Makerere University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Shijiazhuang Tiedao University (STDU), China, aimed at strengthening Uganda’s infrastructure development and transport technology capacity in the long run and facilitating student exchanges in the short run. The MoU was signed on behalf of Makerere by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and by Prof. Wang Yuesen, the Secretary to the Communist Party and Chancellor STDU, at a ceremony held on 6th February 2018 in the Office of the Vice Chancellor.

The MoU was facilitated by Deputy Head of Uganda’s Mission in Beijing, China, Amb. Henry Mayega. Speaking during the courtesy call that preceded the signing ceremony, Amb. Mayega noted that as an alumnus and former employee of Makerere University, he was inspired by the recent return of 10 Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF) Engineers from a three month course at STDU.

“STDU has a long history of collaborating with the military in China and so I viewed this training of UPDF Engineers as an opportunity to extend the same collaboration to Makerere University. I am sure that the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) will greatly benefit from this collaboration” said Amb. Mayega.

The training of UPDF engineers at STDU was facilitated by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), the firm set to construct the Ugandan leg of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR). Addressing the meeting, Prof. Wang Yuesen, who preferred to speak in Chinese as CHEC’s Wang Shu Hai translated, congratulated Prof. Nawangwe upon Makerere’s continued good performance in global academic rankings.

Prof. Wang said STDU prides itself in being one of the leading railway construction and management training institutions in the industry with a good working relationship with the Chinese Military. He therefore saw the visit as an opportunity to further extend this expertise to Makerere University, especially in the preparatory stages for the construction of the SGR.

The Chancellor said the collaboration was an opportunity for Makerere and STDU to undertake not only student exchanges but also joint research in the years to come. He shared that the Chinese Government values internationalisation and as such, almost two thirds of applicants who meet the entry requirements successfully secure scholarships. Prof. Wang then extended an invitation to Prof. Nawangwe, Amb. Mayega and other members of Management to visit STDU at the nearest opportune time.

In his remarks, Prof. Nawangwe thanked Prof. Wang for taking time off to visit Makerere University and attend the signing ceremony in person. He additionally thanked STDU for choosing to partner with Makerere, especially at a time when training of skilled manpower for SGR project is necessary.

“I thank the Chancellor, Prof. Wang for his kind invitation and we look forward to visiting Shijiazhuang Tiedao University. I also thank Ambassador Henry Mayega for initiating the collaboration and working with our Directorate of Legal Affairs (DLA) to ensure that the MoU was successfully drafted” added Prof. Nawangwe.

The courtesy call and signing ceremony was also attended by Prof. Henry Alinaitwe-Principal CEDAT, Mr. Goddy Muhumuza-Acting Director DLA, Mr. Gordon Murangira-PA to the Vice Chancellor and from STDU, Wang Xiao Ling and Fenghai Ping.

Article by Public Relations Office