General

Swedish Ambassador opens Mak-Sida Annual Review Meeting

Published

10 years ago

October 7, 2014

H.E Urban Andersson launching Gradtrack System.

The Ambassador of Sweden to Uganda, H.E Urban Andersson has opened the 2014 Mak-Sida Annual Review Meeting, which brings together Ugandan and Swedish partners to assess the achievements in research and to work towards strengthening synergies in the higher education sector.

Addressing the participants at the Annual Planning Meeting, which started on Monday 6^th October 2014 in the CEDAT Conference Hall, the Ambassador was glad to note that the outcome of the review meeting would enrich the upcoming Research Dissemination Conference.

“This Annual Review will surely feed into the announced International Science Conference in April 2015, in which the results from the last five years of Swedish research collaboration will then be discussed with higher education stakeholders from Uganda and abroad,” said the Ambassador.

His Excellency Andersson also acknowledged the long term friendship between Makerere University and the Royal Government of Sweden and urged both partners to maintain the mutual relationship and collaboration in order to achieve the set goals of the programme.

“The long term goal of this program- improved intellectual capacity -is imperative to determine strategies and solutions for everyday problems affecting the globe. Therefore our concern should focus on how to achieve this goal in an interconnected globalized world,” the Ambassador remarked. [L-R] Prof G Nasinyama, Prof M Buyinza, Prof John Ddumba-Ssentamu, HE Urban Andersson, Dr. Katri Pohjolainen, and Ms. Susanne Spets looking at a presentation during the opening ceremony.

The Vice chancellor of Makerere University Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu, appreciated the significance of the continued support from the Royal Government of Sweden to the realization of the Makerere University Research agenda, improvement of the teaching, learning and research infrastructure, advancement of ICT and library services as well as human resource capacity building.

“This support has been monumental and critical to the realization of our core functions of teaching and learning, research and innovations, and partnership and networking. I am happy to report that since 2000 when our cooperation began, over 150 academic staff have completed their PHD studies and over 30 have completed their Master’s degrees through Sida funding,” the Vice Chancellor reported.

In the same spirit, the Director, Directorate of Research and Graduate Training at Makerere University Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, applauded the Government and people of Sweden for the generous support to Makerere University. Prof M Buyinza, Dr Katri Pohjolainen, and Ms. Susanne Spets at the College of Natural Sciences. Standing is the Principal Prof JY T Mugisha, on his left is Dr John Mango his Deputy.

“There has been three consecutive agreement periods, which have amounted to SEK 495 million (USD71million) these funds have significantly contributed to capacity development through skills acquisition and nurturing of new breed of scientists that hold the candle for Uganda’s development, thereby improving Uganda’s research culture,” Prof. Buyinza remarked.

Prof. Buyinza also highlighted some of the challenges the university was facing in the process of developing research and capacity building.

“The University still faces a number of challenges including inadequate research infrastructure, inadequate research funding and low level of support for basic research, leading to the obstruction of the research-industrial-economic growth nexus,” he added.

The opening ceremony saw H.E Urban Andersson launch a tool developed by the Directorate of ICT Support. The web-based tool will be used to monitor the progress of research of graduate students and monitoring their supervisors.

After the Opening ceremony, the Annual Review Meeting continued with the Mak-Sida Science Day with scientific presentations focusing on the theme, Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development. Staff and students in the College of Natural Sciences whose research is funded under the Mak-Sida Research Cooperation programme, shared with the audience the relevance of their PHD work and research to the respective communities.

Some of the projects shared included: Part of the audience at the College of Natural Sciences

Dietary lipid oxidation in fish feeds: effects and use of alternative raw material
The Pesticides project that investigates the emerging persistent organic pollutants in air and precipitation samples taken in the Ugandan part of the Lake Victoria watershed
Integration of Nutri-Medicinal Plants as Therapeutics in Health Care Delivery in Uganda
Phytochemistry and Bioactivity of selected plant species used by Rukararwe and Prometra herbalists in treatment of Malaria in Uganda
The Green Chemistry Project focusing on coordination chemistry research involving usage of reactants and the products of their reactions, which are as far as possible environmental friendly
The Environmental Monitoring project aimed at developing and trying out new technologies to restore vegetation in the polluted pyrite soil
Mathematical modeling Project focused on studying the hydrodynamics of Lake Victoria because of its importance to Uganda and the region

The Makerere University Directorate of Research and Graduate Training and the College of Natural Sciences organized the Mak-Sida 2014 Science Day.

Written by: Nabatte Prossy,Volunteer, MAK Public Relations Office

Edited by: Ritah Namisango, MAK Public Relations Office

General

Call for Applications: Third U.S.-Africa Frontiers Symposium

Published

7 days ago

June 28, 2024

Mak Editor

Call for Applications: Third U.S.-Africa Frontiers Symposium Kigali, Rwanda, February 18-20, 2025. Photo: Courtesy.

The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is pleased to announce the 3^rdU.S.-Africa Frontiers of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Symposium in partnership with and hosted by the Republic of Rwanda. The upcoming meeting will be held on February 18-20, 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda. The application is now open for scientists, engineers, and medical professionals from the United States and African Union member countries to submit their application online before the deadline of July 7, 2024, 11:59 PM ET (Washington D.C. time).

This program brings together outstanding early/mid-career scientists, engineers, and medical professionals (within 15 years of most recent degree), from the United States and the member countries of the African Union for a series of symposia to discuss exciting advances and opportunities in their fields. The goal of these meetings is to enhance scientific exchange and dialogue among early-to-middle career researchers in African countries and the United States, including the African science diaspora, and through this interaction facilitate research collaboration within and beyond the region. Another unique aspect of the Frontiers events is the pluri-disciplinarity of the participants’ backgrounds and research interests.

