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Mak Hosts Association of African Universities Advancement Workshop

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The advancement workshop  was held at Africa Suites Hotel, Mutungo from 27th -29th September 2016. The workshop brought together Academic Registrars, Human Resource Managers and directors and Chief Financial Officers from Western, Eastern and Southern Africa Universities that constitute the Association to discuss and dialogue on their roles as Registrars, Financial Officers and Human Resource Officers, articulating their needs in terms of the value adding services they need to provide in the 21st Century University.

In his opening speech, the Secretary General of the AAU extended his apologies for his inability to attend due to other developments at the Secretariat which required his attention and presence. He was however represented by the Vice Chancellor, Makerere University, Prof John Ddumba Ssentamu, who read his speech and also warmly welcomed the participants to the three-day workshop for Executives of African Universities Programme offered by the AAU and Stellenbosch Academy of Advancement.

”In line with our mission, we consider this theme “University Advancement – The Role of the Registrar, CFO and CHR in the 21st Century University” very timely for the topical issues it seeks to address.

Ladies and Gentlemen, all modern organizations today, aspire to sustainable excellence, and universities can surely not be left out of this current trend. Most importantly, those of us in various key positions of leadership have a major role to play in advancing our respective higher education institutions.  Registrars, Chief Financial Officers and Chief Human Resource officers certainly form a major segment in piecing together efforts by the various sections of the university towards its transformation.
As leaders of your various institutions, departments and units, you hold the future of your institutions in your hands, providing strategic and critical direction and leadership to the University, and ensuring a coherent vision across all the constituent parts of the University.

It is our hope that through this platform, your needs, will be articulated in terms of the value adding services that should be provided to 21st century Africa HEI’s.  I am confident that as we share and discuss through the carefully selected topics and planned session, we can together identify common issues across our universities and come up with their solutions thereof.

Whilst maintaining a good level of optimism about the outcomes of our meeting here, let me also say, that this workshop should not be seen to provide tailor-made solutions to the many challenges within HEIs, but as a collective opportunity to engage in a dialogue, facilitated by the Advancement Academy at Stellenbosch, and other resource persons towards strategic approaches to overcoming some of those common issues identified.

Distinguished guests, you would agree with me, that  the classical university model has been challenged by massification, marketization, internationalisation,  technology and globalisation among other key emerging issues in the the 21st Century.

All these factors do have a ripple effect on the governance structures of our universites,  including the offices of Registrars, CFOs and CHRs in ensuring sustainability and relevance of higher education to society. And most importantly in advancing our institutions. The need to reflect on, and adapt to the changing times can surely not be overemphasised.
Your individual roles in assisting the university pursue its vision, makes you a unique group in the higher education circle whose actions and inactions can affect your institutions in a critical way.

This is why the AAU, has since 2007 been organizing several workshops on Leadership as well as Management Skills Development for senior executives and middle level managers of African Universities respectively. These are aimed at enhancing the leadership skills of university leaders, particularly in the promotion of innovation and management of change, as well as to strengthen collaboration, networking, and capacity building among this group”.

He went on to say that, in 2017, the AAU will be celebrating its Golden Jubilee at the next General Conference that will be hosted in Accra, Ghana and extended an invitation to all participants. 50 years of serving the African continent as its voice for matters on higher education and developmental issues, was indeed a great feat worth celebrating.

He reiterated the commitment and dedication of the AAU and its partners, to continuously engage in effective collaborations with Higher Education stakeholders to implement quality and strategic programmes targeted at improving the quality of education in Ghana and on the African continent as a whole.Some of the Registrars from the different universities who attended the workshop.

I am confident that the various discussions and resolutions which will be reached at this conference will be fervently pursued to the letter.

The Workshop was facilitated by Professor Tobias De Coning of Stellenbosch Advancement Academy. This was done through presentations on different topics such as driving forces that will fundamentally affect the 21st century African universities. The forces singled out were competitive domestic and international student markets, challenges of government funding, competition for new sources of funding, use of digital technologies in campus based learning, blended learning, global student mobility, integration with industry, the scale and depth of industry-based learning, research partnerships and commercialisation, among others. This was followed by discussions on the practical impact of these driving forces. There was also a presentation on what Vice Chancellors and University presidents expect from their senior managers and how these managers meet those expectations through discussions of the challenges they face. Some of the challenges mentioned were, how to attract and sustain sufficient resources, how to attract the best staff and students, how to become the preferred recipient for external support, service delivery that satisfies their clients (staff, students and other stakeholders). There was also sharing of views on what should be done to ensure optimal functionality of Registrar’s, Financial Officers and Human Resource Officers from different perspectives of the various universities present.

