General
Chancellor Proposes Strategic Mak-UNISA Partnership at 6th SARChI
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
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.
-
General2 weeks agoStatement on Concerns Circulating Regarding a Member of Academic Staff
-
General1 week agoTimothy Khabusi: From Barefoot Walks to shaping Uganda’s Eye health Future
-
General2 weeks agoBeyond Map Size: Africa’s Agency Should Not Be Funded by Other People
-
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