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AfDB Supports Internship Programmes at Mak
The Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Sports with support from the African Development Bank (AfDB) organized a two day internship training program to prepare students for the marketplace. The training which was held from 3-4th June 2016 targeted finalist students from the Colleges of Agricultural and environmental Sciences (CAES), Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB), Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS) and Natural Sciences (CONAS).
The three year project will benefit students in the Science and Technology fields from Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Busitema University, Gulu University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology and Muni University.The major goal of the project is to ensure that graduates from the benefitting universities are equipped with knowledge and skills that suit the demands of employers and reduce on unemployment rates among the youth in Uganda.
The two day training, specific to Makerere University students, was an induction training in Workplace Based Skills as a way of orienting them to the program. The students shall thereafter be posted to companies for a 2-6 months internship period. A total of 725 students were invited for the training, and of these 320 will be placed in various firms under the UMA umbrella company association. This number has risen from 178 in 2015 to 320 students in 2016.
The main objectives of the training were to build confidence by improving communication skills, improve interpersonal relationships whilst enhancing team work, and increase potential by marketing oneself. Others included time management, appreciation of the key principles of occupational health and safety, entrepreneurship skills, report writing, problem solving skills and development of a positive work attitude.
The Vice Chancellor-Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu while opening the training reminded students that resorting to strikes was a habit they should denounce especially once they have been employed. This program is being implemented by the Planning and Development Department and will run from June through to December 2016.
The facilitators of training included Mr. Suula Nkuutu and Mr. Joseph Kyalimpa.
AfDB has in the recent past immensely contributed to development initiatives at Makerere University. Prior to this internship training program, AfDB support has contributed to infrastructural development, refurbishment of teaching and learning facilities as well as purchase of equipment to enhance teaching of science and technology-related disciplines at Makerere University.
Article by Nancy Karunganwa, Planning and Development Department (PDD)
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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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