Makerere University is set to become the African Hub for the Computer Animation and Technology industry. Thanks to a Memorandum of understanding signed on 19th August 2010 between Makerere University and Digimation UK, the university will offer internationally accredited 3D Animation Diploma programmes.

Makerere University is set to become the African Hub for the Computer Animation and Technology industry. Thanks to a Memorandum of understanding signed on 19th August 2010 between Makerere University and Digimation UK, the university will offer internationally accredited 3D Animation Diploma programmes.

Digimation, an institute recognized for its commitment to quality, employs a highly personalized approach, whereby teaching and support staff take a keen interest in student development and progress and endeavour to know the students personally. Therefore the partnership with Makerere aims to create graduates who are not only academically qualified but also are also ready to be a part of the Animation industry right from Day One.

The Acting Dean, Faculty of Computing and Informatics Technology-CIT, Dr. Josephine Nabukenya, commended Digimation for partnering with the Faculty. “This partnership demonstrates our commitment to introducing relevant training to our undergraduate and postgraduate students.” Dr. Nabukenya further revealed that plans are underway to establish a commercial Animation Studio called the INCUBATION HUB, so as to give students an opportunity to outsource their skills and get paid.

Prof. Ikoja Odongo who represented the Vice-Chancellor at the signing ceremony, called upon other players in the Industrial to borrow a leaf from Digimation and establish partnerships with the university. “The University is committed to ensuring that these partnerships succeed” he asserted. Prof. Ikoja extolled the Makerere-Digimation model, whose commercial Animation Studio arm is in line with the University’s investment policy objective to expand on avenues for income generation.

“Our mission is basically to create Global leaders in the fields they’ve chosen” remarked Mr. Dilip Amdekar, CEO Digimation UK as he made his address. Mr. Amdekar further noted that as both institutions were committed to the quality of graduates produced over profit margins, the partnership was bound to last a long time.

The Chief Guest and Chairman, Uganda Investment Authority Mr. Patrick Bitature lauded the timing of the MoU, especially as the Government strives to change Ugandan mindsets from job seeking to job creation. “The timing is opportune; the ICT industry is the next ‘big thing’ we need to focus on.” “That is where the real potential is that will touch lives and create jobs” he further added. Mr. Bitature confidently cited the advent of the undersea internet cables as factors that will help fulfill this dream, especially as services like Business Process Outsourcing make their way here.

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