Makerere Universiy, in partnership with Stanbic Bank Uganda, has offered laptops to students on loan basis a affordable interest rates. This was officially announced on Thursday March 10, at the “laptop launch” event.
In respect to this new establishment, Makerere University students will be able to get laptops for as low as 70,000 Uganda Shillings, which shall be the monthly premium under the loan agreement. In order to acquire one, students shall have to apply and the successful applicants shall be contacted to pick the laptops.
There are three available categories of the offered laptops including: the lower end, second level and third level. These come with a free maintenance service from the service providers and a one year warrant.
The offer is available for both students and staff.
Professor Barnabas Nawangwe who graced the launch, said the intention of an initiative like this is to give every student a chance to learn computing. He also pledged to champion the cause further to senate.
Stanbic Bank’s representative, Sam Mwogeza said that the initiative is meant to aide students in their learning process.
According to Makerere’s 87th Guild speaker Gatuya Muchyo, it is quite a shock to see Makerere University students that have no laptop, adding that they had no more excuses to make.
The students appreciated and welcomed the development saying that its been quite burdensome for one to learn online without smartphones nor laptops.
“The initiative is so important. Many of us come from humble backgrounds. We have had lectures online, some of our colleagues have no smartphones. Its been a struggle, this initiative will help us,” Robert Sembaja, a student from the college of education and external studies revealed.
Stanbic Bank’s chief executive officer Anne Juuko said that they are not only stopping on laptops but shall continue to partner with the university. Anne told students to utilize all avenues noting that Facebook was began at a university thus the students can do even better.
The initiative comes at a time when Makerere university is conducting blended learning with quite a number of students attaching their absence in lectures to lack of gadgets such as smartphones and laptops.