| Masters in Public Procurement |
| 2012-01-31 00:46:21 |
UGANDA MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE
HIGHER DEGREES DEPARTMENT
ANNOUNCES
The launch of a two-year Masters in Public Procurement to be offered by the Higher Degrees Department with effect from the 2012/2013 academic year. This will be the first such programme in the history of Uganda.
1.0. INTRODUCTION
Over the past decades sound public procurement management has become a key milestone of good governance and national progress. Its significance for social and economic development is reflected in the fact that it constitutes a sizeable proportion of the national economy (15 to 30 per cent of national GDP). Public Procurement is, therefore, one of today's fastest growing management disciplines, in terms of both managerial activity and strategic importance. To manage the increasingly complex function of public procurement, procurement personnel need conceptual, technical, and human skills. This Masters Degree is intended for participants to cope with the challenges of regulating, executing and monitoring public procurement in an economically, politically, technologically and socially dynamic public sector environment. Its uniqueness will be its emphasis on the comprehensive coverage of the four pillars of effective national public procurement system namely (1) the legal framework, (2) institutional and managerial arrangements, (3) market dynamics and (4) the systems for fighting corruption. The programme will impart the necessary procurement technical and management skills while stressing the importance of professional and ethical behavior and expectation to execute procurement functions with the citizens needs at the forefront.
Uganda’s National Development Plan (2010) rightly identifies that there is a human resource gap in a number of public administration core functions. Public procurement is singled out as one of the areas of public financial management that will affect the realization of the national development plan. Existing courses in procurement are too generic and lack a special focus on the public procurement function. Uganda and Africa do not have a single specialized public procurement programme. Throughout the world, there are at least the following specialized Masters Degrees in Public Procurement:-
• Masters of Science Degree in Public Procurement for sustainable development launched in 2006 by the International training centre of the international labor organization in partnership with the University of Turin in Italy.
• Masters Degree in Public procurement launched in 2007 by the University of Rome.
• Certificate programme in Public Procurement at Florida Atlantic University.
This will be a coursework (taught) and research based Masters Degree. Like other Higher Degree programmes at Uganda Management Institute, the Masters in Public Procurement Management degree shall consist of three semesters of academic study and one additional semester for either a dissertation or seminal paper constituting a total duration of two years. The programme is made up of 12 compulsory taught core modules and three specialization modules obtained from a range of 4 choices in different sectors of the public arena. In addition, participants will be required to complete either a dissertation or a seminar paper relating to their specific selected field of research interest but using skills and knowledge obtained from any of the taught modules in previous semesters.
2.0. PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES
The orientation of the programme embraces practical as well as academic aims, forming a platform for either further academic study or professional development where appropriate. Alongside objectives relating to specific modules and to the achievement of a balance between theory and practice, the intention is also to encourage development of a mix of personal skills, which may be useful to the individual in a wider context. The aim of the programme is to develop participants with a sound understanding of Procurement Management principles and practices and who will be able to make a significant contribution to their organization’s competitive effectiveness as well as to the wider environment of society as a whole by managing the procurement function in an extra ordinary, efficient and effective way.
Specifically, the programme aims to prepare participants with knowledge, skills and attitudes in the following aspects:
• Knowledge in leading-edge concepts in public procurement management with a view to adapting these concepts to the modern work environment of the public sector.
• Planning and preparation strategies for improving the procurement processes in public sector organizations.
• Application of the principles that guide public and non-public procurement with emphasis on efficiency, economy and transparency in order to maximize the use of available funds for addressing poverty and facilitating national development.
• Utilization of the existing international good practices related to all steps of the procurement cycle and can select tools and templates to support these practices.
• Development of a knowledge base through both the taught and research elements of the programme, such that participants can continue their professional development post-qualification in the discipline of public procurement.
3.0. TARGET GROUP
In recognition of the developments and aware of the needs of the public sector in Uganda, the Masters Degree in Public Procurement Management will suit the public procurement officers and those aspiring to join the public procurement function at any level-central, local and parastatal level. Even those in the private sector, the programme will enable them understand the machinery of government. Other employees and officers in government, public sector industries, local government agencies and government aides institutions engaged in various levels of procurement as user departments stores, finance, projects, corporate planning and other allied activities of a public/private sector organization will find the programme of significant relevance. This programme will also be useful for fresh graduates who want to make a career in public procurement and for employees and executives of private sector and NGO sector who engage in direct or indirect supply of goods, services and works to government agencies. The programme is equally appropriate for executives with experience in other aspects of business that wish to acquire a closer understanding of the procurement discipline.
4.0. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants to the MPP program must meet the general requirements for admission to Graduate Programmes set by NCHE and Uganda Management Institute. Specially, applicants must possess the following:-
3. A Bachelors Degree from an institution of higher learning recognized and accredited by NCHE in any area of study from a recognized institution or a professional qualification from a recognized professional body.
4. Working experience of at least two years will be an added advantage.
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