The Director General of the Knesset has on a recent visit to Makerere University promised to link academic staff to their colleagues in Israel. The Knesset is the legislative arm of the Israeli Government. Mr. Ronen Plot, his wife and 6 others from the Israeli Parliament were accompanied to Makerere on 17th October 2014 by Hon. Benson Obua Ogwal and Hon. Annet Nyakecho Okwenye the Member of Parliament for Moroto County and Woman Member of Parliament for Otuke County respectively.

“I would like Professors and academicians from here to travel to Israel and interact with their counterparts. I will accompany you to meet your colleagues in several universities within Israel. Come and visit Jerusalem, a city that God himself has built” Mr. Plot said.

He was addressing members of staff ofthe College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) during an interactive tour of the College. He had purposefully come to familiarize himself with the operation of the Skills for Production, Employment, Development and Academic Growth (SPEDA) scheme.

SPEDA is a special and alternative model and scheme for community education, mass skilling, enterprise development, employment and household creation in support of the ‘Prosperity for all and Vision 2040’ National agenda. This model is one of the innovations supported by the Presidential Initiative for Science and Technology at Makerere University and is spearheaded by CoVAB.

Prof. John David Kabasa, Principal, CoVAB said that the role of the university is to contribute to vision 2040 of the country through shifting Uganda from a peasant economy to middle class. “How can you be in a place gifted by nature and you are the poorest? Prof Kabasa asked. “Let Makerere take lead in liberating our country from poverty. The University is the apex of knowledge and everyone will respect its changes in education”, Prof Kabasa stated.

Also present were The Chancellor, Prof. Mondo Kagonyera, The Vice Chairperson Makerere University Council, Hon. Irene Ovonji-Odida ,the Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu, and the Head of Veterinary Services, State House; Dr. Sam Byabagaire.

Dr. Byabagaire said that he was proud to have been there when initial discussions of the SPEDA model were held. “We took the proposal to the President, he accepted it and it is my duty to ensure that it works out” he said.

Hon. Benson Ogwal said that he had already been ‘converted’ by the alternative education model and that he was ready to bring his constituency on board through the Lango Transformation Board.

An invitation was made to the students under the SPEDA model to exhibit during the Parliament Science day.

“I invite Makerere to be part of the upcoming exhibition organized by the Science and Technology Committee of Parliament so that you showcase your contribution to our country’s development”, said Hon. Nyakecho who is also the Vice Chairperson of the Science and Technology Committee of Parliament.

The Vice Chancellor thanked the leadership of CoVAB for spearheading this initiative, which had attracted the visiting delegation from Israel.

Makerere University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Agrostudies International Centre of Agriculture in partnership with Israel Government Agency for International Development Cooperation to enable Makerere University students receive one-year internship Training in Israel.  

“So far, two cohorts of students from Makerere have travelled to Israel, not only to learn skills in advanced technologies but also to have a change in mindset towards agriculture”, The Vice Chancellor said.

Prof. Kabasa made an appeal to the Director General to push for the increase in the number of slots for Makerere on the internship programme, so that more of the students under the alternative training scheme can get international exposure.

Article by Jovia Musubika, CoVAB Communication Office