Makerere University has unveiled a digital system aimed at digitizing all students’ Academic Records and Processes, marking a significant step towards enhancing service delivery for its continuing students and alumni.
The Digitalizing of Academic Records and Processes (DARP) project, initiated under the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) in 2021, signifies a transition from traditional paper-based methods to digital archiving, aimed at safeguarding the university’s historical records.
During the launch, Makerere University Vice-Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe emphasized that the shift to digital means was crucial for ensuring the safety and security of students’ academic records, shielding them from unforeseen disasters.
He referred to the 2020 fire that engulfed the university’s iconic Ivory Tower, highlighting the potential risk of losing crucial student documents. Fortunately, no student records were compromised.
Professor Nawangwe further noted that the digitization process would streamline transcript issuance, providing alumni with a seamless avenue to submit necessary documentation and receive their transcripts promptly, eliminating the need for long queues on campus.
Makerere University has long grappled with significant delays in transcript issuance post-graduation, leading to frustration among graduates and the accumulation of uncollected transcripts and certificates.
In 2022, URN reported that the university had over 100,000 uncollected transcripts and certificates from recent graduates, prompting the organization of a two-week fare for students to claim their documents.
State Minister for Higher Education, Dr. Chrysostom Muyingo, representing Chief Guest Janet Museveni, commended the University for the initiative, emphasizing its role in reducing the risk of mishandling student documents and facilitating accessibility for career advancement.
Lorna Magara, Chairperson of the Makerere University Council, highlighted that the digitalization of students’ records would mitigate increasing forgery cases and enable employers to verify their employees’ documents with ease. She emphasized the transition from traditional paper-based processes to the digital world as a significant milestone for the institution.
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