Soroti University (SUN), is a public multi-campus university in Uganda. It is one of the nine public universities and degree-awarding institutions in the country.
Soroti University, by Statutory Instrument No. 34 of July 2015 became a fully-fledged Public University under the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act of 2001 as amended.
Section 24 (2) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, 2001 (as amended in, 2006) outlines the functions of a University as: provision of higher education, promotion of research and advancement of learning.
Other stipulated functions are dissemination of knowledge and giving opportunity of acquiring higher education to all persons including persons with disabilities wishing to do so regardless of race, political opinion, colour, creed, or sex, and provision of accessible physical facilities to the users of the Public University.
Soroti University is the 9th Public University in the country.
The University is located in Soroti district, seven (7) kilometres from Soroti town along Moroto Road.
Soroti University is led by a University Council, the supreme governing body, and a Vice-Chancellor, who is the chief academic and administrative head of the university. The current Vice-Chancellor is Professor Robert Ikoja-Odongo. The University Council includes various representatives from the government, university staff, and the community.
Key Leadership Positions:
Chancellor: Professor Francis Omaswa.
Vice Chancellor: Professor Robert Ikoja-Odongo.
History
The government of Uganda, following lobbying by stakeholders from the Teso sub-region, decided in 2012 to establish a public university in Soroti District. A five-person task-force, headed by founding vice chancellor Robert Ikoja, was named by the Uganda minister of education in September 2012 to prepare for the opening of the university.
Soroti University was expected to open in August 2013. In that month,
However, Construction of the university main building began in June 2014 with completion expected 24 months later. In June 2015, the government of Uganda, officially created Soroti University as a public institution, when the minister of Education, Science and Technology and Sports, then, Maj. Jessica Alupo, introduced a Statutory Instrument followed by a resolution of Parliament to the same effect.
As of February 2018, the pioneer class of students were expected to begin classes in August 2018. After delays, the university admitted the first cohort of students on 17 August 2019.
University Philosophy
Soroti University is being established as “a developmental university” that will become the engine for community engagement, empowerment and development.
The programmes and activities in the university are shaped by the desire to transform lives, communities and the nation while responding to international and other emerging society needs.
The University strategic directions are based on pillars and strategic imperatives where every one and all people can contribute or learn from. Our core approach to training and education is “hands on and minds on” philosophy Mandate: Soroti University’s mandate is to train competent and competitive professionals capable of serving in all parts of the country, and the region in Applied Sciences.
Vision: “A University of professionals and innovators”
Mission: “To provide knowledge, skills and innovations for inclusive sustainable development and transformation”.
Core Values:
In fulfilment of the vision and strategic goal, the University believes in and cherishes a set of principles and values that underpin its mission. These values define the University’s culture in dealing with clients as well as conduct and relationship with one another. These include:
Teamwork- We seek to understand how we can best support each other and make choices that put team before individual performance
Integrity- We act in harmony with our deeply held beliefs and values
Inclusiveness- We respect diversity of opinions, racial differences, gender, faith, people with different physical abilities and different political ideologies.
Responsiveness- We shall respond to our clients in a timely manner.
Creativity – we are inspired to bring our imagination to life.
The Goal is; “To be a widely recognized community-oriented University that brings together theoretical knowledge with practical education that impacts on social and economic development”.