The Chancellor, Professor George Mondo Kagonyera has proposed strategic partnerships between Makerere University and the University of South Africa (UNISA), especially in promotion of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) and innovations in Science and Technology. The Chancellor made these remarks at the 6th SARChI Academic Retreat hosted by UNISA from 23rd-26th November 2013.

The 6th South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) Retreat was held under the theme “Establishing the Discourse and Protocols for innovations from below as Restorative Action to the Communities.” The retreat was underpinned by three main concepts: how scientists can crystallise the discourse on cognitive justice as it relates to the recognition and protection of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS), how to expand the notion of innovation to include knowledges that are produced in the grassroots, and how the parameters of innovation are to be redrawn if IKS is taken into account.

At the same occasion, Professor Catherine Odora-Hoppers, a Ugandan who serves as the incumbent of the Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation South African Research Chair in Development Education at UNISA was presented with her Golden Jubilee Medal by Prof. Kagonyera. Prof. Odora-Hoppers was awarded the honorary medal at the 51st National Independence day celebrations on 9th October 2013 in recognition of her research and scholarly contributions to Uganda and Africa’s development.

The Chancellor expressed his gratitude to UNISA for hosting Prof. Odora-Hoppers all these years saying, “Thank you for giving a home away from home to our distinguished daughter of Uganda, Professor Catherine Alum
Odora-Hoppers! Although her cultural tap roots are in Gulu, Northern Uganda, her philosophical main stem has grown strong and tall like the giant Shea-nut tree of her native Acholiland in South Africa,” said Prof. Kagonyera, further adding “Her intellectual and scholarly productions, like her Shea-nut tree branches, have now spread out and cover the whole of Africa.”

Prof. Kagonyera concluded his well-received address by calling upon Makerere and UNISA to make the partnership a reality “As a concrete way forward: may I propose that a delegation led by the SARCHI Chair in Development Education comprising UNISA leaders, DST Officials and IKS Advisory Faculty leaders, and South African Private Sector/Business leaders plan to visit Makerere University and Uganda as soon as is practicable,” he concluded.

Please seed downloads for The Chancellor’s detailed remarks and more.

Compiled by Public Relations Office