Universities represented were University of Cape Coast, Ghana; Stellenbosch University, South Africa; Ezekiel Guti University, Zimbabwe; Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique; Kyambogo University; Bugema University; Busitema University; Islamic University in Uganda; Muni University; Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi and Ndejje University.

In his closing remarks, The Vice Chancellor, Makerere University, Professor John Ddumba Ssentamu said, “I am certain that this workshop has expanded your thinking of the different roles of technical staff in a University and especially the African University within the dynamic global higher education setting. It is no doubt that the roles of the Registrar, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Human Resource Officer are the backbone of the University and the thrusts upon which a successful Vice Chancellor operates”. You know the work you do in your institutions and its level of importance. It is crucial that your services are performed with diligence, precision and above all excellence if African Universities are to reach global competitive standards.

This workshop has equipped you with the required mindsets and strategic tools to help you rethink, redesign and realign your various functions to be able to function effectively serve the Vision and Mission of the University.

As member of the Governing Council of the Association of African Universities, the Association of African Universities and its partners are committed and dedicated to continuously engage in effective collaborations with Higher Education Stakeholders to implement quality and strategic programmes targeted at improving the quality of higher education on the African continent.
He thanked Prof. Tobie De Coning for successfully facilitating the workshop and thanked all the participants for engaging in this important conversation that will help us improve our universities. In a special way, he thanked the participants from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Ghana and Mozambique for attending the workshop.

Lastly, he extended his sincere thanks to the Association of African Universities Secretariat, particularly the Secretary General for supporting the workshop and Ms Yvette Quashie (from AAU) and Ms Martha Muwanguzi on behalf of Makerere University for organizing the workshop successfully.
He awarded certificates to the participants and officially closed the workshop.

Article by:

Martha Muwanguzi
Head International Office

 

Elias Tuhereze

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Uhuru Kenyatta, African Leaders Inspire Youth at Guild Leaders’ Summit

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Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, keynote address by Former President of Kenya, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, 24th April 2025, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.

In a vibrant celebration of youth leadership and African unity, Makerere University hosted the Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, an event that brought together high-profile dignitaries, student leaders, and international partners for a powerful dialogue on the future of the continent. The summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, served as a rallying point for East Africa’s young leaders to confront Africa’s most urgent challenges—on their own terms and with their own solutions.

A Warm Welcome and Reflections on Makerere’s Legacy

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, welcomed the distinguished guests, who included Former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo, former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, Justice Simon Byabakama, Hon. Mathew Rukikaire, and European Union Deputy Ambassador Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, among others.

In his address, Prof. Nawangwe reflected on Makerere’s deep historical ties to East Africa’s liberation and development movements. He reminded the audience that Makerere University has been a crucible for the continent’s leadership, stating:

“Jomo Kenyatta was the first person to receive a degree from Makerere when, in 1963, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by then Chancellor Julius Nyerere. All freedom fighters in East Africa studied at Makerere.”

H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta is received upon arrival at Makerere University by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe. Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, keynote address by Former President of Kenya, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, 24th April 2025, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta is received upon arrival at Makerere University by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.

Building on this rich history, Prof. Nawangwe affirmed the university’s current mission to tackle pressing continental issues. “Today,” he said, “Makerere is committed to addressing Africa’s challenges—climate change, disease, poverty, food security, conflict resolution, and economic development. But we cannot do this alone.”

He echoed sentiments later shared by the keynote speaker, stressing that Africa must no longer depend on external interventions:

“Foreign agencies will not solve all Africa’s problems. It is our young people who must step forward and lead the change.”

Uhuru Kenyatta: “You Are the Last Line of Defence”

In a keynote address that resonated deeply with the students and delegates in attendance, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a bold and urgent call to action for Africa’s youth.

“No one is coming to save us,” Kenyatta declared. “You are the last line of defence in the battle to rescue the heart and soul of Africa.”

