Technology

International Hospital of Kampala launches the School of Business & Applied Technology (SOBAT)

By Joseph Lubandi

Posted on December 14, 2017

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International Health Sciences University currently based at the International Hospital of Kampala is launching a new type of school called The School of Business & Applied Technology (SOBAT). The Hospital that is now in its tenth year of training medical professionals prides itself on a heritage in the private health sector.

SOBAT is partnering with business and industry to offer a range of degree and executive short courses. SOBAT has a Bachelor of Business Administration starting in April, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Technology Innovation starting in February. They already have a Certificate in Applied ICT and Leadership running every 6 months, supported by ICT businesses like Microsoft and are now receiving applications for these courses. For those already in management roles, SOBAT offers executive short courses.

SOBAT is part of a vision to fast track prosperity for Uganda, with a focus on exports. Our programs are designed to upskill and develop character among potential business managers and entrepreneurs at various career stages (school leaver, in work, already a business manager) in the shortest possible time.

The School uses experiential learning approach, facilitators, with business management and international experience and blending face-to-face with online technology. Funding their degree programs are supported by a combination of scholarships and apprenticeships.

In the wake of it’s launch, Dr Ian Clarke, Chair of the Clarke Group and Promoter of SoBAT notes that; “The reasons for broadening the university from purely health sciences to business, is that as an entrepreneur, I have found that new graduates are mostly unsuitable for employment because they have been trained in theory which they cannot apply.

He further added that; “I have heard the same complaint from other businesses, which find it difficult to hire, for example, marketing staff, even though the graduates have a qualification in marketing.”

SOBAT is designed to be practically based: to work with businesses themselves so that when a student graduates, he or she has a sound practical understanding of what they have been trained in.

The other difference is that SOBAT will lay particular emphasis on values, which build character in order that the graduate becomes a valuable employee. As part of the course, he/she will be taught the importance of being reliable, honest, hardworking, punctual and a problem solver.”

Mr Jamie MacAlister, Director, SoBAT noted that; “We have adopted the phrase: “A Prosperous Life Starts Here”, because our partnerships with business and industry, and our practical experiential approach, mean that our emphasis is on skills and character development and that you start applying these in real work situations from the start of the course. You don’t wait until your course is complete, only to discover that you are still missing the skills you need to be effective in your work”

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