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Sweden still Committed to Supporting Research at Makerere

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By Ms. Betty Kyakuwa, CEDAT and Ms. Ritah Namisango, Public Relations Office

The Swedish Government’s freeze on financial support to the Government of Uganda will not affect Makerere University. This was reaffirmed by the Swedish Head of Development Cooperation, Ms. Susanne Spets (Pictured 2nd Left), during the plenary of the Makerere-Sida Annual Planning Meeting which took place on Monday 10th March 2014 at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT).

Ms. Spets said that although the Swedish Government had frozen aid to the Government of Uganda; this freeze will not affect support to development research.

“Our aid is not unconditional. Sweden will hold Government-to-Government support until we reach a decision on the Anti-Homosexuality law. The Swedish Government is concerned by the enactment of the bill into law,” Ms. Spets said.  She encouraged researchers to continue finding home-grown solutions to the problems afflicting the society.

Dr. Pohjolainen Yap Katri, the Senior Research Advisor at the Swedish Embassy cautioned the university not to get excited by the improved research rankings of the university. She advised that the ranking should not be looked at as a singular achievement but rather what this research has contributed to the development of the country. “All countries must have capacity to define their problems and find solutions, and this programme [Sida] is building that research capacity,” she said. She also charged researchers on the programme to always ensure timely submission of reports, noting that these are a prerequisite for the disbursement of funds.

Dr. Katri also said the recently submitted letters of intent for the 4th phase of Sida support would be sent to Sweden where an academic appraisal committee will vet them. “In mid-May, we will know the outcome based on the results of the vetting,” she said.

In the next phase, about 200 members of staff from Makerere and other public universities will get an opportunity to receive PhD training. The Director, Research and Graduate Training (DRGT),Makerere University, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi cautioned that translating research, science, technology and innovation information and knowledge for popular consumption is a must have skill that needed to be provided to the researchers.

The Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs, Dr. Ernest Okello Ogwang, thanked the Swedish Government for the continued generosity to the university. Sida has since the year 2000 supported research and institutional reforms. Over 140 staff have acquired PhDs with the support of the Swedish government under Sida. Another 30 members have completed their Masters degrees. “This support has been monumental and critical to the realisation of our core functions of teaching and learning, research and innovations and partnerships and networking,” he said.

He noted that many researchers are now able to write proposals and win research grants owing to the experience they have received under the Sida programme. Sida has also supported laboratory improvement especially for the Biomedical and GIS laboratories as well as The Makerere Library and ICT Services in the university. The University has through Sida support also been able to expand her partnerships with other universities regionally.

“All these achievements have enabled us to contribute substantially to the attainment of the National Development Goals and reduced the degree of brain drain,” added Dr. Okello Ogwang.

Betty Kyakuwa
Betty Kyakuwa

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Mature Age Scheme Exam Results for 2025/2026

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The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released full results for the Mature Age Entry Scheme Examinations for the Academic Year 2025/2026 held on Saturday 14th December, 2024.

The Candidates who scored a final mark of 50% and above passed the examination and have been recommended by the Pre-Entry & Mature Age Committee to the University’s Admissions Board for Consideration.

The Aptitude Exam  Results for 2025/2026 Academic Year released in February 2025 can be found here.

Mak Editor

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Directorate of Graduate Training Completes Training of First Cohort Training of Supervisors

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By Moses Lutaaya

The Directorate of Graduate Training (DGT) has in collaboration with Centre for Teaching and Learning completed the training of the first cohort of Graduate Supervisors.

Participants were academic staff from two colleges namely, College of Engineering, Art and Design (CEDAT) and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES).

The three-day training that took place at the Telepresence Centre, Senate Building ended on Friday 20thJune 2025.

In his closing remarks to the participants, the Director of Graduate Training Prof. Julius Kikooma said, “This is the first cohort we are working together with the Center for Teaching and Learning to put together continuous professional development Program so that we are able to enforce the new teaching and learning policy.”

He said that before lecturers are allocated students for supervision, they must first go through this form of formal teaching and learning training to equip them thoroughly with certification required of supervision of graduate students.

“We are coming up with process to ensure that the certificates earned by participants allow you to supervise graduate students. This is the direction of the university and we must ensure that such trainings are concluded and completed successfully by all participants”, Prof. Kikooma.

Prof. Julius Kikooma – Director of Graduate Training

“We can only have you certified upon completing all the exercises in the training process. This is when you will be eligible to receive the work load for supervision”, He added.

“This training of Supervisors is going to be continuous so that all academic staff in colleges and schools are equipped. This first cohort is going to be our building block to the future trainings in the colleges.”

With such capacity building trainings, Prof. Kikooma said that the university is on the right path to achieving its targets in the new strategic plan of increasing the number of graduate students while progressively reducing the under graduate students.

He further hinted that, “We are in the process of writing a curriculum on this, which will be presented for approval before it is rolled out.”

He echoed all participants to share the knowledge they have acquired adding, “Share all you have learnt, do not keep it. Be open minded, have proper communication channels and the sky will be the limit for you.” 

Dr. Robinah N. Kulabako, The Head of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at CEDAT welcomed the training adding, “This training is very pertinent. I have had the opportunity to supervise Masters and PhD students for over 15 years and I must say that the need to be subjected to this training cannot be over emphasized because there is need to learn, unlearn and relearn many aspects involved in the supervision process.”

She added, “We are moving towards knowledge-based supervision rather than experience-based supervision. This means we must be informed and equipped to be able to advise, guide and mentor to be able to lead a successful supervision journey for both supervisor and supervisee.”

Dr. Andrew Gilbert Were – a lecturer at CEDAT and a participant said, “It is important that all supervisors of graduate students receive this certification from Makerere University through a systematic training process that enables them to attain diverse skills to facilitate learning of graduate students from diverse cultures and with unique set of circumstances.”

“This training is long overdue. In fact, it was an oversight that we could be allowed to supervise students without undergoing supervisors’ training.”

Dr. Dorothy Ssebowa, The Director Centre for Teaching and Learning support- CEES said, “The training this time round has had a mix of early career professionals including Lecturers, Supervisors and Professors share experiences. We have learnt a lot more from experienced supervisors who have shared practices on how they have done supervision over the years.”

“The knowledge and experience-based approaches have made this collaboration very active, interactive and learner centered which has resulted into a collaborative learning from the interdisciplinarity of staff from CEDAT and CAES. The issue now is to continue with professional development across all levels.” She added.

The Makerere University Directorate of Graduate Training (DGT) in collaboration with the Centre for Teaching and Learning completed the training of the first cohort of Graduate Supervisors. This activity was supported by the iCARTA – Institutionalization of Advanced Research Training in Africa, a NORHED II Project at Makerere University.

Mak Editor

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CEDAT’s Department of Architecture to Undergo Major Studio Refurbishment with Industry Support

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R-L: Arch. Kenneth Ssemwogerere (Head of Department, Architecture), Dr. Kizito Maria Kasule (Deputy Principal, CEDAT), and Mr. Kayongo Daniel (Plascon Uganda National Sales Manager) during the official handover of a donation at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Makerere University, on Tuesday, 25th June 2025.

The Department of Architecture at Makerere University’s College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT) is set to begin a significant refurbishment of its design studios starting 1st July 2025. This initiative marks a pivotal step in enhancing the learning environment for architecture students and fostering innovation in design education.

The refurbishment project has received a significant boost from Kansai Placon Uganda Limited, which donated UGX 15 million worth of paint to support the transformation. This contribution highlights the growing partnership between academia and industry in shaping the future of architectural education in Uganda.

Click here for details

Alex Isemaghendera

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