Makerere University signed a five year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Drexel University, USA on 20th Feb. 2015, to collaborate in training and research in the fields of mutual interest; engagement faculty and Staff in community outreach and education; exchange of materials in education, research, publications and academic programming; and engagement of faculty, students and staff members for participation in research, study, conferences, seminars and workshops.

The MoU will be implemented in the School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences. Prof. Josaphat Byamugisha the Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the School of Public Health explained that the MoU will see the two institutions exchange vital research findings and provide more exposure for students.

The Vice Chancellor Makerere University, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu was grateful for the collaboration, which he described as critical in extending the Institution’s research and networking agenda. He commended the College of Health Sciences for raising Makerere University’s banner high by having the top researchers. Recent data from the Web of Knowledge indicates that the top publishers for the period 2008-2014 were from Makerere University’s College of Health Sciences. These are; Prof. David Sserwadda, Prof. Nelson Ssewankambo, Prof. Fred Wabwire-Mangheni and Prof. Harriet Mayanja-Kizza.

The collaboration will also see implementation of a 3 year project funded by The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, Rotary Clubs Kampala North and Kampala City-Makerere and Rotary District 9211 (Uganda-Tanzania), joining with Rotary Club Blue Bell, PA USA and other Rotary Clubs in Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey USA. The project has focused on developing distance education in Maternal and Child Healthcare to increase the capacity and skills in Health Centers remote from Kampala. Four pilot centers were selected and for the past two years faculty from Drexel Colleges of Medicine and College of Nursing and School of Public Health along with faculty from Makerere University College of Health Sciences and School of Public Health have worked side by side and exchanged visits funded by The Rotary Foundation.

This collaboration in Maternal and Child Health has led Drexel University and Makerere University to a broader agreement to develop a deep collaboration with all colleges in their respective universities to promote exchanges of faculty, students and to conduct collaborative research. The MoU has set the framework for this collaboration.

Drexel University is one of America's 15 largest private universities. It was founded in 1891 in Philadelphia, and has three Philadelphia campuses and other regional sites.

Article by Marion Alina