General
Mak-SIU Somalia sign English Teaching Agreement
Makerere University’s School of Language, Literature and Communication, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) has signed an implementation agreement with the Somali International University (SIU) aimed at improving SIU students’ proficiency in the English language. The implementation agreement was a follow-up of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two institutions in March 2014 to establish partnerships in different academic collaborations including English teaching.
The 5th to 7th April 2014 visit to SIU was initiated by the President of the University, Prof.Yahye Ali Ibrahim during his visit to Makerere University in March 2014. The Makerere team was led by the Dean, School of 
Languages, Literature and Communication (SLLC), Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi and comprised of the International Relations Officer, Ms. Martha Muwanguzi; the Senior Legal Officer and Head of the Legal Unit, Mr. Goddy Muhumuza; the Head, Department of Linguistics, English Language Studies and Communication Skills, Dr. Celestino Oriikiriza; and the representative from the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Dr. Simba Kayunga.
SIU was established in 2012 by Somalis in the Diaspora, who mobilised funds to set it up after the Somali civil war. As such, SIU is a community university managed by a Trust. Alongside the University, the Somalis in the Diaspora have built a community hospital which also serves as the SIU teaching hospital as well as a host of other establishments. In his request for SIU to enter into a partnership with Makerere University, Prof.Yahye had indicated that the majority of students at SIU lack proficiency in the English language, and as such have challenges 
of expression. “This problem is rooted in the education system in Somalia, whereby in the past the mediums of instruction in school were Somali and Arabic. Students did not have sufficient exposure to English,” added Prof. Yahye
On day two of the visit, Sunday 6th April 2014, the team was invited to the launch of the Centre for English and Communication Skills at SIU. The high profile ceremony was attended by the Minister of Heritage and Education as well as other Ministers from the Somali Government and Members of the Somali. The ceremony which concluded with the signing of the Implementation Agreement between the School of Languages, Literature and Communication, Makerere University, and the SIU was covered both on the national and international media.
A meeting aimed at discussing the English curriculum currently used at SIU was later held with the Institution’s Teachers of English. From the meeting, it was noted that Makerere University is anticipated to carry out capacity building in terms of staff training, and English curriculum review and development. The meeting also deliberated on the modalities of starting a course in criminology and security studies, which will be implemented by the School of Social Sciences, Makerere University.
At the conclusion of the visit, SIU President, Prof.Yahye Ali Ibrahim, recommended that a specific agreement for modalities of teaching English should be written and signed by both SLLC and SIU, and that the English language classes under this agreement should begin by June 2014.
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.
“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.
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