General

Dr. Lin Visits Mak, Seeks Institutional Collaboration

Published

4 years ago

October 5, 2017

Mark Wamai

L-R: Assoc. Prof. Eria Hisali, Dr. Jeff J.L. Lin, his wife Mrs. Mei Yvan and Mr. Goddy Muhumuza after the meeting on Thursday 5th October 2017, in the Office of the Vice Chancellor, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda

The former Chairman of the Uganda Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Jeff J.L. Lin and his wife Mrs. Mei Yvan have today Thursday, 5th October 2017 visited Makerere and tabled various opportunities of collaboration between the University and Taiwanese Institutions as well as the business community. They were met by the Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences-Assoc. Prof. Eria Hisali who stood in for the Vice Chancellor-Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, and the Acting Director of Legal Affairs-Mr. Goddy Muhumuza.

Welcoming Dr. Lin and his wife Mei, Assoc. Prof. Hisali shared a brief history of Makerere’s growth from a technical institution to the premier public university in the region that is ranked 4th on the African continent in terms of research and publications.

Dr. Lin appreciated Assoc. Prof. Hisali for according him audience and noted that although Taiwan had forged a number of relationships with institutions in North America and Europe, very little was known about other African institutions outside South Africa.

“Taiwanese Institutions are very good at the sciences especially medicine and biotechnology but are not very good when it comes to the social sciences and Internationalization. We know that Makerere is the leader in the region and we would therefore wish to explore opportunities of linking Taiwanese institutions to Makerere University especially in terms of staff and student exchanges” shared Dr. Lin.

Dr. Jeff J.L. Lin (L) and his wife Mrs. Mei Yvan (R) share on the prospects of collaboration during their visit to Makerere University on 5th October 2017

Dr. Lin further noted that although the population of Taiwan is currently estimated at 27million and it is only a seventh of the land area of Uganda, thanks to technology, the nation grows enough food for both domestic consumption and export. “With the right partnerships, Uganda can benefit a lot from Taiwan in terms of technological transfer in agriculture” he added.

Complementing her husband’s contribution, Mrs. Mei Yvan who has taught on voluntary basis in Ugandan institutions noted that she regularly received requests for student exchanges from friends in the Taiwanese academia which she often turned down owing to the absence of formal collaborations with Ugandan institutions. She therefore expressed hope that Makerere University would consider drafting an agreement that facilitates staff, student, cultural and language exchanges between institutions in the two countries. “The language of instruction in Taiwan is English so Ugandan students will find it very easy to learn and excel” she added.

In his response Assoc. Prof. Eria Hisali thanked Dr. Lin and his wife for their visit, noting that it was timely. “Your visit is in line with Makerere University’s four strategic directions of: Administrative and Financial Restructuring and Sustainability; Institutional and Human Resource Development; Rebranding and Quality of service delivery; and Academic Reform.

“In addition to staff and student exchanges as well as research collaboration, Makerere is also seeking to develop her prime land off campus for example in Makindye, and also turn the Guest House into a three-star hotel. We therefore look forward to a broad-based partnership that can take into consideration all these prospects” said Assoc. Prof. Hisali.

Mr. Goddy Muhumuza then took this opportunity to extend a vote of thanks to Dr. Lin and his wife who accorded the Ugandan delegation VIP treatment during the 29th Summer Universiade “Collegiate Olympics” held in Taipei, Taiwan from 19th to 30th August 2017. As a way of formalizing the collaboration between institutions in the two countries, Mr. Muhumuza then agreed draft a Memorandum of Understanding that makes the most of Dr. Lin and his wife’s dedication to selfless service and appreciation of Makerere’s academic and business prospects. Dr. Lin and his wife Mei already hold several business interests in Kampala’s leisure and hospitality sector.

Article by Public Relations Office

General

Veteran Professor changed Makerere and Higher Education

Published

19 hours ago

June 21, 2021

Mark Wamai

Professor Pancras John Mukasa Ssebuwufu (L) receives a plaque and citation from RUFORUM Board Member and Vice Chancellor Ndejje University-Professor Eriabu Lugujjo (Right) on 6th May 2021 at the RUFORUM Secretariat, Plot 155 Garden Hill, Makerere University Main Campus,

When Professor John Ssebuwufu ambled up to receive a certificate of recognition for his ‘exceptional’ contribution to higher education from the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) at Makerere University (MU), he was thinking of many things, such as rewarding staff, that he could have done differently to impact university education more.

But he did what he could have done, under the circumstances.

He presided over MU (in 1993) when student enrolment was 5,000 and left in 2004 when the population was surging to more than 15,000.

He emphasised the use of information communication technologies in almost all the institutions he had been involved in and sent many academic staff on exchanges to boost research and innovation. Now, more African universities engage in ground-breaking research.

So, he proceeded to accept his recognition and make his acceptance speech, which was mostly about gratitude.

Ssebuwufu, 74, who is currently the chancellor at Kyambogo University and the vice-chancellor of the University of Kisubi, is credited for his exemplary leadership and pragmatic methods that have shaped higher education in Uganda and Africa as a whole.

General

Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program 2021/2022

Published

20 hours ago

June 21, 2021

Mark Wamai

Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program 2021/2022. Photo credit: AfDB

The Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program is a capacity building project by the AfDB and Japan which was initiated in 2017 with the aim of providing two-year scholarship awards to highly achieving African graduate students to enable them to undergo post-graduate studies (i.e. a two-year Master’s degree program) in selected priority development areas on the continent and Japan. The overarching goal the AfDB and the Government of Japan seek to attain is to enhance skills and human resources development in Africa in under the Bank’s High 5s agenda (i.e. “Feed Africa”, “Light up Africa”, “Industrialize Africa”, “Integrate Africa” and “Improve the quality of life of the people of Africa”) and key Japanese development assistance initiatives. JADS core areas of study focus include energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, and engineering. The program also seeks to promote inter-university collaboration and university-industry partnerships between Japan and Africa. Upon completion of their studies, the JADS scholars are expected to return to their home countries to apply and disseminate their newly acquired knowledge and skills in the public and private sectors, and contribute to national and continental socio-economic development.

About the JADS program

The JADS Program is open to applicants from AfDB member countries with relevant professional experience and a history of supporting their countries’ development efforts who are applying to a graduate degree program in energy development and related discipline. The program does not provide scholarships to any other graduate degree program.

The scholarship program provides tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and travel allowance.

Upon completion of their studies, the beneficiary scholars are expected to return to their home countries to apply and disseminate their newly acquired knowledge and skills, and contribute to the promotion of sustainable development of their countries.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

The program is open to those who have gained admission to an approved Masters degree course at a Japanese partner university. Candidates should be 35 years old or younger; in good health; with a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in the energy area or related area; and have a superior academic record. Upon completion of their study programs, scholars are expected to return to their home country to contribute to its economic and social development.

Application Procedures

Applicant requests for information and application forms and procedures from the chosen JADS partner university. For any inquiries, please contact JADS@AFDB.ORG
Applicant completes required documents and sends them to the university.
University evaluates and selects applicants.
University sends selected candidates to the AfDB.
AfDB reviews submissions from universities, prepares and approves the final list.
AfDB contacts selected awardees, and informs the universities.