General

“Uganda still lagging behind”- Global Competitiveness Results 2009/2010

Published

11 years ago

May 6, 2010

With the support of the Think Tank Initiative and Kabano Research and Development (KRDC), Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) disseminated results of the Global Competitiveness Survey in a half day workshop on 5th May, 2010.

With the support of the Think Tank Initiative and Kabano Research and Development (KRDC), Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) disseminated results of the Global Competitiveness Survey in a half day workshop on 5th May, 2010.

The information used to come up with the report was collected through the Executive Opinion Survey conducted annually from business executives in over 130 countries, including Uganda. The government also submits specific information on vital issues such as Uganda’s monetary fluctuations, usually provided by Bank of Uganda.

The workshop was attended by various stakeholders, right from the academia, civil society organizations, and legislators to policy makers in and around Kampala. During the workshop, presentations of papers were made; followed by discussions and brain-storming on the report’s implications and how best to proceed as a country.

From the report, it was evident that Uganda is still lagging behind, particularly in comparison to its neighboring countries, Kenya and Tanzania. In detail, the report highlighted Uganda as having low competitive strategies in the business sector.

Mr. Asiimwe Delius, the Executive Director of Kabano Research and Development Centres, led the workshop. Mr. Asiimwe has been the National Coordinator of the Executive Opinion Survey since 2003.

“I hope this will be educative as it is a learning process. The Ugandan situation calls for the everyday man to get involved and lobby government, through informed lobbying, for national development.” Mr. Asiimwe said.

MISR, through the survey, hopes to enhance the understanding of key factors which determine economic growth and come up with solutions on how Uganda can be more successful than others in raising income levels and opportunities for its population.

Download Seminar power point here

General

Veteran Professor changed Makerere and Higher Education

Published

1 day ago

June 21, 2021

Mark Wamai

Professor Pancras John Mukasa Ssebuwufu (L) receives a plaque and citation from RUFORUM Board Member and Vice Chancellor Ndejje University-Professor Eriabu Lugujjo (Right) on 6th May 2021 at the RUFORUM Secretariat, Plot 155 Garden Hill, Makerere University Main Campus,

When Professor John Ssebuwufu ambled up to receive a certificate of recognition for his ‘exceptional’ contribution to higher education from the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) at Makerere University (MU), he was thinking of many things, such as rewarding staff, that he could have done differently to impact university education more.

But he did what he could have done, under the circumstances.

He presided over MU (in 1993) when student enrolment was 5,000 and left in 2004 when the population was surging to more than 15,000.

He emphasised the use of information communication technologies in almost all the institutions he had been involved in and sent many academic staff on exchanges to boost research and innovation. Now, more African universities engage in ground-breaking research.

So, he proceeded to accept his recognition and make his acceptance speech, which was mostly about gratitude.

Ssebuwufu, 74, who is currently the chancellor at Kyambogo University and the vice-chancellor of the University of Kisubi, is credited for his exemplary leadership and pragmatic methods that have shaped higher education in Uganda and Africa as a whole.

General

Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program 2021/2022

Published

1 day ago

June 21, 2021

Mark Wamai

Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program 2021/2022. Photo credit: AfDB

The Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program is a capacity building project by the AfDB and Japan which was initiated in 2017 with the aim of providing two-year scholarship awards to highly achieving African graduate students to enable them to undergo post-graduate studies (i.e. a two-year Master’s degree program) in selected priority development areas on the continent and Japan. The overarching goal the AfDB and the Government of Japan seek to attain is to enhance skills and human resources development in Africa in under the Bank’s High 5s agenda (i.e. “Feed Africa”, “Light up Africa”, “Industrialize Africa”, “Integrate Africa” and “Improve the quality of life of the people of Africa”) and key Japanese development assistance initiatives. JADS core areas of study focus include energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, and engineering. The program also seeks to promote inter-university collaboration and university-industry partnerships between Japan and Africa. Upon completion of their studies, the JADS scholars are expected to return to their home countries to apply and disseminate their newly acquired knowledge and skills in the public and private sectors, and contribute to national and continental socio-economic development.

About the JADS program

The JADS Program is open to applicants from AfDB member countries with relevant professional experience and a history of supporting their countries’ development efforts who are applying to a graduate degree program in energy development and related discipline. The program does not provide scholarships to any other graduate degree program.

The scholarship program provides tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and travel allowance.

Upon completion of their studies, the beneficiary scholars are expected to return to their home countries to apply and disseminate their newly acquired knowledge and skills, and contribute to the promotion of sustainable development of their countries.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

The program is open to those who have gained admission to an approved Masters degree course at a Japanese partner university. Candidates should be 35 years old or younger; in good health; with a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in the energy area or related area; and have a superior academic record. Upon completion of their study programs, scholars are expected to return to their home country to contribute to its economic and social development.

Application Procedures

Applicant requests for information and application forms and procedures from the chosen JADS partner university. For any inquiries, please contact JADS@AFDB.ORG
Applicant completes required documents and sends them to the university.
University evaluates and selects applicants.
University sends selected candidates to the AfDB.
AfDB reviews submissions from universities, prepares and approves the final list.
AfDB contacts selected awardees, and informs the universities.