The 8th Annual Higher Education Conference 2027

15th to 16th March 2027 · Masaka City

About the Conference

NCHE brings together universities, regulators, researchers, industry and students for two days of dialogue on competence-based education and training, as Uganda prepares to admit its first Competency-Based Curriculum cohort.

15–16 March 2027Masaka CityIn person + Zoom

CONFERENCE THEME

Advancing Competence-Based Education and Training in Higher Education for National Transformation

Four Sub-themes

SUB-THEME 01

Innovative Pedagogies for Competence-Based Teaching and Learning

SUB-THEME 02

Quality Assurance, Assessment and Evaluation

SUB-THEME 03

Industry–Higher Education Partnerships and Work-Integrated Learning

SUB-THEME 04

Digital Transformation, AI and Emerging Technologies

Chief Guest

Invited Guest of Honour

Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni

First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports

Annual Edition

Days of Event

Keynote Speakers

Conference Sub-Themes

How the Conference Works

Keynotes and plenaries

Expert keynotes and a high-level national plenary.

Moderated panels

Discussion panels led by experts.

Focused sessions

Move between halls by sub-theme.

In person and online

Masaka City venue plus Zoom webinar.

Our Goal

A national and international platform for dialogue, research dissemination and strategic collaboration that advances competence-based education and training for graduate competence, innovation, employability and national transformation.

Conference Objectives

Explore innovative pedagogies for competence-based teaching and learning.
Examine quality assurance and assessment systems for competence-based higher education.
Strengthen partnerships between higher education institutions, industry and communities.
Assess the role of digital technologies, artificial intelligence and emerging innovations.
Provide a platform for research dissemination, stakeholder dialogue and review of the 7th conference resolutions.

Expected Outcomes

Wider adoption of innovative, competence-based pedagogies.
Improved quality assurance, assessment and evaluation frameworks.
Stronger partnerships for experiential learning and graduate employability.
Greater adoption of digital technologies and AI in teaching, learning, research and management.
High-quality research findings and evidence-based practices disseminated.
Progress on the 7th conference resolutions reviewed and shared.
Stronger national, regional and international collaboration.
Policy recommendations for effective implementation of competence-based education and training.

Keynote Speakers

Leading voices on competence-based education and training

Dr. Bas Giesbers

Maastricht University, Netherlands

TOPIC:

Transforming Higher Education for Competence Development: Innovative Pedagogies, Digital Learning and the Future of Teaching

Prof. Grace W. Bunyi

Kenyatta University, Kenya

TOPIC:

From Curriculum Reform to Classroom Transformation: Lessons from Kenya’s Competency-Based Education Journey for Higher Education

Dr. Clement Adamba

Director, Legon Centre for Education Research and Policy, University of Ghana

TOPIC:

Transitioning African Universities to Competence-Based Education: Building Industry-Responsive Curricula, Assessment and Graduate Competencies

High-Level National Transformation Plenary

“From Competencies to Economic Transformation: What Human Capital Does Uganda Need for the Next Decade?”

Speakers are proposed and subject to confirmation.

Dr. Ramathan Ggoobi

Permanent Secretary / Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development

Aligning Higher Education and Human Capital Development with NDP IV and the Tenfold Growth Strategy

Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba

Deputy Governor, Bank of Uganda

Future-Ready Graduates: Financial, Digital, Entrepreneurial and Innovation Competencies for Uganda’s Changing Economy

Private-Sector / Industry Leader

To be confirmed

What Employers Actually Need from the Competence-Based Graduate

Moderated High-Level Dialogue

All panellists

Are Uganda’s Universities Producing the Human Capital Required for National Transformation?

Presenters

Researchers and experts in competence-based curricula, industry partnerships and emerging technologies

Mr. Dan Odongo

Executive Director, Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB)

TOPIC:

Assessing Competencies for Transition to Higher Education: What Universities Should Expect from Uganda’s Competency-Based Secondary Education Graduates

Dr. Richard Cliffe Ssenyunzi

Senior Lecturer, Busitema University

TOPIC:

From Content-Based to Competence-Based Learning: Applying Activity-Based and Project-Based Pedagogies in Higher Education

Dr. Ana Luísa Rodrigues

Institute of Education, University of Lisbon

TOPIC:

Harnessing Innovative and Digital Pedagogies for Competence-Based Higher Education

Dr. Vincent Ssembatya

Director, Quality Assurance and Accreditation, NCHE

TOPIC:

Operationalising NCHE Minimum Standards for Competence-Based Education and Training in Higher Education

Dr. Liliana Bedoya

Maastricht University, Netherlands

TOPIC:

Reorienting Quality Assurance for Competence-Based Higher Education: From Compliance to Evidence of Graduate Competence

Prof. Michael Mawa

Head, Quality Assurance and Qualifications Framework Unit, IUCEA

TOPIC:

Quality Assuring Competence-Based Higher Education: Regional Standards, Assessment and Lessons from the East African Higher Education Area

Prof. Mouhamad Mpezamihigo

Vice Chancellor, Equator University of Science and Technology

TOPIC:

Institutional Readiness for Uganda’s First Competency-Based Cohort: Reorienting Curricula, Faculty, Assessment and Student Support Systems

Shillah Anembabazi

President, UNSA; Student, Victoria University

TOPIC:

Ready to Learn Differently? Student Preparedness, Expectations and Support Needs in Competence-Based Higher Education

Dr. Ezra Muhumuza

CEO, Uganda Manufacturers Association

TOPIC:

Making Industry a Co-Educator: Models for Internships, Apprenticeships and Industry-Based Assessment

Dr. Alexandre Francisco

Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon

TOPIC:

Strengthening Industry–Higher Education Partnerships for Competence Development and Work-Based Learning

Mr. Nicholas Mbonimpa

CEO, Research and Education Network for Uganda (RENU)

TOPIC:

Digital Infrastructure as an Enabler of Competence-Based Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Become a Sponsor

Join us in shaping the future of higher education in Uganda. Gain visibility, build relationships with key stakeholders, and contribute to a historic milestone.

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Session Chairs

Nominated by thematic area

Innovative Pedagogies for Competence-Based Teaching and Learning

Prof. Proscovia Namubiru Ssentamu

Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, UNITE

Quality Assurance, Assessment, and Evaluation

Dr. Swabra Yahya Umutoni

Head of Quality Assurance, Equator University of Science and Technology, Masaka

Industry-Higher Education Partnerships and Work-Integrated Learning

Prof. Patrick E. Kyamanywa

Vice Chancellor, Uganda Martyrs University

Digital Transformation, Artificial Intelligence, and Emerging Technologies

Prof. Vincent Kakembo

Vice Chancellor, Muteesa I Royal University

Join us in Masaka City

15th to 16th March 2027 · In person and online via Zoom

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