IMLS Uganda, Werner Erkes Foundation East Africa bids farewell to 2024 OTH University Germany Students 

The International School of Music, Languages and Polytechnic Studies (IMLS) Bwala-Masaka and the Werner Erkes Foundation East Africa on Monday, September 2nd, 2024, bid farewell to the University of Applied Sciences Regensburg Germany (OTH University) Students after successfully completing their one month Bachelor’s Thesis Project.

The four students are Bachelor of Civil Engineering Students at OTH University Germany who came to Uganda for their final project on August 7th, 2024. These are Martin Kroiβ, Julian Hofer, Vanessa Janoschek and Dieniasz Bieniasz.

Every year, finalists of Engineering come to IMLS to implement their final Bachelor’s project which directly impacts on society. This year, they chose to construct a Water Treatment plant that recycles Sewerage and run off water for reuse at IMLS.

While bidding farewell to the OTH University Students, the Managing Director Werner Erkes Foundation East Africa the founding Organisation of IMLS Dr. Joseph Wasswa (PhD) said, they built a partnership with OTH University in Regensburg with the intention of establishing a strong Technical Department through friends of IMLS in Germany.

“In this arrangement, students from the University under the supervision of Professor Andreas Ottl come to IMLS every year to accomplish their Bachelor’s Thesis. This project begun in 2021 with a feasibility study that was carried out by the OTH Engineering Students working with IMLS students and Teachers.” Dr. Wasswa said.

Dr. Joseph Wasswa, also commended the IMLS team led by the Resident Director Mr. Kizza Aloysius for overseeing this project and receiving the OTH University Students who are going to be ambassadors of Uganda and East Africa in Germany.

“In Germany, many people think Africans know nothing but these students are going to be witnesses that Ugandans are knowledgeable and skilled but only lack adequate tools and finances.” He added.

Mr. Aloysius Kizza, the Resident Director at IMLS  said the school will be grateful to receive more students from OTH University next year.

“This is the 4th time to host OTH students at IMLS since 2021. We thank you for choosing us. This all began from a zoom meeting and the project has moved this long.” Mr. Kizza said.

Ms. Sophia Schaaf, the Chairlady Federation for Music & Culture (FMK) Uganda- Germany the mentor organisation of IMLS Uganda said they are grateful for the good cooperation between OTH University Germany and IMLS which has enabled them to accomplish this 4th project at the IMLS.

Mr. Yiga Joseph, the internal Coordinator of the IMLS-OTH projects said the Water reservoir and treatment plant projects have helped to solve the water scarcity problem at IMLS and hence saving the school from spending on high water bills.

After the feasibility study in 2021, implementation started in 2022 where OTH team at IMLS constructed two ten thousand liter water reservoirs from which water is collected and then pumped to supply the entire IMLS Campus. This year, they have concentrated on a water treatment plant and hopefully next year the project will continue up to the purification stage.

The four OTH University Students jointly shared their great experience in Uganda which they termed as friendly and welcoming and also commended Mr. Joseph Yiga for monitoring their program.

The City of Regensburg is the main link between IMLS and Germany and has sponsored a number of Engineering, Cultural and Music exchange programs for technical, Music and international relations respectively.

About IMLS Uganda.

International School of Music, Languages and Polytechnic Studies (IMLS) Masaka is a meeting place for international scholars, Musicians, cultural scientists, ethnomusicologists, tourists and people who are interested in promoting and merging East Africa and Europe

The school was initiated by Dr. Joseph Wasswa (PhD), the managing Director of the Werner Erkes Foundation East Africa, a musician, a cultural scientist, a winner of the Germany Promotion Award for people with migration backgrounds, a PhD graduate from Regensburg Germany, as an academic institute for all generations and a center of culture in Masaka city, Uganda and East Africa.

IMLS is the only polytechnic institute in Uganda with a well-equipped Music Department with Certificate and Diploma courses in the field of performing Arts and Music Education with local and international lecturers especially from Germany who aim at preparing students for further studies abroad.

IMLS seeks to extend services closer to unprivileged children and youths deep in the villages of greater Masaka and its surroundings who could otherwise never have had access to such a golden chance of exploiting their talents, gaining self-confidence and making themselves ready to face the future with self-sustainability.

The school partners with reputable Institutions and Universities like the Sing and Music School in Regensburg Germany and the Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule (OTH University) in Bayern which have given it international recognition.

For Details about IMLS Uganda visit www.imls-uganda.org

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