Rationale

There is an increased demand for skills, especially among chief executives and top managers who seem to be will prepared to handle the fast-changing work environment. The workplace is characterized by increasing technological, social sophistication and the number of highly trained workforce. Challenges posed by these phenomena are further compounded by the rapid shift towards globalization and liberalization of national economics. These emerging trends have put pressure on the executive to attempt to acquire new skills and knowledge in order to remain relevant. Regrettably, the available Masters of Arts in Governance and Ethics (MGE) programmes have remained to the youth, leaving the needs of the middle and top manager unsatisfied. It is worth noting that most issues and practical problems faced by the majority of executive require appropriate mind-sets hence the need to have a programme that is decidedly inter-and multi-disciplinary in both approach and content. The evidence available indicates that an increasing number of top managers and leaders enroll into the existing programmes only to drop out on realizing the constraining nature of existing programmes. Some end up enrolling for such programmes online in foreign universities despite the high costs. Locally, attempts at capturing the growing interest of the executive for higher degrees to upgrade their knowledge and skills have been inhibited by existing polices on mode of delivery, time and duration of programmes, admission criteria, content, assessment and the grading mode among others. This programme aims at producing specialists in Governance and ethics who will be change agents and advocate for good work ethics, good governance practices and effective working environments (Organizational culture and development).

Purpose

The mission of the MGE programme is to produce high-caliber executives through a sensitive multi-disciplinary programme characterized by a dynamic mode of delivery, flexible admission criteria, responsive timing and duration, and a good blend of theory and practical experience in content and design.

Objectives

The main objectives of the programme are to:

1. Provide opportunities to students who wish to specialize and pursue academic careers in governance and ethics through flexible admission, timing and content targeting.
2. Deepen students’ insights into governance, management of public resource both nationally and globally.
3. Facilitate individual consolidation of knowledge and skills through application of modern theory and experience to representative case studies and guided seminars.
4. Produce a pool of highly qualified and motivated governance experts that can contribute to the governance and public sector management.
5. Broaden the participant’s world through and integrated approach to the analysis of the public and private sector issues.

Expected Outcomes

After completion of this programme, students will be able to;

1. Challenge individuals, organizations and networks, at all levels and in different sectors of society, to become more sustained and strategic in their work in governance related issues. Students will have a deepened understanding of the work they are involved in, which will increase their efficiency and creativity in the workplace.
2. Bring about constructive change in their societies through among other things, sharing their knowledge and skills, communicate effectively with a range of audiences at different levels and contribute to both local and global discourse on the subjects of governance and ethics.
3. By making links between theory, action and reflection, students will be able to generate, document and disseminate new knowledge, theory and insights relevant to their work, and further develop the field of governance and ethics.
4. The programme will also establish the student’s knowledge and skills in research, both practically and professionally. It will also help build the critical mass of researchers in Uganda for rapid industrialization and social transformation.

Admission Requirements and Eligibility

Admission to Gulu University is governed by the general University regulations as well as specific regulations required by the Faculty for a particular programme of study. To apply for the MGE Programme, applicants must fulfill the minimum requirement for admission as below;

1. Hold at least an Honours Bachelor’s Degree or its equivalent from a recognized University or institution in any area of specialization.