MUBS Ag. Deputy Principal Prof. Rachel Mindra Katoroogo with Prof. Ngozi Joe-Ikechebelu, a Nigerian scholar
DESIRED Project a two year (Oct 2025 – Oct 2027) collaborative initiative is funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Programme, designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry practice in accounting education.
The project seeks to enhance the employability of accounting graduates in Uganda and Nigeria by integrating Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) into accounting curricula, ensuring that students acquire both technical knowledge and practical workplace competencies demanded by today’s dynamic business environment.
In a move to strengthen the project collaboration, Makerere University Business School (MUBS) hosted Nigerian scholar Prof. Ngozi Joe-Ikechebelu from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Anambra State, Nigeria. Prof. Ngozi’s visit, was part of DESIRED Benchmark exchange tour of Nigerian partners to Uganda partners (MUBS, and MAT ABACUS BUSINESS SCHOOL).
During her visit, she engaged accounting students on the skills and professional competencies needed to meet today’s industry demands. The visit featured a keynote address at the 10th Accounting Students Association of Makerere University (ASAMU) Summit, where she expanded on these themes by discussing emerging trends in the accounting profession, shifting industry expectations, and the practical capabilities graduates must develop to remain competitive in both regional and global markets.
The ASAMU Summit is one of the events co-sponsored by DESIRED Project in effort to bring students closer to the employers through dialogue and high-level interactions.
Welcomed by MUBS Acting Deputy Principal, Prof. Racheal K. Mindra, Prof. Ngozi’s visit forms part of an ongoing effort to bridge the gap between academic training and industry demands, ensuring that accounting graduates are equipped with the practical competencies, ethical grounding, and professional confidence required in today’s dynamic business environment.
Building on this objective, Prof. Ngozi Joe-Ikechebelu used her engagement to highlight the growing importance of practical exposure, integrity, digital proficiency, and continuous learning, key attributes she noted are essential for cultivating successful and resilient accounting careers across Africa. Her message aligned strongly with the broader purpose of the summit, which underscored the value of cross-border university collaborations in enhancing student learning, expanding professional networks, and fostering innovation through shared expertise.
MUBS is committed to strengthening such regional partnerships, giving students access to international perspectives and opening wider opportunities for professional development within the accounting discipline.