General
Using Applied Research to Inspire the Next Generation of Engineers
“At the University of Navarra (UNAV), all research undertaken has got to be marketable,” said Prof. Roc Berenguer a Professor of Electronic Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation (TECNUN), UNAV, as presented his lecture.
“At the University of Navarra (UNAV), all research undertaken has got to be marketable,” said Prof. Roc Berenguer a Professor of Electronic Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation (TECNUN), UNAV, as presented his lecture.
“This helps to guarantee funding for all the applied research we conduct,” he added. Prof. Berenguer was speaking at a public lecture, facilitated by a grant from the Millennium Science Initiative (MSI) which enabled the Community Wireless Resource Centre (CWRC) to host him for a week. During weeklong stay, he provided a 3-day specialized training for Masters Students and Staff on the wireless communications test bed equipment. At the conclusion of the training, he held a public lecture to address the topic 'Establishing a Wireless Communication Testbed' on Wednesday 7th December 2011. MSI is managed by the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST).
The lecture highlighted various applications of wireless communications including mobile phones, automatic braking of cars using wireless sensors to detect objects upfront, support for the blind via glasses with a wirelessly connected camera to the 'retina', remote monitoring of tire temperatures for electric cars, etc. At UNAV, businesses and other entities can encounter an ideal partner in the development of their research projects and are thus willing to fund such innovations.
The lecture series is one of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering's avenues to inspire undergraduate and postgraduate students to carry out research that seeks to address the specialized needs of the business community, among other initiatives.
Reacting to the public lecture, Dr. Dorothy Okello, Director CWRC and Lecturer, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering challenged the students to become well grounded in the theory so as to be well placed to identify solutions for the various problems in our communities.
“Based on the theory gained in class and results from simulations you conduct, only then can you be able to take your wireless innovations to the next level,” remarked Dr. Okello.
Dr. Okello is also the Principal Investigator of the MSI-funded project "Adaptive Bandwidth Management in Cooperative Wireless Networks: Affordable and equitable access to the Internet". The three year grant worth US$ 250,000 ends this December 2011.
Thanks to the MSI grant, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering has recently acquired a modern set of key equipment worth US$ 80,000 which includes; a spectrum analyzer, vector network analyzer and signal generators. As a result students will now be able to confirm the specifications and performance of their innovations before attempting to implement them.
The grant has also supported the costs of tuition and stipends for four Masters in Electrical Engineering students, with the first scheduled to graduate in January 2012. Two of the Masters students were also supported to spend 6-8 weeks at advanced research labs at the University of Pretoria and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Meraka Institute, South Africa.
In his remarks, Dr. Julius Butime, Head, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, thanked Prof. Berenguer for conducting the specialized training and public lecture.
“Now that we have this specialized equipment, I encourage you, the students of engineering, to join research groups such as those headed by Prof. Berenguer to help improve your skills and boost your research profiles,” he remarked.
The Department is planning hold the public lecture series more regularly, beginning next semester in January 2012, where speakers from leading national and international engineering departments will be invited. This public lecture was attended by over 130 participants, who included undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as academic staff.
The CWRC aims to enhance the practical skills of engineering students. As such, over the three year grant period, ten undergraduate students have had their industrial training with the CWRC from June to August each year. The training has exposed them to theory and practices of wireless networks with a focus on the telecentre-based community wireless networks.
Related Article
CWRC Public Lecture by Dr. Roc. Berenguer
mwamai@admin.mak.ac.ug, Public Relations Office
Waste Management efforts at Makerere University have been boosted by a donation of 30 waste bins by Centenary Bank’s Makerere Branch. The bins received on Monday 11th May 2026 in the Freedom Square by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe in the company of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Sarah Ssali, Deputy University Secretary, Mr. Simon Kizito and other officials were handed over by the Branch Manager, Mr. Sunday Julius.
Appreciating the donation from Centenary Bank on behalf of University Management, Prof. Nawangwe noted that Makerere University strives to maintain “the cleanest environment in Kampala”, especially as a good example to future leaders, the students.
Acknowledging earlier donations to the Halls of Residence by Centenary Bank, Prof. Nawangwe described the ceremony as “the beginning of a long journey of collaboration in environmental stewardship,” with separation of plastics from biodegradable waste earmarked as the next step in user education.
In his remarks, Mr. Sunday noted that the donation was in line with the Bank’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) objectives, particularly the Social component, where supporting institutions with waste management facilities to enhance hygiene is key. “It is important for Centenary Bank to give back to the society where it makes money”, he emphasized.
Describing Makerere University as the “main institution that Centenary Bank operates a branch”, Mr. Sunday recognised the donation as a step in the right direction with a valuable partner.
The newly-donated bins will be placed in various public locations under supervision of the Estates and Works Directorate.
Makerere University and the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA (ND) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which opens opportunities for collaboration between the two historic and leading research institutions in the areas of staff and student exchange, joint research and training, joint supervision of graduate students, and others.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe signed on behalf of Makerere University and Rev. Robert A. Dowd, the 18th President signed on behalf of the University of Notre Dame. The ceremony, which was held at the University of Notre Dame campus at South Bend, Indiana was witnessed by Dr. Lorna Magara, the Chairperson of the Council of Makerere University, who led the Mak delegation.
Dr. Magara appreciated the institutionalisation of the collaboration between the two universities and the very warm hospitality accorded to the Mak delegation.
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