In a bid to bridge the gap between classroom theory and industrial application, 60 students from the Faculty of Science, Technology and Innovations at Mountains of the Moon University recently completed a two-day exposure visit to the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) in Namanve, Kampala.
The visit, which took place on March 5th-6th 2025, provided students with firsthand experience of practical applications in engineering, computing, and industrial innovation at one of Uganda’s premier research and development facilities.
“Our goal at UIRI is to inspire the next generation of Ugandan innovators and technologists,” said John Sabiiti Musana, an electrical engineer at UIRI who guided the students through the institute’s electronics laboratory among many other labs and facilities. “These students represent Uganda’s future, and exposing them to practical industrial processes and equipment now will significantly enhance their readiness for the job market.”
Musana provided the students with an overview of the institute’s history and mandate. “UIRI was established by an act of parliament in 2002. Our core activities include capacity building and development, analytical lab services, and business incubation centers,” he explained. “We adopt projects from research for implementation and support sister institutions such as universities, technical and vocational institutions, and other factories. We also offer refresher training courses and analytical labs in microbiology, chemistry, ceramics, and paper processing for both in-house and external clients.”
During the visit, students toured various departments within the facility, including the electronics lab, G-Coding workshop, machine learning center, printed circuit board labs, plastic and modeling workshop, garment facility, and wood technology department. They observed ongoing research projects and had the opportunity to interact with professionals in their respective fields of study.
Elijah Ngobi, a computer programmer at UIRI, emphasized the importance of practical skills development. “What impressed me most about these students was their eagerness to understand how theoretical concepts are applied in solving real-world problems,” Ngobi remarked. “We demonstrated how software development integrates with industrial automation, and their engagement was remarkable. Universities need more of these industry immersion experiences.”
The exposure visit involved students from various programs, including Computer Science and Information Technology. They participated in hands-on demonstrations and engaged in discussions about current technological trends and innovations.
Samuel Ocen, Head of Computer Science at Mountains of the Moon University who led the student delegation, highlighted the value of such exposure visits and announced plans for deeper collaboration.
“Going forward, we will attach our students to have practicals at UIRI, which has been long overdue,” said Ocen. “Our curriculum emphasizes practical application of knowledge, and this partnership will ensure our students gain industrial experience while still pursuing their degrees. The comprehensive facilities at UIRI provide learning opportunities that complement our university laboratories perfectly.”
Students expressed enthusiasm about the experience, with many noting how the visit had clarified career pathways and sparked new ideas for final-year projects in the coming years.
The university administration plans to establish a more formal partnership with UIRI that would include regular student attachments, joint research projects, and potential internship opportunities for final-year students.
This initiative aligns with the government’s emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education as key drivers for Uganda’s industrialization agenda and Vision 2040 goals.