(On October 20, 2022, the main campus of Uganda Christian University (UCU) officially opened a writing center located at Hamu Mukasa Library. Guided by Prof. Tom Deans, director of a writing center at the University of Connecticut, USA, the purpose was to help students improve their writing skills in all disciplines. The model is one of personalised support to students through one-on-one coaching, workshops, and other resources. According to Kajubi Martin, the center’s acting manager, over 200 students have been served. Michael Ainomugisha, a student in the UCU School of Journalism, Media and Communication, interviewed a few of these students.)
Said Muhamod – School of Social Sciences
“As an international student from Somalia, I used to struggle to write essays and tasks. The Writing Center has helped me develop my skills in essay writing, research methodologies, and dissertations. They offered individual feedback on my work, including advice on proper formatting and directions. Weekly lessons aimed to improve my grammar and fluency, which greatly improved my abilities to write and speak English. Furthermore, the Center taught me how to write resumes and application letters. The Writing Center has been excellent in assisting me in adapting to my assignments and overcoming language barriers, considerably improving my academic achievement and communication skills.”
Agenorwot Daphine Amone – Faculty of Engineering, Design and Technology
“One of the reasons I went to the Writing Centre was because I needed help to improve my writing skills in terms of essays and answering assignments. I was connected to a coach in a course unit, and I have learned a lot and improved my writing. I believe that learning is an ongoing process, so I will continue to attend the sessions at the Writing Center. Also. I have learned communication skills, particularly in public speaking. Mr. Kajubi helped us with presentations in class, and we practised talking about ourselves, which helped me gain confidence and be the best version of ourselves when speaking to a large audience. I believe that I will continue to learn from the Writing Center and continue to improve my writing skills.”
Nambuya Whitney Gladys – School of Business
“I got to know about the Writing Center after visiting the library regularly, and I saw the poster outside. I also had two of my classmates who are members of the Writing Center so I got to know more about it from them. The coaches have guided us on how to write our dissertations, which is one of the requirements as you are graduating in our final year of the course. It’s interesting, we learn more and this is a point in time where I was supposed to write something like a review which was one of the questions that we were doing in game Writing and Study skills two, so it kind of challenged me. I would rate my writing to 8.5 (out of 10) before seeking help. I would really struggle with how to write particular things like limits of the CV, the letters. I was narrowed down to some basic things but after interacting more with them, I got guidance and more things that would be beneficial for me when I move out of the university.”
Kukundakwe Hope – School of Business
“The UCU Writing Center has been a transformative resource for me. I’ve learned how to make proper references and citations, write essays and approach my coursework with greater confidence. The guidance I’ve received on how to write my course units has been invaluable. This support has significantly elevated my coursework marks and improved my CGPA. The coaches at the Writing Centre have been helpful, providing assistance and ensuring I understand the best approaches to my coursework. They go above and beyond to help us excel in our dissertations and research work, which has greatly enhanced my overall academic performance. My experience at the Writing Centre has been exceptional, and I am grateful for the skills and knowledge gained. Their commitment to student success is evident, and I highly recommend their services to any student looking to improve their academic writing and performance.”
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