General

The 64th Mak Graduation-A ceremony of Firsts

Published

7 years ago

January 29, 2014

Mark Wamai

Ms. Sarah Kimala (C) the Best overall and best Sciences student witnesses as Chancellor Prof. George Mondo Kagonyera (L) congratulates her Mother at the 64th Graduation Ceremony, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda

The 64th graduation ceremony at Makerere University has smoothly continued for the second day running, with 2,318 students from the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS) and the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) graduating.

The best student in Sciences, Sarah Kimala (Pictured Centre), with a CGPA of 4.83 graduated today and received a plaque and a cheque of 1m shillings from The Convocation. The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) also presented an award to the best student in Bachelor of commerce, Yiga Henry Matovu, who obtained a CGPA of 4.53. The plaque he received is the first of its kind and will henceforth mark the beginning of subsequent ones.

A jubilant PhD Graduate takes to the skies with Students of Performing Arts and Film (PAF), CHUSS, at the 64th Graduation Ceremony, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda

The ceremony also saw the first cohort of students offering a Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering from CoCIS graduate. As noted by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Ddumba- Ssentamu, the first cohort of students from Makerere University Jinja campus also graduated, in this highly unique ceremony.

Professor John Ddumba-Ssentamu, Vice Chancellor, at the 64th Graduation Ceremony 28th-31st Jan 2014, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda

"The 64th graduation ceremony is unique in three ways: One, for the first time, students from Somaliland who have been pursuing their studies from Sheik Technical Veterinary School with support from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) are receiving diplomas of Makerere University in absentia. We congratulate the College for this initiative. Second, 67 of the pioneer students at our Jinja Campus will receive degrees in Information Technology, Business Administration and Development Studies. Of the 67, four [4] will receive first class degrees. We congratulate the pioneer students, the Coordinator of Jinja Campus, Professor J. B. Nyakaana together with his team. Third, ten [10] pioneers of the Female Scholarship Foundation [FSF] who benefitted from tuition waiver offered by the University are graduating. The Female Scholarship Foundation was established in November 2010 and as a sign of commitment and ownership, Makerere University offered 20 scholarships per year in form of tuition waiver starting with the academic year 2010/2011. This is a gesture of our social responsibility and efforts to ensure equitable access to higher education in Uganda,” he emphasized.

The Vice Chancellor was grateful to Makerere University members of Staff for the job well done in preparing graduates. “I would like to thank all members of staff of Makerere University for your dedicated service despite the challenges we face. You have played a positive role in the development of higher education as well as the transformation process of this country,” he said.

Professor George Mondo Kagonyera, The Chancellor, at the 64th Graduation Ceremony, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda

As part of the highlights for the day, the Department of Performing Arts and film (PAF) and the Uganda Police Band gave energetic performances that saw some parents join them to dance in the Freedom Square.

This was before the Chancellor’s Procession joined the Freedom Square to officially start the ceremony. Chancellor Prof. Mondo Kagonyera challenged the graduates to be relevant to society. “Today you graduate into a community faced with multiple opportunities and challenges. Your success or failure will depend on how you view the world before you. To a great extent your destiny lies squarely on your shoulders. When faced with challenges, quickly ask yourself how you can use your knowledge and skills to turn them into opportunities. Likewise, when you encounter opportunities, ask yourself how you can harness them to serve humanity at large and not just your own interests. Often people do not realize that service to others leads to personal satisfaction. I am happy and proud to note that Makerere University’s biggest contribution to the region and beyond has been the ability to produce key human resource to serve humanity both at political levels and in large corporations. Graduates of Makerere University have distinguished themselves in the business world,” he said.

L-R: Arch. Dr. Barnabas Nawangwe (DVC FA) and Dr. Ernest Okello Ogwang (DVC AA) at the 64th Graduation Ceremony, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda

The highly colourful 64th graduation ceremony is organized by the Makerere University Ceremonies Committee, under the leadership of Assoc. Prof. Steven Nyanzi. Previous successful graduation ceremonies have been organized by the same committee.

