General
Mak’s ELISA Test Kit could save Uganda from FMDV devastation
The ELISA Test Kit, an in-house innovation developed by Dr. Frank Norbert Mwiine during his PhD Research could help save Ugandan cattle farmers from the devastation caused by the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV).
The ELISA Test Kit, an in-house innovation developed by Dr. Frank Norbert Mwiine during his PhD Research could help save Ugandan cattle farmers from the devastation caused by the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV).
Dr. Mwiine made these revelations as he disseminated his research findings at the ninth PhD Dissemination Series, held on Thursday 15th December 2011, and chaired by Associate Professor David Owiny, Acting Deputy Dean, School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-Security(CoVAB). The Series are organized by the Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor in-charge of Academic Affairs as a way of accounting to the Makerere University Community by successful PhD graduates, and as an avenue for sharing with the general public, cutting edge research relevant to their daily needs.
Dr. Barnabas Nawangwe, Principal, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) and acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) urged all stakeholders present, especially the staff, to maximally utilize all opportunities accorded by the Government’s line Ministries and special programs.
“Government is the most valuable partner if we are to enhance the visibility of Makerere University” he remarked.
Dr. Frank Norbert Mwiine’s PhD study was sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF).
As he made his presentation on “Serotype Specificity of Antibodies against Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus in Cattle in Selected Districts in Uganda”, Dr. Mwiine appreciated the opportunity to conduct his research accorded by MAAIF, noting that FMDV was one of those neglected animal diseases, despite its devastating economic impact.
He noted that whereas vaccines were imported by the Government of Uganda and heavily subsidized to enable farmers vaccinate all their animals, the smaller ruminants i.e. goats and sheep were often neglected and the vaccines were only of the trivalent type.
As revealed by his research, more than five out of the seven known strains of FMDV were prevalent in Uganda, hence rendering the trivalent vaccines completely ineffective against any disease outbreaks. The situation is further aggravated by scarce Government resources, implying that imports that are only made during outbreaks, thus preventive vaccination cannot be carried out.
Dr. Mwiine’s passion to help see the disease eradicated from the country stems from his previous work experience as a Veterinary Officer in Western Uganda. His first-hand account of infected animals practically starving to death as they could neither graze nor walk, drove him to develop the ELISA Test Kit. The kit will be used to detect all seven strains of FMDV and help develop their respective antibodies. The ELISA Test Kit is set to be patented and is currently in production phase so that it may be made commercially available to veterinary officers.
Farmers in Bushenyi District where FMDV prevalence was observed to be low were commended for their good farming practices, which ensured that the farms were fenced and their cattle did not use the communal watering points. Dr. Mwiine however noted the need to sensitize farmers bordering national parks to avoid straying into these, as strains of the serotype A; usually found in buffaloes alone, was recorded in cattle herds around Lake Mburo National Park. He also called on Government to effect a shift in policy from nomadic pastoralism to ranching.
The Guest of Honour Dr. Anna Rose Ademun Okurut, Head, National Animal Disease Diagnostics and Epidemiology Centre-MAAIF, hailed Dr. Mwiine for successfully completing his PhD study and developing the ELISA Test Kit.
She thanked the Danish Government through the Livestock Wildlife Diseases in East Africa Project (LWDEA) Project for helping to provide scholarships to four PhD and 4 MSc students. Dr. Ademun further congratulated her former Faculty of Veterinary Medicine upon the successful transformation from a School to the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-Security(CoVAB).
Dr. Ademun further congratulated Makerere University for continuing to produce world-class innovations, noting that it was the only way to give back to the communities and the nation, “The Government is proud of outputs of the nature of Vaccines, the Kiira-EV and research that informs current policies and activities” she concluded.
Downloads
9th PhD Dissemination by Dr. Frank N. Mwiine: ppt(1,947KB), pdf(1,046KB)
9th PhD Dissemination Dr. Frank N. Mwiine Brief Profile: doc(40KB), pdf(13KB)
9th PhD Dissemination Dr. James O. Acai Brief Profile: doc(34KB), pdf(13KB)
mwamai@admin.mak.ac.ug, Public Relations Office
General
Prof. Nawangwe urges Makerere University community to support the Mastercard Foundation E-learning Initiative
By Bernard Buteera
Makerere University has launched a two million dollar E-learning Project, dubbed The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program E-learning initiative.
The launch was held on Tuesday 20th September 2022 at Makerere University, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium. It attracted over 200 participants, who included members of University Management, College Principals, School Deans, Academic and Administrative staff, students and the general university community.
