritizing education adding that Lira University is already leading in many areas of innovation such as the offer of Bachelor’s Degree in Midwifery, among others.
He reported that the institution will continue focusing on looking for solutions to global challenges