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MUII celebrates 10 years of partnership in research and capacity building

Published

3 years ago

February 7, 2018

(L-R) Prof. Livingstone Luboobi, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and Dr Samuel Ikwaras Okware at the MUII Plus Scientific Symposium, 7th February 2018, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda

On Wednesday 7th February 2018, the Makerere University–Uganda Virus Research Institute centre of Excellence of Infectious and Immunity Research and Training organised a symposium to celebrate the successful 10 years of hard work in capacity development and implementation of basic science, cutting edge technology and modern analytic methods to address health research needs in Uganda and the region.

Officially opened by the Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the symposium provided a platform to scientists to discuss the various solutions to the health issues that affect human capacity on the African continent.

The Makerere University–Uganda Virus Research Institute centre of Excellence of Infectious and Immunity Research and Training symposium was held as part of the general annual meeting. The Symposium brought together African institutions, African Scientists and global leaders in scientific research, and equal partners with international colleagues in conducting research to solve the health problems of Africa and the World.

The Centre of Excellence was launched in 2008 as a partnership between Uganda’s leading research institutions. To date the programme has supported Masters, PhDs, Post-Doctoral and research group leaders fellowships for 50 fellows as well as providing small grants for many centres members to foster training and collaboration regionally and internationally.

Addressing the participants, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe acknowledged the tremendous achievements realised by the Centre since its inception. According to him, the measures of success that have been reported in terms of further funding achieved and research papers published are striking, and demonstrate the contribution of the programme to scientific excellence, leadership and progress.

MUII is aligned to Makerere University’s motto “We build for the future” and to the University’s strategic focus to be a research led University. This partnership is contributing to educating the leaders of tomorrow, and to the transformation of the University. We value this initiative and congratulate MUII members on their achievements. We thank the Welcome Trust, the UK Department for International Development and NEPAD for this investment at our University, and AESA (the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa) at the African Academy of Sciences for management of the programme,” he said.

He applauded the former Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Livingstone Luboobi who signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health that recognised the historically close training and research partnership between Makerere University and UVRI, the two premier Ugandan institutions in academia and health research respectively.

The MoU signed by the two institutions formalised the partnership, and strengthened the emerging MUII initiative to work closely. This enabled MUII to support important developments first at the College of Health Sciences, and also in the Colleges of Natural Sciences, Veterinary Medicine and others. Prof. Luboobi also played an instrumental role in the nurturing of Bioinformatics at Makerere University.

“We have undergraduates given internship placements at UVRI. Immunology graduate training and research has been strengthened at the University through the establishment of a state-of-the art immunology laboratory facility, an MSc graduate course in Immunology and Microbiology was established at the College of Health Sciences, and a new Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology has been launched with a MUII fellow as its leader,” he remarked.

Prof. Nawangwe was happy to note that several Makerere University workshops have been held in the key disciplines of immunology and bioinformatics at the Uganda Virus Research Institute and UVRI research infrastructure for bioinformatics and immunology has been made accessible to Makerere University scientists. He thanked the international and regional partners, particularly the University of Cambridge, and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine for the support they have rendered to MUII to ensure that it fulfils its objectives.

The Director, MUII-PLUS Prof. Alison Elliot remarked that the symposium provides an opportunity to scientific researchers around the world to get together and share scientific research ideas that have benefitted and developed the country’s health sector as well as the continent. She recognised the tremendous achievements realised by the centre in health research and developments and urged the institutions involved to continue supporting the centre in the journey of achieving a better health service.

“That Great strides in research and training capacity are being made at both institutions with MUII alumni and fellows taking up positions of leadership as Deans and Heads of Departments at the University. Makerere University graduate students are given access to specialised laboratory equipment at UVRI, and dissertation co-supervision at UVRI, and we have academic scholarly benefits from honorary appointments of UVRI staff to college departments,” he said.

Reiterating the importance of the Centre, The Director of Uganda Virus Research Institute Prof. Pontiano Kaleebu, said that with both financial and infrastructural support at the centre, scientific researchers have embarked on a journey of strengthening infection control in the country. He emphasised the importance of research as the solution to the health problems that have long affected people in the world.

“Research should be community responsive, it should be used to inform policies and research findings should be integrated in our strategies that are developed to deliver health services in our communities. As we discuss the common diseases that affect our health, we should take it as an opportunity to improve our health and research,” he said.

Prof. Abdoulaye Djimde, the Director, DELGEME at University of Science, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Mali delivered a key note address on Malaria genetics. The day’s presentations focused on Trypanosomiasis, Helminths and metabolism, emerging and re-emerging of infectious diseases, HIV and Tuberculosis, Maternal neonatal and reproductive health.

Article by Mak Public Relations Office

General

WHS Regional Meeting Africa 2021: Finance Chairperson’s Update

Published

16 hours ago

June 18, 2021

Mark Wamai

Prof. Tonny J. Oyana, Finance Chairperson, World Health Summit Regional Meeting Africa, June 2021.

