General
President David Bala promises to consult all
The Makerere University Guild President, David Bwiruka Bala and his cabinet were sworn in on Monday 30th March 2015 in a fully parked Main Hall. In his acceptance speech, H.E Bala pledged to leave no stone unturned in contributing to the challenges affecting Makerere University and to consult all stakeholders in finding lasting solutions.
“My leadership shall be based on consultation. I will come to you as the student community to consult with you. I also pledge to work with the University Management very when they pledge to work with us. As the Bala Government we must sit down and draw a road map towards our academic excellence. We must be passionate about the welfare of our lecturers because a teacher on an empty stomach can hardly do anything. So we must make sure that we strive for their rights. We will then demand for service delivery,” he told the excited crowd.
“For about three years, I have looked forward to this day and I have worked towards it. It has been a long journey but I do not forget the trust that I put in the lord. It is very important for us to stand as a team and be proud of Makerere University . As the 81st Guild President, I am ready to serve Makerere. I believe the University has many challenges but we cannot overcome them as individuals but as a team,” he added.
Bala’s remarks were punctuated with ululations from the ecstatic student community. He further promised to work towards eliminating unethical practices in all its forms, to ensure academic excellence of students, pay attention to security concerns within the university and advocate for renovation of facilities; in liaison with the relevant offices.
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Dr. Ernest Okello Ogwang, cautioned H.E Bala to look back at the promises made during campaigns and isolate real issues from none issues. “In tackling the real issues which affect the students and the community of Makerere University , you ought to endeavour to pursue the approach of dialogue. It is common knowledge that no single person, in a community like Makerere, can afford to achieve everything they want just on their own. Therefore, much of what you will accomplish will, to a very large extent, depend on your ability and willingness to cooperate and work with the relevant organs of the University,” he emphasized.
“Your leadership should be based on the knowledge that there are rules and regulations which guide the operations of Public Universities such as Makerere. Your government should travel along a clear path of discipline, hard work and accountable leadership, he added.
The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Roy Ssemboga had earlier reported that the Guild race had 10 aspirants. Bala David Bwiruka won the highly contested election with 5,562 votes followed by Mwine Musa with 2,696 votes. The other contestants are Namulindawa Stella (2,379 votes), Opoya Michael (1,297 votes), Mukula George William (635votes), Ssentongo Ivan (109 votes), Lubega Henry (69 votes), Kayondo Latima (35 votes), Tusiime Festus Bamyoya (33 votes) and Baguma Andrew (23votes). A total of 323 votes were invalid.
The Dean of Students, Cyriaco Kabagambe, thanked the Electoral Commission for working tirelessly to deliver a clean electoral process. He encouraged the new student leadership to prioritize hard work and academic excellence. Ssemboga presented a report on the electoral process, proposing amendments to the Guild constitution.
At the same event, the Guild Representatives to Council were also sworn in.
By Marion Aina
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General
Makerere University and Xiangtan University Advance Strategic Partnership in Chemical Engineering
Makerere University and Xiangtan University are set to update their close to 20-year academic partnership, with a new focus on launching a joint Master’s degree program in Chemical Engineering and expanding student and staff exchange initiatives.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a recent visit by a delegation from Xiangtan University to Makerere University headed by Professor Dingyu Ou, in the company of Mr. Tang Fei and Professor Gilbert Gumshabe, the Chinese and Ugandan Directors of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University respectively.
While addressing the delegation, Professor Nawangwe highlighted that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to diversify academic offerings and contribute to national development through training in Chemical Engineering. Through this new initiative, the University will better prepare graduates for the petrochemical industry and support the country’s industrial growth.
The Vice Chancellor appreciated that the proposed collaboration aims to address Uganda’s growing need for industrial expertise, particularly as the country develops its petroleum sector. The two universities here are working toward a 1+2 training model, which will enable Makerere students to gain practical experience and access advanced laboratory facilities at Xiangtan University.
Professor Nawangwe further reiterated that “our relationship with the people of China, not just for Makerere but also for a big part of Uganda, has been opened wider by the establishment of the Confucius Institute, considering that many other collaborations like one being discussed now have come through this collaboration.”
The head of the Xiangtan delegation, Professor Dingyu Ou, expressed appreciation for the meeting, and acknowledged the history between the institutions. “As mentioned, we have a very long relationship and a very stable friendship between our two universities.”
Professor Ou extended appreciation for the support provided to the Confucius Institute at Makerere, the care shown to his colleagues, and looked forward to the successful start of the Chemical Engineering collaboration.
Assuring the delegation of Makerere’s readiness for the collaboration, Ms. Hawa Ndagire Kajumba the Lead, Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement, Makerere University Advancement Office, aligned with the Vice Chancellor’s emphasis of University goal to have both theory and practice imparted to the students.
She said “the curriculum of the university and Uganda as a whole is moving towards competence-based education training to ensure students are equipped to demonstrate those skills in the actual field, particularly regarding petroleum exploration.”
Ms. Ndagire Kajumba also emphasised a shift in strategy for the partnership office, saying, “we are moving away from just signing MOUs that collect dust, and moving towards those that are more collaborative to benefit our faculty and students, just like this one.”
Professor Gilbert Kumushabe aligned his remarks with those of the Vice Chancellor and Ms. Ndagire Kajumba, and described the method used at Xiangtan University as “actually competence-based teaching.”
Based on his recent visit, Prof. Gumoshabe shared that students in China are divided into groups with dedicated teachers to perform practical, hands-on work beyond the theoretical lecturers. He expressed gladness that the same was being adopted for the Ugandan context.
Both institutions are now working to finalise the specific agreements for the joint degree and exchange programs. Beyond academic training, the collaboration will advance cultural and professional exchange.
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