General
Mak Delegation to Malaysia lays firm Foundation for Collaborations
Makerere University is set to establish partnerships with universities in Malaysia to extend each other’s areas of interest.
This follows a benchmarking mission to the University of Kuala Lumpur, the University of Putra Malaysia Holdings and the University of Putra Malaysia, by a delegation of four members of Staff from Makerere University led by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance and Administration, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe. The other members of the delegation were Prof. David Owiny Okello, Deputy Director, Directorate of Research and Graduate Training; Dr. Hussein Nsamba Kisiki, Lecturer, Department of Chemistry, CONAS; and Mr. Moses Nadiope, Ag. CEO, Makerere University Holdings Company Ltd.
The objectives of the bench-marking visit were to:
a. Strengthen capacity of University Management in management of innovations and commercialization of research;
b. Benchmark best practices in the area of research commercialization and innovation at universities in countries with identical socio-economic conditions to Uganda, which have recorded success in that area;
c. Explore opportunities for collaboration between Makerere University and the leading Malaysian universities, and between Makerere University Holdings Company Ltd. and similar entrepreneurial ventures at the Malaysian universities.
At Putra Malaysia Holdings (UPMHOLDINGS) the delegation was received by the Managing Director, Prof. Dr. Husaini Omar and the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mohd Kamil Yusoff. According to Prof. Nawangwe, “After this visit, the Mak delegation reaffirmed that a university holding company is a viable way of implementing university investments. Its success greatly depends on the initial support from the university in ensuring maximum independence of the Board in taking business decisions.” UPMHOLDINGS handles student accommodation, catering, events management, space rentals and laboratory services.
At the University of Putra Malaysia (UPM), the delegation was received by and held discussions with the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Prof. Dato Dr. Mohd Azmi Mohd Lila, who was joined by Prof. Dato Mohd Yazid Manap, Director of Halal Products Research Institute, Prof. Dr. Taufiq Yap Yun Hin, Head of Laboratory for Sustainable Bioenergy and Chemicals Catalysis Science and Technology Research Centre, Ms Shahriah member, Head of Marketing and Branding section among others.
The discussions concentrated on the UPM experience in research and innovations, technology transfer between university and industry and commercialization of research. UPM, originally established as an agricultural institute, was later transformed into a multi-disciplinary university, mainly funded by Government. “From this visit, we appreciated that recognition of Research Productivity is a major incentive to researchers and a dedicated IP and research commercialization office is key to success,” explains Prof. Nawangwe. At the end of the meetings at UPM, the two factions agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance further collaboration between the two universities. This process has started.
The delegation then proceeded to the main campus/Chancellory and the Malaysian Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering Technology (MICET) of the University of Kuala Lumpur on 9th and 11th November respectively. At the main campus located in central Kuala Lumpur, the Mak delegation held discussions with the UniKL delegation led by Prof. Prof. Dato. HJ. Ahmad Zahir HJ. Mokhtar, Deputy President (International, Industrial and Institutional Partnership). “Here we learnt that Malaysia’s heavy investment in the education sector since independence is paying dividends. It was also evident that the collaboration between Government, private sector and universities is key to industrialization and development of the service industry,” said the Deputy Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Nawangwe further explains that these Universities were delighted to hear about the developments at Makerere University and the possible areas of collaboration especially in research/innovations and Staff/student exchanges. “We intend to move aggressively in ensuring that we sign an MoU and cement relationships with these universities. We shall be approaching the different colleges to see how to map out the route,” he asserted.
The benchmarking trip to Malaysian universities provided useful lessons for Makerere University’s current programme of diversification of revenue sources, especially the way in which commercialization is handled in conditions of a developing economy. The trip was sponsored by the Centre for Research in Transport and Transportation Technologies (CRTT).
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Article by Mak Public Relations Office
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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