As a result of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Governments of Uganda and India to implement the Pan-African E-network Project, Makerere University students are now able to comfortably receive live lectures from India at the Faculty of Computing and Informatics Technology (FCIT).

As a result of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Governments of Uganda and India to implement the Pan-African E-network Project, Makerere University students are now able to comfortably receive live lectures from India at the Faculty of Computing and Informatics Technology (FCIT).

The hot afternoon sunshine of 13th May 2010 contrasts sharply with the cool air-conditioned lab on level two of FCIT Block A, where MBA in International Business students are receiving their lecture on Cross-Cultural Management. Just like in any other class, the lecturer periodically stops to ask if any of her students have any questions pertaining to the subject and the Technical team in India has to switch between simultaneous classes in Uganda, Rwanda and Malawi, lending true credence to the “Pan-Africanism” of the project.

As confirmed by Mr. Joseph M. Ssemwogerere, E-learning Coordinator, FCIT in his address, the video conferencing facility allows for free interaction between Lecturer and students “During these lectures, the students get to see the lecturer on the screen in front of the classroom and the lecturer sees all the students through an overhead camera.” “Every lecture is backed up and students can re-play any lecture at their own pace from any place as long as they have good internet connections” he further added.

“The implementation of this project in Uganda is being coordinated by the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) together with Telecommunication Consults of India Limited (TCIL)” informed Mr. Ambrose Ruyooka from ICT. Other current project sites apart from Makerere Learning Center include; The Makerere University Regional Center, where VSAT System Connectivity for the Uganda – Senegal – India Route was tested and commissioned; Mulago Hospital, where telemedicine software has been installed; and the VVIP Site at State House Entebbe, where peer to peer video calls can be made among Pan-African member countries.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Jude Lubega, the Acting Dean, FCIT informed the gathering that so far, two hundred and forty two students regularly attend lectures from Amity University India via this facility. Courses offered include; a two year MBA in International Business; a two year Masters in Financial Control; a one year Postgraduate Diploma in Information Technology; a three year Bachelor of Science in Information Technology; and a 6 months Diploma in Information Technology.

Mr. Patrick Mwesigwa, Acting Executive Director, Uganda Communications Commission, who represented Hon. Aggrey Awori, Minister of ICT, commended Makerere University for submitting a winning proposal to host the regional center. On a guided tour of the facilities Mr. Mwesigwa could not help but be impressed at the strides made since 16th July 2009, when the Governments of Uganda and India signed the MoU. Citing Makerere’s venture to open upcountry campuses he noted “This facility will indeed provide an efficient platform for simultaneous delivery of lectures from Makerere to students all around Uganda.”

Amity University, Uttar Pradesh (AUUP), India is a private University is the largest private university in India and Southern Asia offering a wide range of courses through E-learning.

Downloads

Pan-African E-learning Project FCIT brief

Pan-African E-network Project address from ICT

mwamai@admin.mak.ac.ug, Public Relations Office