General
Crane Bank launches Makerere University Branch
On Wednesday 12th September 2012, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Professor John Ddumba Ssentamu officiated at the opening of a new branch for Crane Bank at Makerere University, Senate Building.
The opening of the Crane Bank branch presents an opportunity to staff and students to access banking services at extended working hours, a forex bureau, an exclusive counter for members of staff and two Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).
Speaking at the colourful ceremony, the Managing Director of Crane Bank Ltd, Mr. A.R. Kalan congratulated Professor John Ddumba Ssentamu upon his appointment as Vice Chancellor of Makerere University and informed the audience that Crane Bank will provide innovative products and timely services at affordable rates to the University community and the surrounding population.
“From Monday to Friday, the branch will provide banking services from 8:30am to 6:00pm. On Saturday, the branch will open at 9:00am and close at 3:00pm. The bank will also offer scholarship to students along with other innovative programmes,” said Mr. Kalan.
The University Secretary, Mr. David Kahundha Muhwezi commended Crane Bank Ltd for coming up with a schedule that will enable the students who study on the evening programme to access banking services after 5:00pm.
Officiating at the Launch, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Professor John Ddumba Ssentamu appealed to Crane Bank to examine the needs of the University community and come up with a sustainable Corporate Social Responsibility programme to benefit students, staff and the wider University community. Professor Ddumba Ssentamu also extended an invitation to Crane Bank and other banks to take part in the activities lined up in the year-long celebrations to mark 90 years of Makerere University‘s existence.
He advised the Crane Bank team to design marketing and promotional campaigns which do not disrupt the academic operations of the university as well as the need to follow the prescribed standards and authorization when using the Makerere University name and logo.
After his speech, the Guest of Honour, Professor John Ddumba Ssentamu together with the Managing Director, Mr. A.R. Kalan, Branch Manager, Mr. Avdesh and Deputy Branch Manager, Ms Merab Kansiime proceeded to the entrance of the bank premises where he cut the ribbon and declared the Makerere University Crane Bank Branch officially open.
The Vice Chancellor, Members of Management and Students present then received a guided tour of the Makerere University Crane Bank Branch premises from the Bank staff.
Story by: Ritah Namisango, Senior Public Relations Officer, Makerere University
General
Makerere University and Xiangtan University Advance Strategic Partnership in Chemical Engineering
Makerere University and Xiangtan University are set to update their close to 20-year academic partnership, with a new focus on launching a joint Master’s degree program in Chemical Engineering and expanding student and staff exchange initiatives.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a recent visit by a delegation from Xiangtan University to Makerere University headed by Professor Dingyu Ou, in the company of Mr. Tang Fei and Professor Gilbert Gumshabe, the Chinese and Ugandan Directors of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University respectively.
While addressing the delegation, Professor Nawangwe highlighted that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to diversify academic offerings and contribute to national development through training in Chemical Engineering. Through this new initiative, the University will better prepare graduates for the petrochemical industry and support the country’s industrial growth.
The Vice Chancellor appreciated that the proposed collaboration aims to address Uganda’s growing need for industrial expertise, particularly as the country develops its petroleum sector. The two universities here are working toward a 1+2 training model, which will enable Makerere students to gain practical experience and access advanced laboratory facilities at Xiangtan University.
Professor Nawangwe further reiterated that “our relationship with the people of China, not just for Makerere but also for a big part of Uganda, has been opened wider by the establishment of the Confucius Institute, considering that many other collaborations like one being discussed now have come through this collaboration.”
The head of the Xiangtan delegation, Professor Dingyu Ou, expressed appreciation for the meeting, and acknowledged the history between the institutions. “As mentioned, we have a very long relationship and a very stable friendship between our two universities.”
Professor Ou extended appreciation for the support provided to the Confucius Institute at Makerere, the care shown to his colleagues, and looked forward to the successful start of the Chemical Engineering collaboration.
Assuring the delegation of Makerere’s readiness for the collaboration, Ms. Hawa Ndagire Kajumba the Lead, Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement, Makerere University Advancement Office, aligned with the Vice Chancellor’s emphasis of University goal to have both theory and practice imparted to the students.
She said “the curriculum of the university and Uganda as a whole is moving towards competence-based education training to ensure students are equipped to demonstrate those skills in the actual field, particularly regarding petroleum exploration.”
Ms. Ndagire Kajumba also emphasised a shift in strategy for the partnership office, saying, “we are moving away from just signing MOUs that collect dust, and moving towards those that are more collaborative to benefit our faculty and students, just like this one.”
Professor Gilbert Kumushabe aligned his remarks with those of the Vice Chancellor and Ms. Ndagire Kajumba, and described the method used at Xiangtan University as “actually competence-based teaching.”
Based on his recent visit, Prof. Gumoshabe shared that students in China are divided into groups with dedicated teachers to perform practical, hands-on work beyond the theoretical lecturers. He expressed gladness that the same was being adopted for the Ugandan context.
Both institutions are now working to finalise the specific agreements for the joint degree and exchange programs. Beyond academic training, the collaboration will advance cultural and professional exchange.
-
General1 week agoTimothy Khabusi: From Barefoot Walks to shaping Uganda’s Eye health Future
-
Health1 week agoUganda’s HIV Treatment Gains Bring the Youth Gap into Focus
-
Agriculture & Environment1 week agoMakerere University Welcomes 50 Youth Skilling Program trainees under the Africa Climate Collaborative, Supported by Mastercard Foundation
-
Health2 weeks agoMakSPH reseachers calls for health data to be used in decisions
-
Health2 weeks agoUPHIA 2025 Shows Uganda’s HIV Status Awareness Gap Despite Strong Treatment Outcomes