This he argues that, it has helped to spread the right information, sensitize and share ideas with fellow students, including those from other universities…
The COVID 19 pandemic has not been all about gloom, many innovations have sprouted in this period. Many have taken on ideas they had swept under the carpet. Other have managed to test their resolve on talents they had not yet practiced. And Patrick Asaba, a third-year student of clinical medicine at the Kampala International University, has not been exempt from refining his gift of public speaking and writing, centered on giving the right information about Corona virus disease.
Through his assemblage ‘Timeless Mission’, a student-based organization, where he is President, Asaba has managed to host wide-ranging dialogues with many of his peers on different online platforms. The discussions are built around public speaking, dialogues, writing, and poetry.
With an assertive and passionate demeanor, he has been organizing thematic debates, dialogues, and poetry competitions on the organization’s ‘WhatsApp’ group, a mobile phone application which he feels can be accessed by many with smart phones. This he argues that, it has helped to spread the right information, sensitize and share ideas with fellow students, including those from other universities like Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Uganda Christian University, Bishop Stuart University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and Kabale University.
Speaking to the University’s Publicity department, Asaba said that, he and his colleagues had taken on a cybernetic approach to keep the conversation flourishing. “We choose participants who send in their submissions in form of voice notes on WhatsApp, and these are vetted by our judges who then decide who the winners are,” he explained the selection process.
“So far, the virtual debate has gone well because we have received submissions from people all over the country. Some of our KIU administrators like Dean of Students Western Campus, Maureen Asiimwe, and Public Relations Officer Collins Kakwezi have participated in our discussions as well.” He supplemented.
All the people he listed are influential among the student community and would help in the sensitization process.
The gist of the debates and engagements is the emphasis of staying away from the public and crowded gatherings, because they observe the importance of following the Ministry of Health guidelines on prevention amongst the followers on the platform provided, to educate, share ideas and sensitize other students.
By CivSource Team