One of the main objectives of this Frontiers symposium is to advance our understanding of cutting-edge S&T trends in the U.S. and Africa and to foster dialogue and collaborations across disciplines. The upcoming symposium will address the following topics:

Session I: New Solutions for Decarbonization
Session II: Biotechnology
Session III: Precision Agriculture
Session IV: Advances in Space Research
Session V: Smart and Connected Cities

We encourage early-career scientists, engineers and medical professionals working on related research to apply to this multidisciplinary meeting, as long as they fulfill the eligibility criteria. Each general participant will also have the opportunity to present their research during poster sessions. Travel of selected participants will be covered. More details on the symposium, organization, and program can be found on the symposium webpage.

Please submit your application online by 11:59 PM ET on July 7, 2024. For more information on the U.S.-Africa Frontiers Program, please visit our program website. Please email USAfricaSTEM@nas.edu with any questions.

APPLY BY JULY 7

General

Call for scholarship applications for PhDs and MSc positions in the framework of the Intra Africa Homegrown Clean Energy Project

Published

1 week ago

June 27, 2024

Mak Editor

Some of the CAES PhD graduates with the Chair of the University Ceremonies Committee, also member of staff at the College, Prof. Jackie Bonabana (Right). 74th Graduation Ceremony, Day 2, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), 30th January 2024, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Homegrown Clean Energy Project:

Mobility for Clean Energy Solutions to promote energy independence and environmental well-being through collaboration and innovation, addressing climate challenges across Africa.

Background:

Africa, a continent brimming with potential, faces a critical challenge: ensuring energy access and tackling climate change. Over 50% of its population lacks electricity, and relying on unsustainable practices threatens their health and the environment. Yet, Africa possesses a wealth of untapped renewable resources – a golden key to unlocking a brighter future.
The Homegrown Clean Energy (HCE) Solutions Project steps in to address these challenges with a vision driven by African ingenuity. We are empowering universities, the private sector, and local communities to develop clean energy solutions tailored to their specific needs.

The objectives of Homegrown Clean Energy:

Promote the development of Homegrown Clean Energy (HCE) solutions for underrepresented communities.
Facilitate knowledge sharing and technology transfer among participating institutions.
Enhance entrepreneurship skills in clean energy solutions for climate change adaptation and mitigation in Africa.
Promote gender equality and social inclusion in clean energy solutions.

Participating Institutions:

Federal University of Technology Minna (FUTMIN), Nigeria
Makerere University, Uganda
University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Benin
Uganda Martyrs University (UMU), Uganda
University of Nigeria (UNN), Nigeria
University of Zimbabwe (UoZ)

Application Documents:

Filled Application Form
CV
A three-page proposal document

See Downloads for detailed application.

How to Apply for the Scholarship:

To apply: click here to apply: Masters https://bit.ly/HCE_MScApply
To apply: click here to apply: PhD https://bit.ly/HCE_PhDApply

Application Deadline

The deadline for the application is 27^th July 2024 by Midnight GMT +1. Results will be announced on September 3, 2024

Contact Details

For further enquiries or guidance required kindly contact the following.

FUT Minna – Caroline Alenoghena; carol@futminna.edu.ng +234 8035015984
UNN- Cynthia Nwobodo; cynthia.nwobodo@unn.edu.ng +234 803 946 2574
MAK– Grace Nakabonge; grace.nakabonge@mak.ac.ug +256 782356607
UMU- Dr Robinah S. Nakabo; rnakabo@umu.ac.ug +256 776 802981
UAC- Michel Dossou; michel.dossou@uac.bj +229 97 54 27 44
UoZ- Dr Blessing Magonziwa; blessing.magonziwa21@alumni.colostate.edu. +263 775990146

HCE-Call-for-scholarship-applications-for-PhDs-and-MSc-positions Download

General

Job Opportunity at MakSBSREC: Assistant Administrative Officer

Published

2 weeks ago

June 24, 2024

Mak Editor

The Davies Lecture Theatre (Right), School of Biomedical Sciences (Blue) and other buildings at the College of Health Sciences (CHS), Mulago Campus, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University is pleased to announce a vacancy for the position of Assistant Administrative Officer (REC Administrator) within the School of Biomedical Sciences Research Ethics Committee (MakSBSREC). This is an excellent opportunity for qualified individuals to contribute to the ethical oversight of research involving human participants.

Position Details:

Job Title: Assistant Administrative Officer (REC Administrator) – MakSBSREC
Reports to: Chairperson MakSBSREC
Engagement: Full-time
Duration: 1 Year, renewable upon satisfactory performance
Duty Station: Kampala

Qualifications, Desired Skills, and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences and Humanities, Medicine and Surgery, Ethics and Human Rights, or any related field.
Master’s degree in Bioethics (an added advantage).
Up-to-date training in Human Subject Protection or Good Clinical Practice.
Proficiency in English (both spoken and written).
Prior experience in regulatory work in research studies or projects.
Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and meet deadlines.

How to Apply:

Qualified and interested candidates are invited to submit a soft copy of their application documents and a motivation letter to deansbs.chs@mak.ac.ug with the subject line “Application for the position of Assistant Administrative Officer (REC Administrator)”. Address your application to the Dean, School of Biomedical Sciences.

Deadline for submission: July 2, 2024, by 5:00 pm Ugandan time.

Please provide a reliable 24-hour phone contact. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.

View on CHS

Makerere-CHS-SBS-Research-Ethics-Committee-Assistant-Administrative-Officer-Job Download