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
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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