General
Mak signs MoUs with three Chinese Universities
On 4th July, 2014, the Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ddumba-Sentamu signed three Memoranda of Understanding on behalf of the Makerere University with representatives from three universities from The Peoples Republic of China. The ceremony held in the Vice Chancellor’s Office witnessed Shenyang Aerospace University (SAU), Liaoning University and Liaoning Shihua University sign MoUs entering them into a partnership with Makerere University.
The first of its kind in history of Makerere, this grand partnership is aimed at strengthening the cooperation in Education, Science, Engineering and Technology transfer between the Makerere on one hand and the three Chinese Universities on the other hand.
The Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu expressed his gratitude to the three Chinese Universities for further strengthening the longstanding relations between Makerere and China.
“Makerere University has been collaborating with China in different academic aspects for a while now and I am happy to note that this tri-university collaboration today signals a new chapter in our relationship and clearly illustrates the good terms Makerere and China operate on,” Prof. Ddumba remarked.
The Dean-College of International Education, SAU Mr. Chen Yongqing, noted that since his institution is deeply engaged in computing they will greatly engage with the College of Computing and Information Science (CoCIS).
“We are strong in aviation, but we also need computer scientists to enable us improve in this industry,” said Mr. Yongqing.
Taking note of Liaoning’s status as a master university in economics and among the top-ten in China, the Dean-Institute of International Education, Liaoning University, Prof. Xing Yuanyuan said, “I really admit that the two parties are going to benefit equally in the field of economics after strengthening this relationship.” she remarked.
Prof. Shi Liju, Dean-Institute of International Education, Liaoning Shihua University further pointed out training in technological advancement as one of the great opportunities set to come out of the MoU signed between Makerere and Liaoning Shihua University.
“Liaoning Shihua University is proficient in practical technologies which involve the petrol, electrical, computer technology. I believe that since Makerere University is also offering some of these courses, this collaboration will help us share knowledge and research on technology.” she said.
According to the Memoranda of Understanding the parties will collaborate in awarding joint Bachelors and Masters Degrees, Student and Staff exchanges, joint research and publications and scholarships for Masters Students in the respective universities.
Immediate benefits of the MoUs signed include the first Masters scholarship from Shenyang Aerospace University set to be offered to one Student from the College of Computing and Information Science (CoCIS) to undertake studies at SAU starting September this year.
In explaining the nature of the partnership, the Senior Legal Officer, Makerere University Mr. Goddy Muhumuza noted that the parties had entered into partnership out of mutual desire in a bid to promote further cooperation and understanding between Uganda and The Peoples Republic of China and enhance the intellectual and experiential resources of the institutions. He added that the MoUs shall be governed by the international law, the common law and equity.
By Prossy Nabatte, Public Relations Office
Organised by the Makerere Debating Union – a student-led initiative, the Inter-college Debate Tournament was held on 11th and 12th April 2025 with a vision to leave no student behind by nurturing a community of confident, articulate, and visionary leaders who will drive positive change in society. The tournament was held in three preliminary rounds, followed by semi-finals and a grand finale.
The first round covered democracy and youth participation in politics, while the second round covered inequality and wealth distribution, and the third, the ban on export of raw materials. The semi-final round debated apprenticeship for blue-collar jobs, while the grand finale debated national budget allocations for healthcare and education. In the spirit of inclusivity, all colleges, including the Jinja Campus participated in the tournament.
Commenting on the choice of topics, the organisers noted Makerere University as a bastion of academic excellence has a profound responsibility to cultivate the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of our nation. These leaders, they added, ought to be equipped with 21st century skills of self-expression, critical thinking, and problem-solving so as to navigate the complexities of an ever-evolving world.
On the whole, Makerere Inter-college Debates were conceived as a strategic initiative to foster a culture of intellectual curiosity, creativity, and innovation. The Debating Union aims to empower the future leaders by providing a platform for students to engage in respectful discourse, articulate their thoughts, as well as develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Furthermore, the Debates serve as a platform for not only honing the intellectual prowess of students but also cultivating leadership skills, teamwork, and communication abilities that are essential for success in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. It is envisaged that this initiative will have a lasting impact on the lives of students, by exposing them to debates on topical issues that can shape the mindsets of transformative leaders our nation needs.
After a thrilling two days of debate, Daphine Kemigisha and Jibril Ssekandi from the School of Law (SoL) emerged as winners of the Makerere University Inter-college Debate Tournament 2025, while Olara Emmanuel George from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) was the Public Speech Champion, and Namujuzi Martha Mociita from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) was the Poetry Champion.
The 2025 Tournament was organized by Mayanja Owen and Nkalubo Oprah – 91st Guild Representative Councils (GRCs) of the Debate Union, Akatwijuka Arthur – Chairperson Debate Union, and Debate Union Representatives from colleges. The Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGOF) partnered with the Debate Union to deliver the 2025 edition.
Addressing students at the award ceremony, UNNGOF’s Mr. Derrick Baluuku encouraged the youth to step out of their comfort zones and think of solutions to inspire change in their communities.
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