On 18^th April 2016, the Stellenbosch- Makerere University Joint Doctoral Training kicked off with over 100 participants from five Public Universities in Uganda ready to upgrade their doctoral research experiences and skills.

The two weeks training is set to run from 18^th-29^th April 2016 at Makerere University. During the training participants will study two cross cutting courses; Philosophy of Methods and Writing and Publishing an article with the aim of expanding students’ academic and practical comprehension of the concepts of science, knowledge and research.

Hosted by Makerere University Directorate of Research and Graduate Training together with Stellenbosch University, the training will also acquaint the students with the philosophical principles behind the quantitative and qualitative methods of research, enhance the students’ awareness about ethical conflicts in relation to research and provide a forum for each student to discuss, and improve their own research proposals.

According to the Director Makerere University-Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT) Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, participants will also be exposed to an opportunity to plan and write articles which will be published in a journal.

“Participants are expected to work on material from their doctoral studies, craft their articles with one-on-one discussions and receive feedback from the facilitators during the writing process.  After completion of the course, the participants will have completed articles which can be submitted for consideration by the intended journal,” he said.

Prof. Buyinza expressed his gratitude to Stellenbosch University for their long term collaboration with Makerere University.  “The Directorate of Research and Graduate Training is the mandated unit to guide the research agenda in  Makerere University. It is always a pleasure to really have partners to internationalize Makerere University. I am so grateful for the collaboration with Stellenbosch University,” he said.

He therefore encouraged participants to effectively utilize the resources and facilitators during the training for a productive personal benefit at the end of the course. 

Ms. Corina Du Toit, Head both African Capacity Programme and African Doctoral Academy (ADA) at Stellenbosch University-South Africa, congratulated the participants upon the wonderful opportunity focused on revamping their professional way of life.

 “I would like to say you are very lucky to be part of this program. We are very humbled with your presence and we are looking forward to having a wonderful course as planned,” she said.

The Deputy Director-Makerere University Directorate of Research and Graduate Training who also doubles as the Programme Coordinator of Stellenbosch- Makerere University Joint Doctoral Programme, Associate Professor David Owiny said that Makerere University is blessed to have a collaboration with one of the best Universities in Africa. To him, this collaboration will take the two institutions to higher levels of learning and research development.

He further urged the two institutions to focus on collaborations in Joint PhD supervision, writing joint proposals for research funding and student exchange.

The Universities selected to participate in the training include: Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Busitema University, Gulu University and Mbarara University.

Article written by: Makerere University Public Relations Office.