Kyambogo graduate becomes first international student elected into Norwegian University parliament

President of ISU HiOA and masters student, Henry Mutebe, got elected into the HiOA Student parliament. Photo Credit: Nicklas Knudsen He is a second year student pursuing a...

President of ISU HiOA and masters student, Henry Mutebe, got elected into the HiOA Student parliament. Photo Credit: Nicklas Knudsen
President of ISU HiOA and masters student, Henry Mutebe, got elected into the HiOA Student parliament. Photo Credit: Nicklas Knudsen

He is a second year student pursuing a master’s degree in Multicultural and International Education at Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences (HiOA).

Ugandan student Henry Mutebe has been elected into the Norwegian University parliament as the only, and possibly first, international student.

Oslo and Akershus University College is the largest state university college in Norway, with more than 16,000 students and 1,700 employees. This University offers higher education programs at bachelor’s, master’s and PhD level.

“I am very shocked, because I did not expect this,” he says.

He graduated from Kyambogo University with a first class degree in Development Studies and was retained to start teaching at age of 22.

Now 30, Henry Mutebe says he wants to break new ground and allow international students to participate and contribute fully in all University activities.

“It is not that they feel excluded, they just do not feel included,” he says

Henry is reported to be an advocate for women, girl child education and minorities.

Rector at HiOA, Curt Rice, is excited about the news of an exchange student being elected into the Student Parliament.

“I think that is a positive, and a very natural development, on an international higher education institution like HiOA. Internationalization is extremely important for the leadership at HiOA, and this is one of many very welcome developments” Rice says.

marvin@ugchristiannews.com

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