General

NORAD commends Mak on management of research projects

Published

7 years ago

November 3, 2014

Mark Wamai

Vice Chancellor-Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu (L) meets the Norad Team led by Edle Hamre-Head of Section, accompanied by Dr. Elizabeth Bwanga-NORHED Programme Coordinator, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda on 3rd November 2014

The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) team currently at Makerere for a five-day Annual Planning Meeting has commended the University for ensuring good reporting mechanisms in the management of ongoing projects. Makerere which is the lead partner managing over nine (9) NORHED research projects with other collaborating institutions in Africa and Norway was commended for embracing a consultative approach which ensured the participation of all key stakeholders in research project activities; as well as guaranteeing that competent and experienced staff run the projects.

The NORAD team comprising Edle Hamre-Head of Section; Jorun Nossum-Senior Adviser; Inga Dalin-Adviser; Silje S. Vevatne-Adviser, Jeanette da Silva-Senior Advisor and Ms Mary Mabweijano-Senior Programme officer, Royal Norwegian Embassy Kampala made the wonderful remarks during the courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor and the Makerere University Management held today, Monday 3rd November 2014. The courtesy call came ahead of the Opening Ceremony for the first Annual Planning Meeting between NORAD and the Norwegian Programme for Capacity Building in Higher Education and Research for Development (NORHED).

The Annual Planning Meeting, which starts today 3rd and runs until Friday 7th November 2014, is focused on reviewing the implementation of projects at Makerere University under the NORHED programme and providing an opportunity to focus on the second year of implementation.

L-R: Norad's Jeanette da Silva-Senior Adviser, Silje S. Vevante-Adviser, Inga Dalin-Adviser, Jorun Nossum-Senior Adviser and Edle Hamre-Head of Section along with Ms Mary Mabweijano-Royal Norwegian Embassy at the courtesy call on 3rd Nov 2014, Makerere University

In her speech, Elde Hamre, the Head of Section for Research, Innovation and Higher Education, NORAD emphasized the relevance of the NORHED Research projects which seek to address alignment of education and research to national development needs and eradication of poverty.

“We look forward to meeting the research teams, project coordinators and students during the Annual Planning Meeting and discussing the achievements and the progress made on the respective NORHED projects. We have particular interest in the alignment of research to national development needs and eradication of poverty,” said Hamre.

The Vice Chancellor Professor John Ddumba-Ssentamu welcomed the NORAD team and applauded the Government and People of Norway for supporting research, capacity building programmes and infrastructural development at Makerere University since the 1940s.

Professor Ddumba-Ssentamu assured the NORAD team of Makerere University’s commitment to the realization of Uganda’s development needs, and the successful implementation of the NORHED programme. He added that the 2014 Annual Planning Meeting was timely for it provides a platform through which Makerere University and NORAD will exchange ideas that will inform higher education and research for the transformation of society especially through knowledge dissemination.

L-R: Dr. Consolata Kabonesa-Vice Chair NIDIC, Mr. Matia Kabuye-PDD, Prof. Oryem-Origa-Chair NIDIC, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu-Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe-DVCFA, Dr. Florence Nakayiwa-Director PDD, Mr. Charles Barugahare-Director Internal Audit at the Courtesy Call on 3rd Nov 2014,Makerere University, Kampala Uganda

During the courtesy visit, both the NORAD and Makerere University teams emphasized the following critical aspects:

Continuous engagement and involvement of stakeholders in research project activities/programmes
The Quality Assurance Directorate to undertake tracer studies especially on the students/beneficiaries under the NORHED programme
The need to develop realistic plans and budgets for the respective research projects
Strengthening financial and procurement systems in sister universities especially those in South Sudan
Partnering with the School of Women and Gender Studies to train the project teams in gender
To train and sensitise project team leaders on revised Mak procurement guidelines and procedures
For all parties, to uphold zero tolerance to corruption in the execution of research project and management activities.

In addition to the Vice Chancellor, the Makerere University team consisted of: Professor Barnabas Nawangwe-Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration); Prof. Oryem-Origa-Chair (NIDIC), Dr. Consolanta Kabonesa-Vice Chair (NIDIC), Dr. Elizabeth Bwanga-NORHED Programme Coordinator at Mak; Dr. Florence Nakayiwa-Director Planning and Development; Ms Mary Tizikara-Director Human Resources; Mr. Charles Barugahare-Director Internal Audit; Mr. Matia Kabuye-Senior Economist and Ms Ritah Namisango, Senior Public Relations Officer.

L-R: Jorun Nossum-Senior Adviser, Silje S. Vevante-Adviser, Ms Mary Mabweijano-Royal Norwegian Embassy, Jeanette da Silva-Senior Adviser, Inga Dalin-Adviser and Prof. Oryem-Origa-Chair NIDIC on 3rd Nov 2014 at Makerere University

With regard to overcoming the delays in procurement of equipment vital to research, theDeputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Professor Barnabas Nawangwe encouraged the Makerere University research teams to study the revised Procurement Manual, which provides user-friendly procurement guidelines and procedures.

Article by Ritah Namisango, Public Relations Office
Photos by: Mr. Joseph Buwule, Landmark Media Consultancy

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.