The Uganda Vice Chancellors Forum (UVCF) held its 15th Annual Conference on 15–16 October 2026 at Lake Victoria Granada Hotel in Entebbe, bringing together Vice Chancellors and leaders of higher education institutions to reflect on the future of universities and the reforms needed to sustain their relevance in a rapidly changing world.
Held under the theme “Rethink, Reform or Risk Irrelevance,” the conference challenged university leaders to critically examine existing practices, embrace innovation and pursue meaningful institutional reforms that respond to changing societal needs and the evolving demands of higher education.
The conference was officially opened by the Executive Director of the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), who called on universities to take a deliberate and measurable approach to learning reform. The Executive Director emphasised the need for each university to identify a priority area for learning reform, establish clear and measurable indicators to track progress, and develop or strengthen institutional policies to support implementation.
The opening remarks also highlighted the importance of collaboration and benchmarking among universities, enabling institutions to learn from one another, share good practices and strengthen the effectiveness of their reforms.
A key highlight of the conference was the keynote address delivered by Professor Stijn Coenen, President of Thomas More University of Applied Sciences in Belgium, who addressed the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shaping the university of the future. His address highlighted the growing role of AI in higher education and encouraged universities to consider how emerging technologies can be integrated into teaching, learning and institutional operations to remain relevant in an increasingly technology-driven environment.
In his remarks, Professor Paul Waako, Chairperson of UVCF and Vice Chancellor of Busitema University, welcomed the participating Vice Chancellors and appreciated member universities for their continued commitment to the Forum, including payment of annual subscriptions and active participation in its activities. He highlighted the growth in UVCF membership and recognised the achievements of member institutions.
Professor Waako also expressed appreciation to the conference sponsors for their support and contribution towards the successful organisation of the annual gathering. He underscored the importance of continued partnerships in supporting UVCF’s work and strengthening engagement across the higher education sector.
The two-day conference provided a platform for university leaders to exchange ideas, share institutional experiences and explore opportunities for collaboration in addressing emerging challenges and opportunities in higher education.
The discussions reaffirmed UVCF’s role as a platform for dialogue, advocacy, knowledge sharing and collaboration among university leaders. They also underscored the importance of moving beyond identifying challenges to implementing practical reforms supported by institutional policies, measurable outcomes and sustained collaboration.
As universities navigate technological advances and changing expectations, the message of the 15th Annual Conference was clear: higher education institutions must be willing to rethink their approaches, reform their systems and learn from one another to remain relevant and impactful.
Through its continued engagement with member institutions, UVCF remains committed to providing a united voice for universities and advancing a responsive, innovative and sustainable higher education sector in Uganda.
