The key to laying a strong foundation for the prosperity of any organization lies in free interaction with all stakeholders so as to forge solid partnerships. However, this can only be achieved through an environment that favors this interpersonal communication and dialogue between the organization and its various stakeholders.

The key to laying a strong foundation for the prosperity of any organization lies in free interaction with all stakeholders so as to forge solid partnerships. However, this can only be achieved through an environment that favors this interpersonal communication and dialogue between the organization and its various stakeholders.

Makerere University had the opportunity to interpersonally relate with one of its major stakeholders – The Media, on 13th May, 2010 under the Quality Assurance Media Workshop. This activity comes as one of the many initiatives under the strategic plan that the university is embarking on to bring its stakeholders on board.

The Acting Vice Chancellor Venansius Baryarmureeba graced the occasion as the Guest of Honor. Following the recent celebrations of World Press Freedom day, the Vice Chancellor urged the media to use their freedom efficiently to report the truth, everyday! “As media persons, you should learn to collect news material efficiently and compile and disseminate it accurately. We want the alumni to contribute to Makerere and an interaction like this will help the media to report accurately about Makerere”. Prof. Baryarmureeba said.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs Prof Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza, who made a presentation on Quality Assurance at Makerere University, highlighted the quality assurance framework and policy that is guiding the services rendered at Makerere.
“Quality Assurance is the process of establishing and implementing mechanisms which ensure that outcomes of institutional activities are of a prescribed standard” she said.

Prof. Lillian helped explain that it is the quality improvement dimension rather than simple confirmation of meeting minimum standards that offer the greatest benefit to stakeholders. “The best programmes can be made better and continuous improvement is a distinguishing feature of renowned institutions of higher education” she further added.

The objective of the workshop was to give information on the quality of training and of the Support Services offered to Makerere students, as a confidence building measure for reassuring stakeholders. This initiative helped showcase Makerere as alive to the need for continuous improvement.

To further introduce the media representatives to the mechanisms which the university is implementing to ensure quality training and services, they also heard from other members of Makerere University Administration such as the Director, Quality Assurance Directorate Dr. Sam Luboga and the Academic Registrar, Mr. Alfred Namoah-Masikye, who talked about the support services that are ensuring quality.

Periodic evaluation/appraisal of teaching staff by students; evaluation/observation of teaching staff by peers; and instruction of academia in knowledge delivery (pedagogical training) were some examples services aimed at promotion of quality shared with the media representatives. These mechanisms have so far been piloted in some faculties such as Veterinary Medicine, Science and Computing and Informatics Technology to improve teaching applicability so as to upscale implementation.

Many challenges have been faced in piloting of the mechanisms especially with the enormity of the data collected. However, with the use of the Lactro Dara Machine, ease of reading of information captured from the evaluation of teaching staff by the students has been achieved.

With Quality Assurance in place, it is without a doubt that the university’s most important stakeholders – the students, will achieve quality education and ultimately experience effective and efficient services.

Downloads from the Workshop 

Opening remarks by the Vice-Chancellor  

Presentation by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) on Quality Assurance 

Strategies put in place to ensure improved Management of Academic Processes 

Presentation on Evaluation of Teaching 

Sample assessment form used by students during Evaluation of Teaching 

How to access Students' results online .