By Julius Luwemba
Willy Ofwono Osinde, the principal for Fisheries Training Institute (FTI) revealed that the institution has reviewed and developed more courses within the subsisting curriculum in order to have a competence-based education system which imparts more skills than classroom notes. Osinde made the revelation on Wednesday, while commissioning a solar-powered water pumping and solar battery back-up system at the institute in Entebbe municipality.
According to Osinde, FTI received sh600m during the financial year 2022/23 for solar-powered pumping system, curriculum development and mapping of institutions where students’ placement can be done at the end of the semester. He noted that all the three activities have been accomplished. “We have reviewed the curriculum and submitted the final draft to the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE),” stated Osinde.
A review of the curriculum provides for diploma in integrated agriculture and aquaculture, diploma in boat building and vessel mechanics as well as diploma in fisheries management training. According to the principal, a review shall be done every three years as a requirement by the NCHE.
Osinde remains optimistic that the reviews to the curriculum will soon be approved, saying they have passed through the required steps. “The remaining step is to check on the facilities to ascertain whether they match with the curriculum, and we hope it will be complete before the end of February 2024,” stated the principal.
There are currently three diploma courses offered at Entebbe Fisheries Training Institute which include, diploma in integrated agriculture and aquaculture, diploma in fisheries management training, diploma in boat building and marine mechanics as well as certificate in aquaculture and national certificate of agriculture.
Solar-powered infrastructure
The Wednesday event presided over by Ronald Segawa, the undersecretary, who also represented the permanent secretary for the Ministry of agriculture, animal industry and fisheries, saw the commissioning of solar-powered water pumping and solar battery backup system. According to Isaac Kyeyune, the project manager, a 9.65kw solar array system was installed to provide power for the water pumping system and also charge batteries for alternative lighting of critical areas of the fisheries training institute.
“The installed solar water pumping system has been optimised and capable of delivering up to 36 cubic metres of water per day, which exceeds the average daily water requirement, hence able to freeze the water bills,” Kyeyune explained.
The project manager also revealed that the installed solar-battery lighting system is capable of providing light for more than two days even when the sunshine hours are at minimum. He avers that the lighting system will potentially lower the electricity bills for the institute. “Therefore, the expected payback period of the project is estimated to be 3-4years since solar systems require almost no maintenance costs,” Kyeyune remarked.
