General
University of Minnesota for reciprocal collaboration with Mak CHS
A team from the University of Minnesota (UMN) led by Dr. Frank B. Cerra , Senior Vice President for Health Sciences & Dean, Medical School, UMN and Dr. Harriet Mayanja-Kizza, Deputy Dean, School of Medicine, CHS, paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor on 4th February 2010.
A team from the University of Minnesota (UMN) led by Dr. Frank B. Cerra , Senior Vice President for Health Sciences & Dean, Medical School, UMN and Dr. Harriet Mayanja-Kizza, Deputy Dean, School of Medicine, CHS, paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor on 4th February 2010.
They were met by Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza, the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic Affairs, on behalf of the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba.
The team, which arrived in the country on 31st January 2010 spent time touring facilities at the Mulago Teaching and Referral Hospitals, the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) and were very impressed with the work done with HIV/AIDS, especially as its closely connected to ongoing research. They also expressed great interest in collaborating on Distance Education Programmes at Certificate, Diploma and Degree levels.
The President also shared the idea of model programmes in UMN like the Midlevel Dental Provider programme , which gives students a rigorous three year training course and after graduating, they can perform some of the dental procedures like tooth extraction, filling and other simple dental procedures as required by the community. He hoped that when some agreements were finally signed with Makerere, some of these programmes could be implemented.
Dr. Mayanja-Kizza appreciated the University of Minnesota’s efforts in nurturing the young academics from the CHS who have benefited from interactions like Student/Staff exchanges and Graduate research supervision, citing Dr. David Meya, Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), who benefited from supervision by Prof Paul Bohjanen of UMN.
Prof. Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza thanked the University of Minnesota team for their contributions towards CHS that have contributed to vibrant innovative research by the College. She appreciated the timing of the visit, which coincides with the University’s preparation to implement the ten-year strategic plan, noting that any agreements would fit in perfectly with plans to implement crosscutting programmes, and aspects of Quality Assurance, Internationalization and Gender Mainstreaming. She further expressed her gratitude towards the UMN teaming for recognizing that they indeed had something to learn from their Ugandan counterparts, noting that it was through reciprocal collaboration that such partnerships could be sustained.
Also in the team was, Dr. Robert J. Jones , Senior Vice President, System Academic Administration; Prof. John R. Finnegan , Assistant Vice President for Public Health; Dr. Ashley Haase , Head, Microbiology; Diana Harvey , Assistant Dean, School of Public Health; Meredith McQuaid , Dean, International Programs and Prof Paul Bohjanen of the Department of Medicine. From the College of Health Sciences were Dr. David Guwatudde, Deputy Dean, MUSPH ; Dr. Moses Kamya, Head, Department of Medicine; Dr. David Meya, Department of Medicine/IDI and Dr. Robert O. Opoka, Department of Pediatrics & Child Health.
The Director of Makerere University Jinja Campus, Associate Professor Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala, has urged students to familiarise themselves with the Safeguarding policy aimed at creating a safer and more inclusive learning environment.
Speaking during the safeguarding policy sensitization meeting held today Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, emphasized the importance of awareness and adherence to the policy, which seeks to protect students, staff, and other stakeholders from all forms of abuse, harassment, exploitation, and discrimination.
“As Management we want every student to enjoy their stay at the University without being tormented and that can only happen, if students know their rights by reading about different policies on our website. You are meant to be living in a safe environment. We do not want anybody’s dream to be shattered or somebody to drop out from University,” Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, said.
In his speech, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, also called upon students who have complaints but do not know the reporting lines, to approach staff safeguarding champions to make sure that they live in a safe environment.
Addressing guests, Emmanuel Muchake, the Guild Administrator at Jinja Campus, pointed out that the launch of the safeguarding policy is timely because as a University, without creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning, they will not have students graduate.
On Friday, April 4,2025, the Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Portfolio, Right Honourable Lukia Isanga Nakadama, officially launched the Safeguarding Policy and commended Makerere University for crafting a policy that lays out the University’s framework for embedding viable safeguarding measures into its ethos and all institutional activities and processes to: Identify, detect, and act swiftly on safeguarding risks.
The Safeguarding Policy was developed in response to the growing need for institutions of higher learning to implement proactive measures that address concerns related to student welfare, mental health, gender-based violence, and power imbalances in academic settings.
Some of potential safeguarding risks in Institutions of higher learning include emotional distress, Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH); material loss, financial exploitation, discrimination and neglect, unfair and illegitimate response to civic engagements, cyber security/threats, psychological and emotional harm, substance abuse and physical assault. Discrimination and neglect which are often high risks for students with disabilities and international students.
The safeguarding policy sensitization meeting in Jinja Campus brought together students and staff in a meaningful dialogue on safeguarding issues affecting learning.
The event was graced by Dr. Rodney Rugyema, from the Dean of Students Office, who emphasized the University’s commitment to the well-being of all its members. In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of safeguarding policies in preventing abuse, harassment, exploitation, and other forms of misconduct within the Jinja Campus community.
“Safeguarding is not a one-time action, but a continuous culture of care and accountability. We all have a role to play in ensuring a safe and respectful space for learning and growth,” Dr Rugyema, said.
The sensitization session covered key topics including; recognizing signs of abuse, understanding reporting procedures on the MakSafeSpace and fostering mutual respect among peers.
Participants were encouraged to actively engage and reflect on their roles in upholding safety standards both on and off campus.
Students who attended the sensitization welcomed the initiative, with many expressing optimism that the policy would improve campus safety and encourage victims to come forward without fear of retaliation.
“We have seen issues go unreported in the past because students didn’t know where to turn. This policy provides clarity and assurance that the university is taking these matters seriously,” noted, a third-year student.
The University plans to conduct a series of sensitization workshops and distribute printed copies of the policy to ensure that every member of the campus community is well-informed. This initiative is part of Makerere University‘s broader strategy to reinforce its values of integrity, respect, and protection for all.
The Safeguarding Sensitization Meeting concluded with a collective pledge to uphold safety, dignity, and mutual respect within the University community.
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