General
University of Venda courts Makerere University
The University of Venda, South Africa, is looking at possible areas of collaboration with Makerere University. Dr. Ndebele Clever, the Director of the Centre for Higher Education Teaching and Learning is on a one-week visit to Makerere University to benchmark with Makerere University and adopt best practices that can be emulated by University of Venda. “I am here to benchmark what academic staff do especially in the area of support systems for students. Venda University is introducing e-learning and I have seen a number of excellent e-learning facilities here. I went to DICTS (Directorate for ICT Support) and Mr. Tito Okumu took me through an amazing revelation oh how e-learning is done here,” he said.
Dr. Ndebele paid a courtesy call to the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. JYT Mugisha (Pictured Below) on 5th Dec. 2013, who welcomed the idea of a possible collaboration between Makerere University and the University of 
Venda. “I am confident that each University will have a lot to learn from the other if this collaboration happens. As Makerere, we are ready to partner with you,” he emphasized.
University of Venda, a government owned institution, is strong in the area of supporting students with disabilities including Visual, Hearing, Physical, Speech impairments, Chronic illnesses (diabetes, epilepsy), Painful conditions (back injuries & carpal tunnel syndrome), Psychological disabilities (bipolar disorder & severe anxiety/depression), and Temporary disabilities (broken limbs). “We have a well-established disability unit, with adapted laboratories and other instruction material like Braille text books for the blind, talking devices like calculators. It is the only centre of its kind in the country,” explained Dr. Ndebele.
Dr. Ndebele is here on the invitation of Assoc. Prof. Peter Neema Abooki of the College of Education and External Studies (CEES), whom he met at a Nairobi conference this year. He has since visited the Quality Assurance Directorate (QAD), Planning and Development Department (PDD), Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (RGT), Private Sector Forum, International Relations Office, Office of the Dean of Students and the Public Relations Office.
Article by Marion Alina, Public Relations Office
Makerere University on 23rd January 2026 hosted the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) validation meeting of the draft minimum standards for implementing Competence-Based Education (CBE) in Higher Education Institutions. The meeting held in the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium brought together Vice Chancellors, Rectors, Principals and Academic Registrars from Higher Education Institutions in Uganda.
Hosted by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Sarah Ssali, the meeting followed institutional input into the draft minimum standards and was aimed at validating them prior to their formal adoption by the NCHE Council at their next meeting in February 2026. The minimum standards cover nine areas namely; 1) Curriculum Design, 2) Teaching and Learning Approaches, 3) Assessment, 4) Faculty Training and Support, 5) Student Support Services, 6) Quality Assurance Systems, 7) Industry and Community Linkages, 8) Monitoring and Evaluation, and 9) Gender and Equity Mainstreaming.
Following feedback into presentations by the various leaders present, a motion to adopt the draft minimum standards, with institutional input incorporated, was moved by Bugema University, seconded by UMCAT School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and unanimously supported by institutions present.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Prof. Sarah Ssali appreciated NCHE for choosing Makerere to host the landmark event, reiterating that the University greatly respects each and every Higher Education Institution and regards them as partners and collaborators in the quest to improve Uganda’s Higher Education sector.
The Executive Director NCHE, Prof. Mary Okwakol reassured leaders present that all the pertinent issues raised for input into the draft minimum standards would be incorporated, and urged those with pressing issues to submit them before month’s end. She reiterated NCHE’s readiness to continue lobbying Government for the resources required by Higher Education Institutions, particularly Public Universities, to implement Competence-Based Education (CBE).
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