The ceremony kicked off yesterday, 28th Jan. 2014, with over 4,000 students from the College of Health Sciences (CHS), the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-Security (CoVAB) and the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) graduating.

By Marion Alina, Public Relations Office

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General

Veteran Professor changed Makerere and Higher Education

Published

1 day ago

June 21, 2021

Mark Wamai

Professor Pancras John Mukasa Ssebuwufu (L) receives a plaque and citation from RUFORUM Board Member and Vice Chancellor Ndejje University-Professor Eriabu Lugujjo (Right) on 6th May 2021 at the RUFORUM Secretariat, Plot 155 Garden Hill, Makerere University Main Campus,

When Professor John Ssebuwufu ambled up to receive a certificate of recognition for his ‘exceptional’ contribution to higher education from the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) at Makerere University (MU), he was thinking of many things, such as rewarding staff, that he could have done differently to impact university education more.

But he did what he could have done, under the circumstances.

He presided over MU (in 1993) when student enrolment was 5,000 and left in 2004 when the population was surging to more than 15,000.

He emphasised the use of information communication technologies in almost all the institutions he had been involved in and sent many academic staff on exchanges to boost research and innovation. Now, more African universities engage in ground-breaking research.

So, he proceeded to accept his recognition and make his acceptance speech, which was mostly about gratitude.

Ssebuwufu, 74, who is currently the chancellor at Kyambogo University and the vice-chancellor of the University of Kisubi, is credited for his exemplary leadership and pragmatic methods that have shaped higher education in Uganda and Africa as a whole.

General

Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program 2021/2022

Published

1 day ago

June 21, 2021

Mark Wamai

Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program 2021/2022. Photo credit: AfDB

The Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program is a capacity building project by the AfDB and Japan which was initiated in 2017 with the aim of providing two-year scholarship awards to highly achieving African graduate students to enable them to undergo post-graduate studies (i.e. a two-year Master’s degree program) in selected priority development areas on the continent and Japan. The overarching goal the AfDB and the Government of Japan seek to attain is to enhance skills and human resources development in Africa in under the Bank’s High 5s agenda (i.e. “Feed Africa”, “Light up Africa”, “Industrialize Africa”, “Integrate Africa” and “Improve the quality of life of the people of Africa”) and key Japanese development assistance initiatives. JADS core areas of study focus include energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, and engineering. The program also seeks to promote inter-university collaboration and university-industry partnerships between Japan and Africa. Upon completion of their studies, the JADS scholars are expected to return to their home countries to apply and disseminate their newly acquired knowledge and skills in the public and private sectors, and contribute to national and continental socio-economic development.

About the JADS program

The JADS Program is open to applicants from AfDB member countries with relevant professional experience and a history of supporting their countries’ development efforts who are applying to a graduate degree program in energy development and related discipline. The program does not provide scholarships to any other graduate degree program.

The scholarship program provides tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and travel allowance.

Upon completion of their studies, the beneficiary scholars are expected to return to their home countries to apply and disseminate their newly acquired knowledge and skills, and contribute to the promotion of sustainable development of their countries.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

The program is open to those who have gained admission to an approved Masters degree course at a Japanese partner university. Candidates should be 35 years old or younger; in good health; with a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in the energy area or related area; and have a superior academic record. Upon completion of their study programs, scholars are expected to return to their home country to contribute to its economic and social development.

Application Procedures

Applicant requests for information and application forms and procedures from the chosen JADS partner university. For any inquiries, please contact JADS@AFDB.ORG
Applicant completes required documents and sends them to the university.
University evaluates and selects applicants.
University sends selected candidates to the AfDB.
AfDB reviews submissions from universities, prepares and approves the final list.
AfDB contacts selected awardees, and informs the universities.