H.E Stéphanie Rivoal, the Ambassador of France to Uganda paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe this morning in his office. She was accompanied by Ms Clotilde Bruter, the Cooperation Attaché for the French Language.

Her Excellency congratulated the Professor Nawangwe on his appointment as the Vice Chancellor of the great institution. Professor Nawangwe welcomed her to the University and said, Makerere is currently ranked 4th in Africa’s top universities.

The purpose of the visit was twofold; one to introduce herself to the new leadership of the University and secondly, introduce the Campus France Desk in Makerere University. The Embassy of France in Uganda is willing to enhance the opportunities of Ugandan students by providing them a quality guiding service in their interest to study in France. She went on to say that, Campus France is the French national agency that aims to promote higher education and international mobility in more than 80 countries. We are planning to start small to demonstrate the relationship between the two countries and inform Ugandans about available opportunities in France. The French language is widely spoken as an international language and many organisations and companies now use it in business and education sectors. There are many masters and postgraduate programmes now offered in English which Ugandan students can apply for and get admission and while in France, they can learn the French language too. Studying in France is cheaper than studying in the United States or the UK.

The French government will assist the Ugandan students by providing free medical insurance services as well as cater for their accommodation in France. There other higher degrees such as Marketing for Diplomats where they can acquire technical skills of marketing their countries and products, look for trade partners as well as internship placements for Uganda graduates  in French companies.

As a public and highest institution of learning, Her Excellency appealed to the Vice Chancellor to provide space for this initiative in the International Office. Many Ugandans studied in France and can temporarily be resource persons of presenting to the Ugandan public what is offered in French Universities and other available opportunities. Ms Bruter, the Cooperation Attaché for the French Language will also be available on given days for consultations with a ready computer purposed for this. The Embassy will finance this Desk in addition to other French companies in Uganda that will want to advertise employment positions to Ugandan students.

The Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe thanked Her Excellency for this saying he had a lot of interest in French projects and programmes having done a public presentation for Architecture on behalf of the French Embassy. He pledged his support for this project. He suggested a ‘French Corner’ in the Main Library to publicize French activities through magazines, recorded educational speeches, newspapers, pamphlets, fliers, radio and TV talk shows.  It is important that academicians particularly professors and lecturers know both languages that may be required in international conferences and seminars. It would be good to launch the French Corner in the Main Library together with Campus France Desk in the International Office in one grand occasion.

Her Excellency was glad to hear that the Vice Chancellor loves France and that the Franco feeling is present in Uganda.  The level of interest in cooperating with Uganda is rising steadily on the French side more so in the area of higher education.  The general public will be informed of places for learning French and engaging in French activities and hopes that a “French Moment” will be launched next year.

A Memorandum of Understanding for establishing a Campus France Desk in Makerere University was signed between Her Excellency Stéphanie Rivoal on behalf of the French Embassy and the Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe on behalf of the University. This was witnessed by the Acting Director, Legal Affairs, Mr. Goddy Muhumuza, the International Relations Officer, Ms Martha Muwanguzi and the Cooperation Attaché of the French Embassy, Ms Clotilde Bruter.

Article by Martha L. Muwanguzi International Office