Victoria University Vice Chancellor Prof. Muganga Receives Global Impact Award In Toronto For Transforming Education

By Gad Masereka

Ugandan academic and education reformist Professor Lawrence Muganga has received international recognition after being honoured with the Global Impact Award at the Excellence Awards held at the Meridian Arts Centre in Toronto, Canada.

The award celebrates individuals whose work is transforming lives globally, and for Prof. Muganga, it marks a significant acknowledgment of his tireless efforts to revolutionise education and bridge the gap between traditional learning and real-world applicability.

As Vice Chancellor of Victoria University in Kampala, Prof. Muganga has positioned himself at the forefront of educational reform across Africa, championing a system that values practical learning, innovation, and adaptability.

The organisers of the Excellence Awards described him as a “visionary leader redefining the purpose of education in the 21st century,” highlighting his contribution to transforming learning into a tool for empowerment rather than mere certification.

In his acceptance speech, Prof. Muganga expressed deep gratitude and humility, attributing the award to the collective dedication of African educators who continue to push the boundaries of conventional teaching. “This is not just my award,” he said. “It belongs to every African educator who dares to dream of an education that empowers, inspires, and transforms lives. We must create systems that do not just produce graduates but thinkers, innovators, and problem-solvers ready to meet the challenges of a changing world.”

Since assuming leadership at Victoria University, Prof. Muganga has steered the institution toward a model that prioritises Work-Integrated Learning (WIL), a framework designed to equip students with industry experience before graduation.

The approach, the first of its kind in East and Central Africa, ensures that learning is tied to professional exposure, thereby increasing graduates’ employability and entrepreneurial readiness. His commitment to Competency-Based Education (CBE) has also reshaped academic delivery, shifting focus from memorisation to mastery, from theory to skill, and from instruction to innovation.

Under his leadership, Victoria University has embraced technology as a cornerstone of modern education, integrating Artificial Intelligence and digital learning tools to prepare students for an increasingly automated world.

These reforms have earned the university recognition as one of the most dynamic higher learning institutions in the region, with a growing reputation for producing graduates who are globally competitive and adaptable.

Beyond his work at Victoria University, Prof. Muganga’s influence extends into global education policy, where he continues to advise governments and international organisations on building systems that align education with national development goals.

His vision of “education that matters” challenges traditional paradigms and encourages educators to view learning as an evolving ecosystem that must respond to technological and social change.

Colleagues and fellow academics at the University of Alberta in Canada, where he once studied and lectured, have described him as a bridge between two worlds an African visionary with global insight. “Prof. Muganga’s work reminds us that Africa is not a passive participant in the global education conversation. It is an active contributor shaping the future,” one organiser noted during the awards ceremony.

The recognition in Toronto was not merely a personal victory but a moment of collective pride for Uganda and the continent. It reaffirmed Africa’s growing footprint in educational innovation and the potential of local thinkers to influence global discourse.

For many Ugandans, Prof. Muganga’s story represents the power of resilience and vision, proving that transformative leadership can begin at home and inspire the world.

As the applause faded in the grand hall of the Meridian Arts Centre, Prof. Muganga’s message lingered that education, when reimagined and rooted in relevance, has the power to change not only individuals but entire generations.

His journey from Kampala to Toronto, marked by dedication and purpose, continues to serve as a testament to the boundless potential of African intellect when given a global platform.