H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta (2nd Right) poses for a group photo during the courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor with Left to Right: Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Ms. Sarah Kagingo and Guild President-H.E. Churchill James Ssentamu. Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, keynote address by Former President of Kenya, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, 24th April 2025, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta (2nd Right) poses for a group photo during the courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor with Left to Right: Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Ms. Sarah Kagingo and Guild President-H.E. Churchill James Ssentamu.

Positioning today’s youth as the heirs of the continent’s freedom fighters, Kenyatta described the current moment as a new “independence era”—not of political liberation, but of economic and intellectual sovereignty. He urged students to think critically about intra-African trade, which currently accounts for less than 2.5% of global commerce, and to advocate for the removal of internal barriers to trade, innovation, and mobility.

“You are the freedom fighters of this generation,” he said. “Universities must be incubators of change, and students must be the trustees of tomorrow’s Africa.”

Pan-Africanism, Leadership, and Action

Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo encouraged students to take up the mantle of Pan-Africanism with unwavering commitment. She acknowledged that while the rhetoric of African unity is inspiring, real progress demands more than words:

Left to Right: The Vice President-H.E. Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Emeritus-Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Hon. Matthew Rukikaire and other dignitaries follow proceedings. Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, keynote address by Former President of Kenya, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, 24th April 2025, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.
Left to Right: The Vice President-H.E. Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Emeritus-Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Hon. Matthew Rukikaire and other dignitaries follow proceedings.

“You must embrace the spirit of Pan-Africanism. But it is easy to say these words—the challenge lies in collective implementation.”

She emphasized the importance of action-oriented leadership and urged the youth to harness their creativity, energy, and education for the benefit of the continent.

European Union’s Message: Leadership with Integrity

Representing Team Europe, the EU Deputy Ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, gave a passionate speech on the values of authentic leadership, integrity, and inclusive development. He praised Makerere University as a space where “intellectual ambition meets civic responsibility” and emphasized that leadership is not about prestige, but purpose:

“Be a leader because of what you want to be—not because of what you want to have,” he said.

Citing former Makerere alumni such as Julius Nyerere and Wangari Maathai, Chartrain called on students to model courage, resilience, and humility:

“True leadership emerges in moments of loss—when resilience, not triumph, becomes the measure of one’s character.”

The EU, he said, remains committed to supporting youth through programs like Erasmus+, the EU Youth Sounding Board, and partnerships with organizations like Faraja Africa Foundation and Restless Development. These initiatives empower youth not as symbols, but as active participants in shaping policy and governance.

The Legacy Continues

Throughout the summit, speakers highlighted the importance of legacy and long-term impact. They challenged young leaders to think not just about the present, but about the systems and institutions they will leave behind. In the words of Former President Kenyatta:

“Leadership is not about the next election. It’s about the next generation.”

The summit ended on a high note, with students invigorated and inspired to lead with purpose. As global support grows less predictable and Africa stands at a crossroads, the message from Makerere was clear: the future of the continent is in the hands of its youth. And as the Guild Leaders’ Summit demonstrated, they are ready.

Betty Kyakuwa
Betty Kyakuwa

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Admission Lists for Diploma Holders under Government Sponsorship for 2025/2026 AY

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One of the First Class Graduands Shafik Senkubuge (2nd Right) in a group photo with part of the BEHS Class of 2024. 74th Graduation Ceremony, Day 1, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences (CHS), 29th January 2024, Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released lists of Diploma holders admitted under the Government Sponsorship Scheme for the Academic Year 2025/2026.

Under the Diploma Holders Government Sponsorship Scheme admission does not exceed 5% of the intake capacity to the respective Degree Programme.

The list can be accessed by following the link below:

Mak Editor

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Call For Applications: AlphaFold Workshop Uganda 2025

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Are you a researcher or student working in protein-related research, structural biology, or bioinformatics?

The African Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Data Intensive Sciences (ACE) Uganda with support from Google DeepMind, invites researchers and students seeking to integrate AlphaFold into their work to apply for the AlphaFold Workshop to be held at the Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University-Kampala, Uganda from 16th to 20th June 2025.

Deadline: 30th April 2025

Apply here: AlphaFold Workshop – Uganda 2025

Mak Editor

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