While addressing the gathering, the Chief Guest, Prof. Mary Okwakol, the Executive Director of National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), congratulated Makerere University for winning such a huge grant, which will go a long way in transforming the eLearning infrastructure at Makerere University.
“I am happy to be joining you in launching a project that is at the heart of National Council for Higher Education. Online learning is at the heart of the Council, not only because of the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, but also the world is now a digital world.” Prof. Okwakol remarked.
Prof. Okwakol thanked Mastercard Foundation and other development partners who have continued to support initiatives that help transform higher institutions of learning in Uganda.
“I sincerely thank the Mastercard Foundation and other partners who have continued to support higher education in Uganda, especially in the area of research and online learning. Globally, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, greatly disrupted education systems forcing learners and some schools to shift to virtual learning to curb the spread of the pandemic.” Prof. Okwakol pointed out.
On his part, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe urged the university community, especially the academic staff to take advantage of the Mastercard Foundation E-learning initiative to develop e-content across all Colleges of the University, to enhance capacity for eLearning at Makerere University.
”I appeal to the Colleges to embrace this project and have as many courses adopt this pedagogy development system, even though students will continue with face-to face and phyisical learning, they should be allowed the option of online learning. The platforms that are going to be built, will give our students an opportunity to interact with international students, scholars, teachers and with each other.” Prof. Nawangwe applealed.
The Vice Chancellor, further called upon all other development partners to emulate Mastercard Foundation in supporting Makerere University and other universities on the entire African continent in strengthening digital literacy, so that Africa is not left behind.
”In 2018 I attended a conference on E-learning in Beijing China, where a critical question was asked; Will Africa be left behind again? This was in reference to many advancements that were taking place in the western world, in which Africa had been left behind.” The Vice Chancellor reminded the audience.
Prof. Nawangwe further emphaised the importance of e-learning as one of the critical modes of teaching and learning in the 21st first century.
”Ladies and Gentlemen, I cannot over emphasise the importance we attach to e-learning the 21st Century, that is why we took a decision to elevate the Department of Open and Distance Learning into an Institute of Open and Distance E-learning with an intention of having e-learning extended to other Colleges of the university.” Prof. Nawangwe pointed out.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs, and Chairperson of the Steering Committee of the E-learning Initiative, Prof. Umar Kakumba, rallied the University community to support the implementation of the project in the University.
“The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program E-learning initiative could not have come in at a better time than post COVID19 era. A pandemic, which exposed our systems and methods of teaching and learning. You all recall, when were hit by the pandemic, with lockdowns and closures of institutions of learning, we all went into a panicky mode on how were going to cope with online learning. I therefore call upon every member of the university to give this project the support it deserves.
Prof. Kakumba reminded the audience the importance and relevancy of online learning at Makerere University and other universities in Uganda.
“The online method of learning is best suited for everyone. This digital revolution has led to remarkable changes in how the content is accessed, consumed, discussed, and shared. Office goers and stay home mothers can take up online educational courses too, at the time that suits them. Depending on their availability and comfort, many people choose to learn at weekends or evenings.” Prof. Kakumba remarked.
Prof. Paul Birevu Muyinda, the Coordinator of the Mastercard Foundation E-learning Initiative, informed the audience the importance of the project and the expected outcomes for the University.
“The Mastercard Foundation e- Learning Initiative is a Project funded by Mastercard Foundation aimed at addressing the negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic that constrained access and continuity of teaching, learning, research and community engagement activities at Makerere University” Prof. Muyinda pointed out.
Prof. Muyinda further thanked the team that he worked with in putting up the proposal in a very short time that yielded such an important grant for the University.
“I thank the team that spent sleepless nights putting together the proposal that resulted into this project. I must report that Makerere University is privileged to be having the most highly qualified persons in online instruction design and online pedagogy at the IODeL and beyond. It is now up to Makerere University in particular and the Country in general to make use of these persons to transform the terrain of online, blended distance and e-learning education.” Prof. Muyinda remarked.
Prof. Justine Namaalwa, the Program Coordinator for Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, informed the audience, that the E-learning initiative was one of the many partnerships between Mastercard Foundation and Makerere University geared at supporting the young people to succeed on the African continent.
“The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program continues to recognize that in order to enable young people across Africa to succeed, there is need to; Address systemic barriers in Higher education, Strengthen the capacity of Institutions that serve the Young People, and Support innovative solutions across critical sectors.” Prof. Namaalwa remarked.
The colourful launch ended with a panel discussion in which panelists digested the importance and opportunities for open distance and eLearning in higher institutions of learning.
Bernard Buteera is the Communications Officer of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.
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