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 Agnes Namaganda
On July 22nd 2022, Makerere University–Child Health and Development Centre (Mak–CHDC) launched a draft manual for the National Parenting Standards. The Centre has been working together with the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) with funding from UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund), to develop standards that are agreeable to all organisations in the country that are involved in parenting work. The draft manual was being presented to members of a consortium that brings together all these organisations together, called the Parenting Agenda Consortium.
“We produce many documents and they are shelved,” Irene Ayot Chono, who was speaking on behalf of UNICEF said. “We hope that this document will not be one of them,” she emphasized.
Dr. Godfrey Siu, the Principal Investigator from Mak-CHDC who presented the draft manual to participants, emphasized that if any organization is doing parenting work, there should be a minimum package that they should offer.
Draft Manual Content
The manual which will have several modules. These modules will be delivered face-to-face in 1.5 hour sessions. Some of these include; Module 6 which will focus on “understanding responsible masculinity and fatherhood” and on “understanding the concept of head of family.”The draft manual also proposed that Module 11 focuses on Parenting in the 21st Century. Some of the sessions in this module will include Children and Technology, Contemporary Influence on Children and Modernity, Culture and Morality.Module 9 will focus on Parenting for Adolescents and some of the suggested sessions within this module are Needs for Adolescents and The Art of Communicating with Adolescents. Module 5 will focus on Preventing Violent Parenting and Promoting Alternative Discipline Strategies while Module 10 will be about Parenting to Address the Mental Health for Children and Adults.
Participants’ suggestions
After the presentation, participants raised several suggestions for discussion and consideration. These included whether there should be a module on spirituality since Uganda is a strongly religious nation. There was also the concern of how children in remand homes should be parented. Another concern raised by a participant was as to whether teachers who make an undeniable contribution to parenting, should be taken through the parenting manual.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Juliana Naumo Akoryo, the Director of Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) said that the manual is for the parenting organisations to utilize and not for MGLSD.
Ms. Chono also adjured the team behind the manual to use picture illustrations in the manual that can be relatable by the Ugandan parents.
Contact: Agnes Namaganda – agnesvioletnamaganda@gmail.com
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