The management of Gulu University has started issuing academic transcripts to graduands before graduation.
This is the first time the University is issuing transcripts to graduands before the graduation ceremony, following years of complaints over delayed release of transcripts to former students since the institution’s inception in 2002.
The University is scheduled to hold its 19th graduation on February 9th, 2024 at the University’s main campus in Pece-Laroo Division.
Prof. David Okello Owiny, Gulu University Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs told journalists on Thursday that the transcripts were printed early and distributed to the various faculties.
Prof. Owiny says graduands are now free to pick up their academic transcripts before or after graduation, but notes that certificates will be picked a month later.
Gulu University Public Relations Officer James Ojok Onono says it’s such complaints from former students that pushed the University management to adjust the timely issuance of transcripts. He notes that this will now become the tradition of the University.
A total of 1,338 graduands are expected to graduate tomorrow at the 19th graduation ceremony in various disciplines for conferment of degrees, and awards in diplomas and certificates.
Gulu University Vice Chancellor Prof. George Openjuru Ladaah however notes that a total of 1,414 students had earlier been cleared and shortlisted for graduation but 76 have been struck off the list.
He says through the Academic Management System (ACMIS), the University was able to detect some of the students hadn’t settled their tuition to zero balance, failed to submit their reports, and hadn’t completed their retakes.
Out of the 1,338 graduands, 96 are from the Faculty of Medicine, 159 from the Faculty of Agriculture, 486 from the Faculty of Business and Development Studies, 424 from the Education Faculty, 80 from the Law Faculty, 88 from the Faculty of Science, and five from the institute of peace and strategic studies. The statistics represent 58.1 percent of male graduands while 41.9 percent are female.
According to Prof. Openjuru, the 19th graduation ceremony will be presided over by the University Chancellor Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda.
The University will also at the same ceremony on Friday present awards of Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Phd) to three postgraduate students. They are Sr. Rosalba Aciro, who will receive a Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Education, Nelson Charles Okumu, Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities, and Godfrey Moses Owot, Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Last year, Gulu University graduated 1,270 students comprised of 522 females and 748 males.
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