Higher Education Financial Leaders Attend One-Day Training Workshop to Strengthen Financial Management Practices
Financial managers, bursars, and accountants from higher education institutions gathered for a one-day intensive training workshop aimed at enhancing financial management practices, optimizing resource use, and exploring effective resource mobilization strategies.
The workshop was officially opened by Prof. Eriabu Lugujjo, Executive Director of the Uganda Vice Chancellors’ Forum (UVCF), the host of the event. In his opening remarks, Prof. Lugujjo emphasized that capacity building, collaboration, and partnership are part of UVCF’s core mandate to enhance the quality of education in Uganda’s higher education institutions.
The program featured five expert-led sessions:
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Session 1: Financial Management in Higher Education
Facilitated by Mr. Paul Mark Kayongo FCCA/ACCA, FCRA, CPA (UG), MBA (MAK), BSc (Oxford), this session provided an overview of financial management principles specific to universities, budgeting techniques, financial planning, and compliance with financial reporting standards. -
Session 2: Resource Mobilization Strategies
This session equipped participants with skills to identify and access diverse funding sources, develop effective fundraising proposals, and build strong partnerships with industry and alumni networks. -
Session 3: Cybersecurity Awareness
Focused on cybersecurity training for university leadership, this session highlighted the importance of protecting financial systems and maintaining data integrity. -
Session 4: Financial Sustainability & Risk Management
Participants discussed strategies for ensuring long-term financial health, including investment planning, portfolio management, and risk mitigation practices. -
Session 5: Technology in Financial Management
The final session explored the use of financial management information systems, leveraging technology to improve efficiency, and ensuring the security and integrity of financial data.
The workshop also clearly distinguished the roles of bursars and financial managers, noting that bursars traditionally oversee operational financial management, while financial managers are increasingly responsible for strategic financial planning and risk management.
Participants departed equipped with critical knowledge and tools to improve financial accountability, promote sustainable institutional growth, and contribute to the overall advancement of higher education in Uganda.