Prof. Dr ANDO Takayuki, the Director, Centre for International Affairs, Tottori University, Japan visited Makerere University on 6th February 2017. He was accompanied by Dr Frank Kalema, an alumni of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences but now based in Tottori University.
The purpose of his visit was to acquaint himself with the Overseas Practical Education Program inUganda that is run every year during the months of August to September and meet staff who interact with their students. Tottori University has been collaborating with Makerere University since October 2012 with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Under the Overseas Practical Education Program inUganda, about ten students from Tottori University selected from different disciplines come to Makerere University to broaden their mindsets through life experiences in a developing country,to facilitate students’ specific global competence skills such as cross-cultural communication and also facilitate practical knowledge and skills development in agricultural, engineering, health and social science fields through taking lectures on the history, the economy, current and future prospects of the Ugandan society. They also visit different companies such as the tea, rice and sugar plantations in the western and eastern region, study the natural ecosystems and also the research centres like the Namulonge Rice Scheme funded by the Japanese government.
During the visit, the Director paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor (who was represented by Dr Okello Ogwang, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs). Dr Okello Ogwang welcomed Prof Ando and informed him that he himself attended the session when students made their presentations on topics they had selected about the different aspects of Uganda society. Some talked about our education system and compared it to the Japanese education system, some talked about the climate and farming systems in the rural areas, big and small scale farming, the challenges of weather and pests, what Ugandan farmers can learn from Japanese farmers, the health system in the country and the medical personnel attending to patients, management of the environment, to mention just a few.
Dr Okello Ogwang was very impressed by the boldness of the students in making the presentations and answering questions put forward to them by the audience. He said that, much as we do not have monetary input into the programme, at least we can afford the cultural component such as language, music and more and make the exchange more enriching. There is also need to give it visibility in the university and also in the media.
Dr Okello Ogwang also suggested an afternoon for a cultural performance to the university community where a presentation about Japan to display culture will be made and a talk on study opportunities in Japan to the students.
Dr Ando informed the Dr Okello Ogwang that, the programme is sponsored by funding from JICA through universities to facilitate the exchange. He expressed his appreciation to the University for sustaining the collaboration and also appreciated Ms Martha Muwanguzi of International Office, Ms Rebecca Mukebezi the coordinator on Makerere side and our students who spend time with the Japanese students for the tremendous support they have given the programme. The programme is important and students have many stories to tell when they return to Tottori.
In CAES, the Principal noted that most of the staff tend to look at the United States as the choice for research yet there is potential in universities in the East such as in Japan and other Asian countries. Dr Kalema gave an update of the collaboration, that there are three students from Makerere in Tottori. One student had completed his masters and is the first year of his PhD studies, while the remaining two were soon completing the masters programmes.
Professor Bashaasha told the visitors that CAES was still interested in research with Tottori University in the area of medicinal plants. With the current hot weather we are experiencing in the country, he proposed writing a project proposal with National Agricultural Organisation and Tottori University concerning climate change and also research in the cattle corridor from Isingiro to Karamoja.
Makerere University is participating in the New Vision Education Expo 2023 to strengthen its niche as the leading provider of education services.
The three-day New Vision Expo (Friday 27th January 2023 to Sunday 29th January 2023) at the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT) Nakawa brings on board players in the education and business fields to forge partnerships to improve the quality and outcomes of education in Uganda.
Makerere University seeks to maximally utilize the three days to ensure that the participants at the Education Expo gain a deeper understanding of its 100 year journey of providing excellent services to humanity through academic programmes, services offered and ongoing efforts aimed at producing employable graduates as well as entrepreneurs.
Ms Joyce Muhanguzi, has a one-on-one session with visitors to the Makerere University exhibition space.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe highlights that Makerere University values stakeholder engagements and partnerships. “The New Vision Expo 2023 presents Makerere University with an opportunity to enhance stakeholder engagements. It is about consolidating the relationships with schools, prospective students and parents, and partners in the education sector. I applaud the CEO of Vision Group-Mr. Don Wanyama for coming up with the Education Expo.”
To respond to the information needs of stakeholders, Makerere University has lined up a team of experienced staff from the Department of the Academic Registrar, the Admissions Office, Public Relations Office, Career Guidance experts as well as the Institute of Open Distance and e-Learning (IODeL) under the College of Education and External Studies (CEES).
