On Friday, December 6, 2024, the new leadership committee of the Association Générale des Étudiants at Institut Catholique de Kabgayi (AGE-ICK) officially took office, pledging to serve and guide the university’s students throughout the 2024-2025 academic year.
In an exclusive interview with ICK News, Kanangire Pierre, the newly elected AGE-ICK Guild President, shared his strategic plans for working alongside his team to address student concerns and improve their overall experience.
Kanangire, a 24-year-old second-year Finance student at ICK, emphasized his commitment to prioritizing student welfare, particularly in areas such as academic challenges, payment systems, and other related technological issues.
“During this 2024-2025 term, my team and I will focus on enhancing the efficiency of technology-driven systems for tuition payments and learning processes, as many students still face difficulties navigating these platforms,” he noted.
Kanangire highlighted several key initiatives his leadership will prioritize:
Strengthening student clubs: The committee plans to bolster existing student clubs at ICK and establish new ones where necessary. He believes these groups play a vital role in shaping students’ everyday lives by offering unique opportunities for skill development and social engagement.
Addressing delayed grade releases: To address delays in grade releases, the team intends to collaborate closely with university administrators and lecturers to find effective solutions.
Enhanced communication through social media: The committee will leverage platforms like WhatsApp to create direct communication channels between student representatives and the broader student body, ensuring swift and effective issue resolution.
Promoting educational trips: Recognizing the importance of practical learning experiences, Kanangire emphasized the need to revive and expand educational trips to deepen students’ understanding of culture, history, and other key topics.
Strengthening collaboration with ICK News: To improve transparency and foster communication, AGE-ICK plans to collaborate with ICK News to bridge the gap that may appear between students and the administration.
“We are proposing a project to host live discussion sessions on the ICK News YouTube channel. These sessions will feature administrators from various university departments, providing a platform for them to explain their services while giving students a chance to ask questions via phone calls,” Kanangire explained.
He envisions these discussions becoming quarterly events that cater to students from all departments, enhancing issue resolution and transparency.
Boosting extracurricular activities: Kanangire and his team also aim to revamp the university’s sports and entertainment programs.
“Currently, the sports schedule lacks consistency. We plan to introduce a well-structured calendar for sports events to ensure better organization and participation,” he said.
Leadership approach
Kanangire emphasized the importance of fostering a strong bond between the leadership team and the student body.
“First and foremost, we must build a relationship with students, understanding that leadership is not about personal glory but about serving as representatives and advocates for their needs,” he remarked.
He also expressed gratitude to the outgoing committee, acknowledging their contributions and vowing to build upon their foundation.
The 2024-2025 AGE-ICK committee, elected on November 23, 2024, comprises 24 members with distinct but complementary roles, all aimed at addressing students’ challenges and ensuring a supportive academic environment.