General

Participation in the Promotion of Academic and Non Fiction Authorship in Uganda Survey

Published

9 years ago

May 16, 2012

Mark Wamai

College of Humanities and Social Sciences-CHUSS (Queen's Courts) Makerere University 2012

Dear Colleague,

Re: Participation in the Promotion of Academic and Non Fiction Authorship in Uganda

Academic and non-fiction authors form the intellectual backbone for the development of a country. In Uganda there is high potential for academic and non-fiction writing because of the several reforms in the education sector. These have created a huge demand for learning materials at all levels of education.

Uganda has witnessed growth in the number of locally authored academic and non-fiction titles. There are however still key concerns that limit authors from fully enjoying the benefits of authorship such as:

• An unpredictable environment that may negatively impact on certain author/intellectual freedoms;
• Weak author bargaining power with publishers
• Author ignorance of the Uganda Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act 2006;

There has been progress in terms of the enforcement of the Copyright and Neighboring Rights Act, 2006. However, unauthorized photocopying and pirating of academic and non-fiction works continues unhindered. The infringements on academic and non-fiction works affect the economic rights of authors.

To ensure that authors benefit from authoring of books, there is a need for a shared vision that requires the authors coming together and having one voice to ensure the sustainability of academic and nonfiction writing. Indeed, the National Book Trust of Uganda (NABOTU) has put on its agenda the promotion of academic and non-fiction authorship that would ensure demonstration of links within the book industry.

With the support from the Non-Fiction and Translators Association of Norway, there is an intended need to create a forum for Academic and Non Fiction Authors in Uganda. You have therefore been identified as a prominent and/or potential academic or non fiction author in this country that would support this initiative.

I am therefore requesting you to take a little of your time to fill in this questionnaire. This research is intended to help us gauge the general level of academic and non-fiction authorship in Uganda. Be assured that the information obtained from this survey will entirely be used for purposes of this research only and not for any other purpose and will be kept in confidence.

I thank you.

Prof. Elisam Magara
Project Coordinator, Promotion of Academic and Non Fiction Authorship in Uganda Project,
National Book trust of Uganda,
Contact: magarasam@gmail.com, +256-772/706-495592 Web: http://easlis.mak.ac.ug/

Please click the link below to participate

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHppTDdmbDM3RlIxRVFZNVRMdWNBWkE6MQ

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.