**5.4 HEAC as an alternative entry route, sustainability and progress**

In this study, we analyzed three HEAC programmes accredited by NCHE. These are the programmes being implemented by the universities. Our interest was to document the category of the certificate, eligibility criteria, the programme contents and the linkage to STEM in terms of the subjects. We present our results in **Table 1** below.

The results in the above table reveal that HEAC plays an important role in the continuity of STEM.

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Figure 3.
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*HEAC model on the input and output aspects.*

Results of this study indicate that the HEAC programme has been accredited by the NCHE, Uganda as a fifth entry route to enroll for Diploma or degree programmes, the other routes being "Direct" or A-Level, Diploma, degree and Mature Age Entry. The programme has become institutionalized and can be sustained by institutions through admission of private students and has already attracted privately sponsored students and those sponsored through other scholarships. HEAC has attracted privately sponsored by parents and other well-wishers. Gradually, the professional bodies are recognizing the HEAC programme.

HEAC bridging programme has been developed and institutionalized at a total of nine universities, namely: BU, MUST, GU, Kabale University, Muni University, Lira University, Bishop Stuart University, Kyambogo University and Mountains of the Moon University. To date, 697 students have enrolled on the HEAC program in five universities, namely BU, MUST, GU, Kabale University and Muni University. FAWEU is supporting Mountains of the Moon University and Lira University to redefine and customize the new curriculum in preparation for its rollout.

Four new universities, namely: Ndejje University, Soroti University, Kyambogo University and Uganda Christian University have also adopted the HEAC program. This brings the total number of partner universities implementing HEAC in Uganda to 13. For example, all the 53 HEAC students of the first cohort from BU were admitted to university-level study programs-2 on Medicine and Surgery, Education (13), Agricultural mechanization (3), Agro processing (2), Agricultural science (16), Fisheries (1), Nursing (12) and Anesthesia (4). This information has been consolidated in **Table 2** below.

The above are impressive figures for a new programme and concept within higher education. Upon completion of the certificate, the students have the requirements for admission to the various degree and diploma programmes in higher institutions of learning.


*STEM Education and the Role of the HEAC in Uganda DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.114040*

#### **Table 1.**

*Current accredited HEAC programmes.*


#### **Table 2.**

*HEAC first enrolment numbers in universities (Source: Universities & FAWEU records).*
