General
90 take part in Mak-SU ADA 2nd Joint Doctoral School
The Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT), Makerere University and the African Doctoral Academy (ADA) at Stellenbosch University (SU) have this week 12th to 16th September 2016 held the second Joint Doctoral School with two courses on Doctoral Supervision and Becoming a Lecturer. The course on Doctoral Supervision is being attended by 40 senior academics from Makerere University, Muni University, Kyambogo University, Gulu University, Ndejje University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) and Busitema University. Similarly, that on Becoming a Lecturer: Teaching and Learning in Higher Education is being attended by 50 early career academics from the same institutions.
The 1st Joint Doctoral School attracted over 100 participants from five public universities in Uganda and was held from 18th to 29th April 2016 at Makerere University. During the training participants tackled two cross cutting courses on Philosophy of Methods and Writing and Publishing an article.
The Joint Doctoral School is a result of discussions held between Makerere University and Stellenbosch University in June 2015. DRGT hosted Mr. Christoff Pauw, Manager, International Academic Networks and Ms. Corina Du Toit, Head, African Capacity Programme both of the Postgraduate and International Office at Stellenbosch University. After the meeting, it was agreed that cross–cutting courses through Joint Doctoral Schools should be conducted at Makerere University.
Opening the Joint Doctoral School on Monday 12th September 2016, the Deputy Director DRGT, Professor David Owiny, on behalf of the Director DRGT, Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza welcomed the facilitators from SU and thanked them for offering their time to train at Makerere University. Identifying himself as an Alumnus of SU, Prof. Owiny thanked the African Doctoral Academy (ADA) for funding the joint doctoral school.
Professor Owiny also recognized the sacrifice that participants had made to attend the courses, especially on the first day which was a public holiday. He encouraged participants to stay hroughout the entire one-week course.
Commenting on the course, the Director, Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza noted that over years, DRGT has realized the need to develop joint doctoral training programmes with other well ranked Universities in Africa. “To achieve our goal, we are implementing a collaborative doctoral school programme with the African Capacity Programme and International Office at Stellenbosch University, South Africa” he said.
In her remarks, Ms. Du Toit informed participants that Stellenbosch University’s long term collaborative partnership with Makerere University was the basis of hosting the Joint Doctoral Schools at Makerere. She expressed her pleasure conducting the second Joint Doctoral School and thanked DRGT for coordinating the school. She then wished participants a fruitful week of training.
The course on Doctoral Supervision was facilitated by Prof. Jan Botha from the Stellenbosch University, Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST), while the second Becoming a Lecturer: Teaching and Learning in Higher Education was by Prof Magda Fourie-Malherbe, Centre for Higher and Adult Education, SU and Dr Sonja Strydom, Centre for Learning Technologies, SU.
The course concluded today Friday 16th September with a ceremony where participants in the two courses were awarded academic certificates by Stellenbosch University.
Article by Public Relations Office and DRGT
General
Prof. Nawangwe urges young people to take up leadership in innovation for the transformation of Africa
By the Program Communication Team
On Sunday, February 2, 2025, Makerere University hosted the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council Representatives meeting, which brings together young people from around 45 partner universities of the Mastercard Foundation.
During the event, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe urged young people to prepare for leadership roles in innovation, especially starting with their communities, if they wish to see the positive transformation they desire in Africa.
“I urge you to connect and network with your peers and discuss how you can form inter-university teams to innovate solutions that will address the development challenges in our communities for the transformation of the African continent.” Prof. Nawangwe remarked.
Prof. Nawangwe applauded the Mastercard Foundation for its partnership with Makerere University and Uganda in general, which has uplifting effects on many young people.
“Makerere University and Uganda have made remarkable strides in providing Higher Education to Young People, thanks to the generous support of the Mastercard Foundation, which has contributed significantly to educating the next generation of African leaders. Through valuable initiatives and partnerships, such as the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Makerere University is poised to continue educating young individuals who will significantly impact Uganda’s and Africa’s economic growth.” Prof. Nawangwe noted.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nawangwe, further urged young people to seize the opportunities the Mastercard Foundation and other like-minded development partners presented to improve their lives and communities.
“The Mastercard Foundation has given you the platform and opportunity to be leaders and beacons of change. Embrace this responsibility with courage. Let the core values of the Scholars Program—humility, listening, kindness and respect, co-creation, and impact—guide your actions,” Prof. Nawangwe emphasized.
While speaking at the same event, the Program Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, Prof. Justine Namaalwa, enumerated high-level achievements the Program had accomplished for the last decade at Makerere University. She pointed out that in terms of scholarship enrolment, the Program had recruited 1,032 Scholars, of which 76% were Females, 7% were Internationals, 4% were Refugees, and about 1% were Youth with Disabilities.
Prof. Namaalwa further pointed out other post-graduation achievements, including a 94% completion rate of the total number of Scholars enrolled in the Scholars Program. She pointed out that between 2018 and 2025, the Program had graduated 964 Scholars, of which 37% were employed, mainly in the private sector.
Prof. Namaalwa revealed that beyond the Scholars Program, the Mastercard Foundation had put other initiatives supporting the university in numerous ways. She pointed out other initiatives such as the e-learning initiative, a COVID-19 Response measure to ensure continuity of Teaching and Learning at Makerere University and the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Collaborative: Makerere University, in collaboration with the University of Ghana, the University of Cape Town, and the University of Cambridge, is implementing a new initiative that addresses one of the world’s most significant challenges in recent times—climate change.
Prof. Namaalwa revealed that the Research Collaborative would provide opportunities for MSc and PhD scholarships to African students and encourage young people to enrol as graduate students starting in the academic year 2025/2026.
The event was punctuated with fireside chats, during which young people had an opportunity to discuss a number of topical issues related to entrepreneurship and Transformative leadership. Thereafter, the visiting students were taken on a guided tour around Makerere University.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council comprises student leaders from partner Universities. Each Partner University has one Council Representative. They represent the needs of Scholars and work with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program teams at each institution, the Mastercard Foundation, and Alumni.
On Monday 3rd February 2025, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe handed over three (3) university buses to the respective leadership in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), the College of Health Sciences (CHS), and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB).
The new buses mark a significant improvement in mobility and learning for Makerere University students and staff, furthering the institution’s commitment to practical education and community service.
Speaking at the handover ceremony held at the University’s Freedom Square, Prof. Nawangwe highlighted the significance of the new buses in enhancing teaching and learning. “These buses will play a crucial role in improving students’ practical learning experiences by ensuring reliable transportation for fieldwork and community outreach,” he said.
Prof. Nawangwe expressed gratitude to the Parliament and the Government of Uganda for providing the resources for the new buses, emphasizing their importance in replacing the old fleet, which frequently breaks down. The new 2023 model buses, with a 67-seater capacity, were secured at a cost of UGX 626million each and are expected to save the university significant maintenance costs and improve the learning experience for students.
Principals from the respective colleges expressed their appreciation for the new buses. Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine, Principal of CoVAB, emphasized the importance of the buses for practical training at locations such as Lake Mburo National Park. Associate Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga, Principal of CAES, and Associate Prof. Bruce Kirenga, Principal of CHS, highlighted the buses’ role in facilitating community engagement and outreach.
He explained that the decision to purchase Isuzu buses instead of those manufactured by Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) a Makerere University partner, was based on prior engagement with the former, as well as the need to utilize the allocated funds promptly within the Financial Year, which couldn’t be accomplished at KMC due to their high demand.
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