SOPs: Our plan is to have 200 sets of people in different spacious rooms…
Prof. Tonny j. oyana, finance chairperson whs regional meeting africa

We are sincerely grateful to our sponsors…

Over 15 core sponsors…

Sessions: 60% Virtual, 40% Onsite…

General

HERS-EA Fourth Leadership Academy

Published

24 hours ago

June 18, 2021

Mark Wamai

Facilitators and Participants of the HERS-EA Third Academy pose for a group photo at the closing ceremony on 5th July 2019, Grand Global Hotel, Kampala Uganda.

The Higher Education Resource Services-East Africa (HERS-EA) provides an intensive residential one-week leadership and management development curriculum focused on women, mainly in higher education institutions and administration.

In response to the current Covid-19 pandemic, HERS-EA Fourth Academy will be a totally virtual one. As such, the Academy previously scheduled to take place between June 28th – July 3rd has been postponed by one week to July 5th-9th.

Theme: “Positioning Women for Leadership in Higher Education”

A. Institutional Development

1. Managing and Leading Change

2. Reframing Organizations for effective work

3. Developing Effective Partnerships in Higher Education for Women and gender focused advancement

B. Personal Development

4. Career Mapping/building dossier/personal development

5. Professional Women’s economic empowerment through Enterprise development and management for profit maximization

6. Research and Publishing; Leadership and Fundraising for projects including research and publication.

C. Networking

7. The Power of Mentoring; Networking

Who Should Attend?

HERS-EA expects many diverse and dynamic women leaders to attend the ACADEMY, to share and learn from multiple institutional perspectives with guidance from women with a wealth of experience in higher education, national academic organizations, government and non- governmental organizations. Participants are expected hold mid to senior-level positions and bring expertise from all parts of a college or university. They also represent a range of national groups, ages and years of experience in higher education and other fields.

Applying to the ACADEMY:

The deadline for registration has also been extended to June 30th. For more information regarding registration, please visit the website: www.hersea.org Completed registration forms should be emailed, with a scanned payment slip to: info@hersea.org, by 5.00 p.m. on Wednesday 30th June.

A complete application includes:
a) CV
b) A self-descriptive letter (not > 500 words) to include:

Current Title (e.g. Associate Professor of Economics; Deputy Dean, e. t. c.)
Name and Contact Information for 2 Recommenders (e.g. Vice Chancellor, Head of Department, Chief Officer in your area, and/or direct supervisor)
Short- and long-term career goals
Your expectations for the HERS-EA ACADEMY.

c) Passport size photograph
d) A developmental project you have been assigned or you would like to initiate at your campus (maximum 500 words)
e) Registration fee of $100, please attach a copy of the deposit slip to your application (Bank A/C details below):

Contact Information

If you have any further questions, please email:
info[at]hersea.org or call the HERS-EA Administrator on: +256 (0)772082011 Please,also, visit the HERS-EA website for further updates: www.hersea.org.

Payment Bank Account Details:
Account Name: Higher Education Resource Service East Africa

HERS-EA US $ ACCOUNT
Name of Bank: DFCU Bank
Makerere University Branch
A/C No: 02083553153181
Swift Code: DFCUUGKA

HERS-EA UGX ACCOUNT
Name of Bank: DFCU Bank
Makerere University Branch
A/C No: 01083553153172

2021-HERS-EA-ACADEMY-Information Download

2021-Fourth-Academy-Registration-Form Download

General

Mak Commissions CoVAB@50 Celebrations, Awards Certificates

Published

2 days ago

June 17, 2021

Mark Wamai

The Vice Chancellor-Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (4th L), DVCAA-Dr. Umar Kakumba (5th L) and Principal CoVAB-Prof. J.D. Kabasa (3rd L) with L-R: Mr. Byakatonda Patrick, Mr. Alfred Masikye Namoah, Mr. Felix Okello, the Mace bearer and Dr. Samuel Majalija at the CoVAB@50 Celebrations Commissioning, 17th June 2021, Nakyesasa-Namulonge.

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.

*The Vice Chancellor-Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (L), Academic Registrar-Mr. Alfred Masikye Namoah (C) and the Principal CoVAB-Prof. John David Kabasa stand for the anthems.*

“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.”

*Awardees from the Mubende Incubation Hub raise their caps after virtually receiving their certificates in the blended ceremony on 17th June 2021. Photo credit: Kabaruli Twekambe/Team BOBOMAK*

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.

*Incoming Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation in the Office of the President, Dr. Monica Musenero addresses the congregation.*

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.

The Vice Chancellor-Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) receives graduation books of the cohorts from Director DIT, MoES-Mr. Byakatonda Patrick (C) and Deputy Commissioner Social Services Development, MoES-Madam Elizabeth Bateme (L).

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.

The Vice Chancellor-Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (C), flanked by DVCAA-Dr. Umar Kakumba (R) and the Principal CoVAB-Prof. John David Kabasa (L) commissions the SPEDA Training, Incubation and Research Centre-Nakyesasa on behalf of the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports-Hon. Janet Museveni on 17th June 2021.

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.