General

Mak-SHARP launch So-Lite Solar Street Lighting Project

Published

7 years ago

July 1, 2014

Mark Wamai

L-R: Dr. Tanga Odoi, DVCFA-Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Dir EWD-Mr. Fred Nuwagaba, Chair MUASA-Dr. Kiggundu Musoke, SOL Founder-Mr. Alan Hurst, DVCAA-Dr. Ernest Okello Ogwang, Guild President-H.E. Ivan Bwowe, Makerere Imam-Iddi Kasozi, Chief Guest-ACP Fred Enanga, MD SHARP-Mr. Patrick Katto, Mrs. Rosette Katto, Chair Convocation-Mr. Bruce Kabaasa, CEDAT Dep. Principal Dr. Venny Nakazibwe at the So-Lite Project Launch, 27th June 2014, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda

The Assistant Commissioner of Police, who also doubles as the Police Spokesperson, Fred Enanga, launched a solar street lighting project at a highly colorful ceremony in Makerere University on 27th June, 2014. The over 3 billion shillings project, code named So-Lite, Eco-Friendly Lighting is a result of a partnership between Makerere University and SHARP- Electronics. The project was launched at Makerere University Main Building amidst hundreds of witnesses.

Police Spokesperson ACP Fred Enanga (L) accompanied by CSO Makerere C/ASP Jackson Mucunguzi pays a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor during the So-Lite Launch 27th June 2014, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda The Police Spokesperson appreciated the partnership and described it as a much needed step towards addressing security and beauty needs on the Main Campus. “Makerere is one of the vulnerable institutions that we monitor every day due to the increased threats from terrorists. We are happy with this initiative because it is going to help us in monitoring dark spots,” he said.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs at Makerere University, Dr. Ernest Okello Ogwang, emphasized that the project was timely in addressing incidences of insecurity. “The project aims at providing reliable and environmentally friendly street lighting to the main campus so as to reduce on energy expenses and incidents of insecurity at night,” he said.

DVCAA Dr. Ernest Okello Ogwang (R) makes his remarks as L-R ACP Fred Enanga, Mr. Patrick Katto, Mrs. Rosette Katto and Mr. Alan Hurst listen during the So-Lite Launch 27th June 2014, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda “We applaud for your patience throughout the period of our deliberations and we look forward to embracing renewable energy to help us light up the Main campus as 120 solar powered street lights go live as per the contract,” he added.

Looking at the increased demand and use of solar technology which has led to global attention to invest in the renewable energy projects, Mr. Katto, the Managing Director of SHARP Electronics Technology Limited, explained that the solar lights were procured from one of the best companies in the business- Solar Outdoor Lighting (SOL), based in the United States of America.

“The willingness of Makerere University to embrace Public-Private Partnerships is what prompted us to suggest this collaboration. The University administration willingly permitted us to put up a sample light about two years ago. This was the birth of the So-Lite project we are launching today,” he said amidst applause.

According to the manufacturer and founder of SOL, Alan Hurst, the solar lights are durable and have a 20 year life span. “These lights do not need wiring in between lamp posts, secondly lighting will change people’s lives and reduce energy costs,” he said. Mr. Hurst assured the audience that the project’s launch at Makerere University marked the beginning of solar street lighting extension to other institutions and Uganda at large.

Mr. Bruce Kabaasa, the Chairperson of Makerere University Convocation, represented the Chairperson of Council– Eng. Dr. Charles Wana Etyem, and gave the assurance of Council’s support for similar projects.

L-R: MUASA Chair-Dr. Kiggundu Musoke, MASA Chair-Hajati Fatumah Nakatudde, Makerere Imam-Iddi Kasozi, CoCIS Principal-Dr. C. Okello-Obura, RPC Kampala North-ACP Steven Tanui and Guild President-H.E. Ivan Bwowe during the So-Lite Project Launch, 27th June 2014, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda The Guild President, H.E. Ivan Bwowe called upon the fellow students to protect the solar lights because they are intended to benefit all. “As students we endorse this initiative because it is not only going to benefit us, but many generations to come as We build for the Future,” he asserted.

This project will see 120 solar street lights installed across the University, with 10 outdoor LED screens to ease communication between Makerere University Administration and the wider community.

The function was attended by a number of people including the Deputy Vice Chancellor in Charge of Finance and Administration, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the University Secretary Mr. David Kahundha-Muhwezi, the Senior Legal Officer and Head Legal Unit Mr. Goddy Muhumuza, the Chairperson of Makerere University Academic Staff Association, Dr. Kiggundu Musoke, the Chairperson of Makerere University Administrative Staff Association, Hajati Fatumah Nakatudde, Members of Staff Associations and Students.

By Prossy Nabatte, Public Relations Office

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Click here for the Solar Streetlights Installation Gallery

General

Veteran Professor changed Makerere and Higher Education

Published

3 days 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

3 days 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.