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MCF Scholars at Makerere University receive 199 laptops
It was moment of jubilation on Friday 27th January 2017 when Makerere University MasterCard Foundation (MCF) Scholars of Academic Year 2016/2017 received laptops. The 199 laptops were handed over to the Cohort Three Scholars by the Chairperson of the MCF Steering Committee, Dr. Ernest Okello Ogwang on behalf of the Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu at a highly colorful ceremony.
Makerere University entered into a partnership with MasterCard Foundation to offer Scholarships to 1000 academically bright but economically disadvantaged youth in Africa to study at Makerere University from 2013 to 2024. The aim of the project is develop the next generation of African Leaders, who will contribute to the development of the African continent.
MasterCard Foundation (MCF) Scholars Program provides a comprehensive financial, academic and social support to each and every Scholar. This include; tuition and functional fees, a laptop, books and other learning materials, accommodation, beddings and meals medical insurance, stipend, transport to and from home, psychosocial and mentorship support as well as career education. A laptop therefore is an entitlement to every scholar.
In a speech read by the Dr. Ernest Okello Ogwang, the Vice Chancellor said that the laptops received will enable Scholars to have easy access to information, improve on their writing and typing skills as well as having more interactions with the MasterCard Foundation.
“I now expect you to be more efficient, have better accessibility to the Internet, and to present timely assignments to your lecturers,” he said.
According to Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu, the laptops offered give the Scholars a comparative advantage towards their academic pursuit especially when they are combined with International Computer Driving License (ICDL) that covers the key concepts of computing and its practical applications. He therefore urged scholars to properly manage and take good care of their laptops. “This is a resource in your hands. Use the laptops in the most effective way during your studies,” he said.
He reminded the Scholars that the laptops remain the property of Makerere University until when the Scholars have satisfactorily completed their study program. “These laptops have therefore been engraved and occasionally you will be required to personally present them to the program office to ascertain that you still own them,” he explained.
He applauded the Development Partners for assisting the Ugandan youth to access quality education; a foundation to stability and prosperity in Uganda and Africa as a continent. The Vice Chancellor thanked the Program Implementation Team led by Dr. Florence Nakayiwa for the commitment and success thus far.
Speaking to the cheerful audience, the Chairperson of Mak-MCF Steering Committee Dr. Ernest Okello Ogwang urged Scholars to use their laptops as gadgets for solving problems.
“A computer is a facility that can help you manage your business, do you work and so many other things in a favorable timeframe. I therefore challenge you to make this computer work for you in this era of the 21st century,” he said.
Mr. Enock Muwanguzi, a third year student pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering tipped the Scholars on the advantages and disadvantages of computers as well as the proper management of laptops.
In the presentation, Mr. Muwanguzi highlighted that laptops provide access to free and useful information, facilitate research, interactivity and networking. “Computers play an important role in our lives. However, we must use them properly and effectively,” he said.
Mr. Muwanguzi also cautioned Scholars on thugs who can take advantage of their innocence and steal their laptops. “Moving with these laptops from class to class and at the night is very risky. Take care of your laptops because if you handle them carelessly someone will take them from you,” he said.
Pellusce Kabarokole- a third year student pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Science with Education shared a personal life story that touched many people.
“I never thought of being an important person in the future because I had no hope of continuing with my studies after the death of my father in a fatal accident. However, I am so happy that I have managed to reach this far because MasterCard Foundation Scholarship Program has supported me,” she happily testified.
Kabarokole said that she focused on science courses to change the attitude that sciences were meant for boys. “Many girls in my village fear to pursue science courses thinking that they are meant for boys. So I want to prove to them that even girls can do science courses and excel,” she said.
The Senior Public Relations Officer, Makerere University, Ms. Ritah Namisango reiterated the need for the Scholars to use the laptops for the best purpose. “Many students would like to have personal laptops, but they don’t have the required financial resources. You are lucky to have a scholarship with a comprehensive package that includes a laptop. Please use the laptops to excel in academics, research and networking,” she said.
During the occasion, the Vice Chancellor also launched the “AlumNet” a Scholar’s Magazine that provides a platform to all Scholars to express their views and opinions about the MCF Scholars Program and other topical issues.
The MCF Communication and Web Officer Mr. Bernard Buteera Butare, highlighted that the AlumNet is an Annual Scholars Magazine that focuses on providing vital information on the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program Network at Makerere University and the alumni of the Program after they have completed their studies.
“In this maiden issue of 2016-2017, you will find stories and activities undertaken. In here, you will also find the scholars stories, testimonies in forms of writings and pictorials. So flip through all the pages and you will be treated to a lot of infotainment,” he explained.
The Award Ceremony was graced by important people including: MasterCard Foundation Mentors, Members of the MasterCard Steering Committee, College Principals, Acting Director of Makerere University Gender and Mainstreaming Directorate Ms. Florence Nyachwo, Acting Director of Makerere University Directorate of Legal Affairs Mr. Goddy Muhumuza, Acting Director of Makerere University Internal Audit Mr. Patrick Akonyet and Manager, Makerere University Counseling and Guidance Centre, Mr. Henry Nsubuga.
