General

VC counts remarkable progress two years down the road

Published

14 years ago

on

June 4, 2012

By

Mark Wamai

The Vice Chancellor Makerere University, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba.

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The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, addressed the 30th Media briefing highlighting key developments in the University for the last two and a half years in office. He pointed out that the current university management has recorded improved service delivery as witnessed in the timely delivery of transcripts and use of online services to register students, pay fees and access course content from the main library. The last two and a half years have seen management embark on a curriculum review and restructuring of courses, formation of constituent Colleges of Makerere University, establishment of the Jinja and Fort Portal campuses, better financial management and improved University- Government relations among others.

This, however, has not been without any challenges including underfunding, low staff remuneration and old infrastructure. Prof. Baryamureeba was grateful that with the support of his deputies, the DVC (Academic Affairs) Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa, and the DVC (Finance and Administration) Prof. Tickodri Togboa, other members of university management and staff, Makerere University has managed to continue growing. He was thankful to government for the support extended especially through the Presidential Initiative, which kick started a number of innovations within the university.

The media briefing also featured the latest innovations from the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology. These include a bomb detection and dis-arming robot, solar energy kiosks and electric Insulators. The bomb detector, under the iLabs project, was made from locally available materials and can disarm explosive material. According to the project coordinator, Mr. Cosmas Mwikirize, “the detector was designed to demonstrate local capacity in the fight against terrorism especially after the deadly July 9th 2010 terrorist attacks in Kampala. The Vice Chancellor described these innovations as an indication that Uganda is on the verge of becoming a middle income country since these developments will be a source of substantial revenue.

Story by Marion Alina
Public Relations Office