The Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence at Makerere University has launched a five-day intensive training program for over 30 public officers from various government agencies. This significant event is being held in Jinja, aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of public officers in effective investment management.

The training program was officially opened on July 1, 2024 by the Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences, Makerere University, under which the Centre of Excellence operates. In his opening remarks, the Principal emphasized the importance of building capacity within public institutions to ensure efficient and effective management of public investments.

“We are committed to equipping our public officers with the necessary skills and knowledge to manage public investments efficiently. This training is a testament to our dedication to excellence in public service,” stated the Principal.

The opening ceremony was also attended by Ms. Getrude Basiima from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the funding agency for this training program. Ms. Basiima highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to supporting capacity-building initiatives that contribute to the country’s economic development.

“The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development is proud to support this initiative. We believe that investing in the professional development of our public officers is crucial for the sustainable growth of our nation’s economy,” Ms. Basiima remarked.

Proper Public Investment Management (PIM) is critical for ensuring that government resources are used effectively to achieve development goals. It involves rigorous planning, allocation, and monitoring of public funds to maximize socio-economic benefits and minimize wastage. Effective PIM leads to improved infrastructure, better public services, and enhanced economic growth, ultimately contributing to the overall well-being of citizens.

Throughout the five-day training, participants will engage in a series of interactive sessions and practical exercises designed to enhance their competencies in public investment management. The training covers various topics, project proposal writing including project planning, financial analysis, risk management, and performance evaluation.

This initiative by the Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence at Makerere University underscores the institution’s role as a leader in fostering professional development and enhancing the capacity of public sector professionals in Uganda.

The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is pleased to announce the 3^rd U.S.-Africa Frontiers of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Symposium in partnership with and hosted by the Republic of Rwanda. The upcoming meeting will be held on February 18-20, 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda. The application is now open for scientists, engineers, and medical professionals from the United States and African Union member countries to submit their application online before the deadline of July 7, 2024, 11:59 PM ET (Washington D.C. time).

This program brings together outstanding early/mid-career scientists, engineers, and medical professionals (within 15 years of most recent degree), from the United States and the member countries of the African Union for a series of symposia to discuss exciting advances and opportunities in their fields. The goal of these meetings is to enhance scientific exchange and dialogue among early-to-middle career researchers in African countries and the United States, including the African science diaspora, and through this interaction facilitate research collaboration within and beyond the region. Another unique aspect of the Frontiers events is the pluri-disciplinarity of the participants’ backgrounds and research interests.

One of the main objectives of this Frontiers symposium is to advance our understanding of cutting-edge S&T trends in the U.S. and Africa and to foster dialogue and collaborations across disciplines. The upcoming symposium will address the following topics:

• Session I: New Solutions for Decarbonization
• Session II: Biotechnology
• Session III: Precision Agriculture
• Session IV: Advances in Space Research
• Session V: Smart and Connected Cities

We encourage early-career scientists, engineers and medical professionals working on related research to apply to this multidisciplinary meeting, as long as they fulfill the eligibility criteria. Each general participant will also have the opportunity to present their research during poster sessions. Travel of selected participants will be covered. More details on the symposium, organization, and program can be found on the symposium webpage.

Please submit your application online by 11:59 PM ET on July 7, 2024. For more information on the U.S.-Africa Frontiers Program, please visit our program website. Please email USAfricaSTEM@nas.edu with any questions.

APPLY BY JULY 7

Homegrown Clean Energy Project:

Mobility for Clean Energy Solutions to promote energy independence and environmental well-being through collaboration and innovation, addressing climate challenges across Africa.

Background:

Africa, a continent brimming with potential, faces a critical challenge: ensuring energy access and tackling climate change. Over 50% of its population lacks electricity, and relying on unsustainable practices threatens their health and the environment. Yet, Africa possesses a wealth of untapped renewable resources – a golden key to unlocking a brighter future.
The Homegrown Clean Energy (HCE) Solutions Project steps in to address these challenges with a vision driven by African ingenuity. We are empowering universities, the private sector, and local communities to develop clean energy solutions tailored to their specific needs.

The objectives of Homegrown Clean Energy:

• Promote the development of Homegrown Clean Energy (HCE) solutions for underrepresented communities.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and technology transfer among participating institutions.
• Enhance entrepreneurship skills in clean energy solutions for climate change adaptation and mitigation in Africa.
• Promote gender equality and social inclusion in clean energy solutions.

Participating Institutions:

• Federal University of Technology Minna (FUTMIN), Nigeria
• Makerere University, Uganda
• University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Benin
• Uganda Martyrs University (UMU), Uganda
• University of Nigeria (UNN), Nigeria
• University of Zimbabwe (UoZ)

Application Documents:

1. Filled Application Form
2. CV
3. A three-page proposal document
   

See Downloads for detailed application.

How to Apply for the Scholarship:

To apply: click here to apply: Masters https://bit.ly/HCE_MScApply
To apply: click here to apply: PhD https://bit.ly/HCE_PhDApply

Application Deadline

The deadline for the application is 27^th July 2024 by Midnight GMT +1. Results will be announced on September 3, 2024

Contact Details

For further enquiries or guidance required kindly contact the following.

• FUT Minna – Caroline Alenoghena; carol@futminna.edu.ng +234 8035015984
• UNN- Cynthia Nwobodo; cynthia.nwobodo@unn.edu.ng +234 803 946 2574
• MAK– Grace Nakabonge; grace.nakabonge@mak.ac.ug +256 782356607
• UMU- Dr Robinah S. Nakabo; rnakabo@umu.ac.ug +256 776 802981
• UAC- Michel Dossou; michel.dossou@uac.bj +229 97 54 27 44
• UoZ- Dr Blessing Magonziwa; blessing.magonziwa21@alumni.colostate.edu. +263 775990146