Written by: Mak News Reporters
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The College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) on Thursday 17th June, 2021 commenced celebrations to mark 50 Years of Veterinary Higher Education, Science, Technology, Innovation and Services (HESTIS) in Uganda. The blended event held at the Industrial Livestock Research, Incubation and Skilling (ILRIS) Center at Nakyesasa, Namulonge as well as online was presided over by the Chancellor, Prof. Ezra Suruma and First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports (MoES), Hon. Janet Museveni both represented by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
The event, held as part of Makerere University Centenary Celebrations (1922-2022) was a moment of celebration for 1,930 skilled livestock agribusiness entrepreneurs who were awarded certificates in recognition of completion of their respective courses. Owing to the strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) instituted by the Ministry of Health (MoH) to curb the spread of COVID-19, the students from Incubation Hubs in Atiak, Butaleja, Mubende, Nakyesasa, Sheema and Wakiso were awarded their certificates virtually.
In her remarks read by Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Hon. Janet Museveni thanked Makerere University for supporting grassroots level development through groundbreaking innovations under the Africa Institute for Strategic Services and Development-Skills for Production Enterprise Development and Accreditation (AFRISA-SPEDA) model.
“I am extremely pleased that Makerere University, through those innovative approaches, has developed and launched the alternative approach to building human capital and transferring knowledge to enterprises in communities.
“I would like to encourage all those involved in skills development to adopt methodologies that transform those trainees that go through these programs in ways that enable them also transform the societies they live in” read the Minister’s remarks.
She further noted that commissioning of the CoVAB@50 celebrations was both timely and rewarding. “The commissioning of the college innovations indeed has made meaning. This is a true path to growth of an Academic and Development College of the University, and we congratulate you again.”
Addressing the congregation as Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe congratulated CoVAB alumna and incoming Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MoSTI) under the Office of the President, Dr. Monica Musenero upon her recent appointment. “We thank His Excellency the President for identifying you. Science is in good hands.”
Prof. Nawangwe urged Dr. Musenero to address the structures of managing research and innovation in Uganda, “including the role of the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology and the apparent need to establish a Research Council for Uganda.”
In the same breath he thanked the outgoing and pioneer Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Dr. Elioda Tumuwesigye, for his role in ensuring that the ministry is empowered to carry out its mandate.
The Chancellor congratulated CoVAB upon training the bulk of Veterinary Doctors in Uganda over the last 50 years and more recently, Laboratory Technologists at the highest level. He recognised Makerere University‘s obligation to contribute to the economic self-determination of Uganda and thanked CoVAB for conducting research that addresses hindrances to national development, especially in the livestock industry.
“The anti-tick vaccine is one of such innovations which will solve the huge problem of tick-borne diseases that have caused enormous losses to our farmers. There are many other problems on which the college is researching and we thank you for the enthusiasm” he added.
The Chancellor commended CoVAB for being the vanguard of transformation of the grassroots communities through the SPEDA model. “I urge Government to fund this important initiative so that it can more meaningfully contribute to solving the big problem of youth unemployment.”
In her remarks, Dr. Monica Musenero commended the Principal, CoVAB, Prof. John David Kabasa for fulfilling the College’s dream of enabling the masses who drop out of the education value chain as well as those who complete education but have no skills for livelihood, to attain certification in agribusiness entrepreneurship.
“Many people attain academic success and write papers, publish and they become professors but without demonstrable impact on their nation. You have shown by the thousands that you have touched nationwide that indeed you are a professor of national transformation. Congratulations,” remarked Dr. Musenero.
She therefore congratulated the teams at CoVAB and AFRISA upon successfully conceiving and executing a model that is non-traditional, informal, not easily understood and not documented in any textbooks.
As Minister, Dr. Musenero noted that witnessing thousands of individuals from across the country whose skills had been honed through a university programme receiving certificates gave her a lot of hope and material to embark on her tenure with. “I will be looking forward to harnessing these resources as we initiate work on the next leg of Science, Technology and Innovation in the country under the President’s Office.”
The invitation to the Principal, CoVAB to present students for the award of the ordinary diplomas, ordinary certificates and artisan certificates was given by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Dr. Umar Kakumba. He congratulated the awardees upon successfully completing their respective courses and graduating with evidence on an enterprise.
Prof. Kabasa clarified that the approach used to train the day’s awardees was not simply a vocational skilling. “The combination of action research with knowledge transfer, skilling, plus assessment and accreditation processes done by organs like the DIT (Directorate of Industrial Training, MoES) has given us this result, for the University to provide true leadership and transformation of the community.”
Present at the celebrations were the Director, DIT, MoES-Mr. Byakatonda Patrick and the Deputy Commissioner Social Services Development, MoES Madam Elizabeth Bateme who have worked through the Academic-Community-Public-Private-Partnership model to ensure that students graduate as entrepreneurs with micro enterprises.
Prior to presiding over the ceremony, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, on behalf of the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports officially commissioned the SPEDA Training, Incubation and Research Centre – Nakyesasa.
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