According to the Principal PRO of Makerere University Ms. Ritah Namisango, the Education Expo provides a platform to reach out to the clients that Makerere University exists to serve. “You must be in touch with your prospective parents, students as well as schools and partners that continue to recommend you as the leading university in the region. Makerere University has celebrated 100 years of excellent service to humanity (1922-2022). So, as we continue to promote the academic programmes, innovations and services that we offer, we are ready to listen, interact and learn from respective stakeholders about what they expect from the University as we embark on the next 100 years.”
Ms. Ritah Namisango (L) and Ms. Joyce Muhanguzi interact with members of the public.
The New Vision Expo 2023 is happening at an opportune (holiday) time, which accords the students, parents and guardians quality time to visit the exhibition and interact with experts in the education sector.
In addition, Makerere University has recently advertised its academic programmes and it is preparing to receive students for the Academic year 2023/2024. Sharing her experience about the interaction with participants who visited the Makerere University exhibition space, Ms Joyce Muhanguzi, Senior Assistant Registrar in the Department of the Academic Registrar noted that most of the prospective students and parents wanted to know about the academic programmes, the subject combinations that students should study to qualify to apply for the respective academic programmes, and the available admission avenues i.e. government sponsorship, private sponsorship, diploma entry, direct entry, national merit, talented sports entry and district quota programme).
Mr. Dennis Kibuuka (L) has a one-on-one session with a visitor to the Makerere University exhibition space.
Ms Joyce Muhanguzi and Mr. Dennis Kibuuka’s interaction focused on students who expressed their desire to join Makerere University in the coming years, and needed a case by case approach to their information needs, career guidance and linkages to Professors and Administrative staff in the respective Colleges at Makerere University.
The prospective students and parents also disclosed that in addition to the information on the Makerere University website, they welcome interactive and friendly approaches such as the New Vision Education Expo where they are presented with a golden opportunity to interact with Makerere University officials face-to-face.
At the New Vision Education Expo 2023, Makerere University joins other exhibitors that include; Government agencies, NGOs, Telecom companies, Banks, Insurance companies, Kindergartens/Daycare Centres, Primary and Secondary schools, Ugandan and Kenyan Universities, International schools, Study Abroad Agencies, Vocational institutions, Scholastic materials suppliers and SME service providers.
The 73rd Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University will be held from Monday 13th to Friday 17th February 2023 following the schedule below:
Monday, 13th February, 2023 College of Health Sciences (CHS) College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) School of Law (SoL)
Tuesday, 14th February, 2023 College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) College of Education and External Studies (CEES)
Wednesday, 15th February, 2023 College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS) College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security (CoVAB)
The program aims to improve graduates’ skills by placing them into selected partner industries for skills gain, facilitating the process and supervising placed interns. Graduates will be placed in their areas of study accordingly.
Time frame
The phased recruitment and placement will start from 1st December 2022 for a period of three months. Recent university graduates and those awaiting graduation should apply for this opportunity.
Eligibility
The project mainly focuses on university graduates from Makerere University (Mak), Makerere University Business School (MUBS) and Kyambogo University (KYU) who have undertaken the following courses
Bachelor of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Mgt.
Bachelor of Business Computing
Bachelor of Office and Information Mgt.
They should not be employed anywhere and should have gone through the traditional internship placement required by their respective universities.
How Students join
Interested university graduates shall submit an online application and contact the designated university contact or focal persons. Successful applicants will be required to complete the three (3) months internship pgoram uninterrupted to fully benefit from the program. Apply here: https://bit.ly/HEST2022
How companies participate
A company interested in hosting interns under the program can fill out an internship acceptance form and forward it to the internship placement officer.
Contacts of University focal persons
Makerere University (Mak) Dr. Christine Amito Tel: +256-771-321384 Email: amitoxtine@gmail.com
Makerere University Business School (MUBS) Ms. Christine Nantambi Tel: +256-772-654454/+256-703-878277 Email: cnantambi@mubs.ac.ug
Kyambogo University (KYU) Ms. Nandugwa Harriet Tel: +256-786030640 Email: hnandugwa@kyu.ac.ug
Contacts of IEED Project Team
Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) Ms. Mary Kaakyo, IEED Project Coordinator Email: mkaakyo@musph.ac.ug Tel: +256-706-960075
Makerere University School of Statistics and Planning (MakSSP) Ms. Afazali Zabibu, HEST Study Coordinator Email: zabibu.afazali@gmail.com Tel: +256-779-912365/+256-705-587072