General

Prof. Nsibambi Praises Mak Library

Published

7 years ago

November 5, 2014

Dr Hellen Byamugisha (Extreme Left) looks on as Ms Eliz State demonstrates online access to Prof Apolo Nsibambi. Right is Prof. Maria Musoke.

Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, a former Chancellor of Makerere University and former Prime Minister of Uganda, has praised Makerere University Library for the modern facilities. Prof. Nsibambi was visiting the Main Library to fulfill a promise made. He was received by the Library Staff, led by Prof. Maria Musoke the University Librarian on 5th November 2014. Prof. Nsibambi signs in the historical book.

In his two-hour long visit, Prof. Nsibambi was taken through the old Library and new Library extension and was impressed by what he saw. He signed in the historical visitors book opened by Queen Elizabeth of England in the 1950s. “This is an excellent Library containing modern facilities,” he wrote. Another key writing in relation to the library that this writer was able to see in the book, are the words of President Yoweri Musevei who visited on 4th August 2012 and wrote, “Thanks so much for this initiative of expanding the Library on the basis of self reliance.”

Prof. Musoke explained to Prof. Nsibambi that the Library extension was built from internally generated funds and that the extension is so far the biggest achievement. This, she said, was done through sensitizing students to pay a development fee of 123,500/= to the cause, over a two-year period. Prof. Nsibambi was amazed at this achievement and shook the hand of a beaming Prof. Musoke and remarked, ‘urakoze cyane,’’ (a Kinyarwanda phrase for ‘thank you very much’). Prof. Musoke however noted that the development fee is still being paid by students but is yet to be redirected to improving the old library building as proposed.

Prof Apolo Nsibambi chats with unidentified postgraduate student in the Library Research Commons. Prof. Nsibambi was particularly amused by the vast online collection of books and journals, (including his latest book on ‘National Integration’), the musical archives, the research commons, the various provisions for people with disabilities and expectant mothers. “I am very happy because this is a modern Library and the best in the region. I am very impressed, thank you for the good work. I have been promising to come but she (Prof. Musoke) pinned me down and I had to come,” explained Prof. Nsibambi. He revealed that he has started penning his autobiography and is looking at the Main Library as a useful resource in accomplishing the task.

While at the undergraduate research common, Prof. Nisbambi asked the students if they had read his book on ‘National integration,’ but many had not. This prompted him to encourage them to find a copy of the same online.

As a send off, he was presented with an assortment of souvenir items from the Main Library including a key holder, a Main Library notebook and an online library catalogue.

Story by Marion Alina.

General

Veteran Professor changed Makerere and Higher Education

Published

2 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

2 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.