Roles of the governing council

• The governing council protects institutional reputation and credibility by making sure that clear rules and regulations, policies, and procedures that adhere to legislative and regulatory requirements are in place, ethical in nature, and followed by the concerned institutional stakeholders.
• The governing body is accountable for institutional activities, responsible for taking all final decisions on matters of fundamental concern within its jurisdiction.
• The governing council ensures institutional sustainability by working closely with the Board of Directors and Top Institute Management to set the institutional mission and strategy. 
• Receives and considers all possible affiliations, collaborations, and partnerships with the Institute. It is through such approval that religious bodies, government agencies, the community, individuals, etc. become associated with the Institute.
• Evaluates and approves the creation of academic units such as departments, schools, faculties, colleges, programmes, institutes, etc.
• The governing council follows up and receives assurance that academic governance is effective by working with the Senate/Academic Board or equivalent as specified in its governing instruments.
• The governing council works with the Top Institute Management to be assured that effective control and due diligence take place in relation to institutionally significant internal and external activities.
• The governing council promotes and ensures equality and diversity throughout the institution, including in relation to its own operations.
• The governing council must ensure that governance structures and processes are fit for purpose by referencing them against recognised standards of good practice. 
• Perform any other duties and roles that are in the best interest of the institution as may be dimmed right by the institute stakeholders from time to time.

Other governance structures

The institute has other governance components such as the Institute Senate (responsible for all academic affairs of the institute), the Institute appointments Board (responsible for the recruitment and appointment of staff), the Institute admissions committee (which is a sub-committee of senate responsible for admissions of new students), and the Institute Top Management (responsible for the day to day administrative  affairs of the Institute)

Departments

The institute has four main departments;

1. The Department of Trainings

This department currently deals with short non-formal practical courses which include:

• Eco Tour Guiding
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Professional Entrepreneurship
• Data Collection and Research Assistantship
• Environmental Management
• Scientific Innovatons Development
• Sustainable NGO Management
• Research Professional Development

These courses are offered online. Physical classes are arranged with a group of prospective participants.

Note: To enroll for these non-formal courses, no any prior academic qualification is required. The written and spoken English, interest and applicant’s desire to attain a skill are the pre-requisite for admission in addition to basic computer, and internet literacy.

2. The Department of Research. 

This deals with research projects, scholarships, and consultancies. Under this department, UNIRI has executed and continues to execute a number of research projects and consultancies in health, education, ICT, environment and natural resources, agriculture, etc. Details of these works can be found under the department of research. Currently the Department of Research is implementing a partnership program with Toro Development Network under the Open Data Analytics (ODA)

3. The Department of Innovations.

The department focuses on Environment and Energy Innovations (EEI). The innovations are developed to address environmental conservation needs and enhance sustainable development. This is achieved through the Universal Eco-homes Programme

4. The Department of publications.

It deals with the publication of books, manuals, and working papers. The department publishes these through online and hard copy publications. Currently, our interventions are in turning dissertations/thesis to books, writing books from scratch based on the author’s ideas, journal articles, book chapters, grant applications, documenting autobiographies, and wisdom of elders. We also make available well researched and analyzed reports in your areas of interest such as climate, education, agriculture, gender issues to mention a few. This Department works directly with the Centre for Action and Applied Research for Development (CAARD).

The Institute’s approach to teaching and learning

The Institute approaches teaching and learning at two levels;

The first is at the theoretical level. This aims to shape the student’s mindset, opening up learner faculties to identify a problem and generate ideas to solve the problem. At the institute, we also emphasize the acquisition of soft skills by all learners. Today more than ever before, job applicants with strong soft skills are in high demand for many different types of jobs. Irrespective of your job, you need at least some soft skills such as critical thinking, interpersonal skills, creativity, problem-solving, etc. For example, to succeed at work, you must get along well with all the people with whom you interact. We instill into the learners these soft skills through guest lectures, seminars, and workshops. This first approach is intended to equip the learners not only with soft skills but with alternative thinking to approaching issues and it covers 30% of the course. 

The second is at the practical level and covers 70% of the course. Based on case studies analysis, fieldwork, and individual practical exercises, students are invited to demonstrate their assimilation of knowledge and its application to solving a particular problem. At Universal Institute of Research and Innovations, we work to help people seeking employment or the creation of their own jobs. In addition to formal training, we provide information about employment-related opportunities for graduates.

For more information contact:

Dr. Moses Muhumuza (PhD)

Director UNIRI

Email: director@uniri.ac.ug

WhatsApp No: +256 772 565 565

Pone: +256 750 769 079