The Senate, last week, approved the appointment of Dr. James Gashumba as the new rector of Umutara Polytechnic. The position has been vacant for the last one year.

Gashumba was appointed by the cabinet early this month. He replaces Dr. Philip Brierley, who resigned.

Umutara Polytechnic was accredited as an institution of higher learning in 2006.

 In 2009, the institution was gazetted as a public high learning institution through an act of parliament and is fully regulated and funded by the government.

The population of the Polytechnic has increased from the initial 200 students and 15 staff members in 2006, to over 4, 000 students and 250 staff presently.

This number is projected to grow to 5,000 in 2012, 10,000 by 2015 and 15,000 by 2020 to contribute to the government’s vision towards economic development of the country.

The university specialises in ICT, Agriculture, Technology and Applied Sciences, Commerce and Applied Economics and Veterinary Medicine.
It held its maiden graduation last month.