General
Prof. Francesco Bernini visits Mak: praises the Institution for its commendable work in research
On 5th March 2018, the Rector of University of Bologna Prof. Francesco Bernini paid a courtesy call to the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe. Accompanied by the Vice Rector for International Relations Professor Alessandra Scagliarini, the Rector praised Makerere University for its commendable work in research that has provided a platform for international recognition.
During an extensive meeting that was attended by the International Relations Officer Ms. Martha Muwanguzi and Makerere University Public Relations Team, the Rector together with his Vice Professor Alessandra Scagliarini and the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe discussed the possible ways the two Universities can strengthen their relationship to develop research in the field of engineering, medicine and veterinary.
“We have been following the Makerere University’s work through contacts and publications and I would like to say we are impressed with your extensive research in the areas of engineering, medicine and veterinary. I am therefore very sure that strengthening our collaborations will provide a lee for the two universities to share knowledge, information and ideas,” he said.
He commended Makerere University for utilizing the Erasmus Plus opportunities to build capacity among staff and students as well as securing funds to develop the institution academically through investing in research and writing. He looked forward to a Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Bologna and Makerere University that will see more developments between the two universities.
The Vice Rector for International Relations University of Bologna Professor Alessandra Scagliarini acknowledged Makerere University move to globalise its system and join other universities around the world to find solutions to both local and international problems. She applauded the Government of Uganda for its instrumental programs that have created a conducive environment for refugees.
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University welcomed the Rector and his Vice to Makerere University, the incubator of Africa’s research. He appreciated the University’s move to strengthen the long term relationship between Makerere University and the Government of Italy when he said, “the Italian Government was so instrumental when we were developing our then engineering faculty, it supported us through capacity building, renovated our laboratories and sent professors to train our staff and students. We have made several collaborations with different universities and institutions from Italy in the areas of science, humanities and research. We are therefore looking forward to a strong relationship that will place the engineering plus veterinary medicine programs to a new level.”
Established in 1088, the University of Bologna is the oldest university in the western world, founded by students for students, when masters of grammar, rhetoric and logic began to devote themselves to law. Its earliest recorded scholar was a man named Irnerius, who catalogued Roman legal materials. Other early students included 12th century Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, and astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. Other notable alumni include the poet Dante and former Italian Prime Minister, Romano Prodi.
Between the 12th and 13th centuries, a woman named Bettisia Gozzadini reputedly taught at the University, attracting crowds that were so big and her lessons had to be held in the city’s public squares. Today, with a community of more than 85,000 students, the University is among the largest in Italy, offering 200 degree programmes and two-year specialised courses across 33 departments and 11 schools. It is a multi-campus institution with sites across northern Italy in Cesena, Forli, Ravenna and Rimini, as well as Bologna. It has an overseas campus in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which offers interdisciplinary programmes.
Article by: Nabatte Proscovia , Mak Public Relations Office
Photos by : Elias Tuhereze , Mak Public Relations Office
By Moses Lutaaya
The Directorate of Graduate Training (DGT) has in collaboration with Centre for Teaching and Learning completed the training of the first cohort of Graduate Supervisors.
Participants were academic staff from two colleges namely, College of Engineering, Art and Design (CEDAT) and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES).
The three-day training that took place at the Telepresence Centre, Senate Building ended on Friday 20thJune 2025.
In his closing remarks to the participants, the Director of Graduate Training Prof. Julius Kikooma said, “This is the first cohort we are working together with the Center for Teaching and Learning to put together continuous professional development Program so that we are able to enforce the new teaching and learning policy.”
He said that before lecturers are allocated students for supervision, they must first go through this form of formal teaching and learning training to equip them thoroughly with certification required of supervision of graduate students.
“We are coming up with process to ensure that the certificates earned by participants allow you to supervise graduate students. This is the direction of the university and we must ensure that such trainings are concluded and completed successfully by all participants”, Prof. Kikooma.
“We can only have you certified upon completing all the exercises in the training process. This is when you will be eligible to receive the work load for supervision”, He added.
“This training of Supervisors is going to be continuous so that all academic staff in colleges and schools are equipped. This first cohort is going to be our building block to the future trainings in the colleges.”
With such capacity building trainings, Prof. Kikooma said that the university is on the right path to achieving its targets in the new strategic plan of increasing the number of graduate students while progressively reducing the under graduate students.
He further hinted that, “We are in the process of writing a curriculum on this, which will be presented for approval before it is rolled out.”
He echoed all participants to share the knowledge they have acquired adding, “Share all you have learnt, do not keep it. Be open minded, have proper communication channels and the sky will be the limit for you.”
Dr. Robinah N. Kulabako, The Head of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at CEDAT welcomed the training adding, “This training is very pertinent. I have had the opportunity to supervise Masters and PhD students for over 15 years and I must say that the need to be subjected to this training cannot be over emphasized because there is need to learn, unlearn and relearn many aspects involved in the supervision process.”
She added, “We are moving towards knowledge-based supervision rather than experience-based supervision. This means we must be informed and equipped to be able to advise, guide and mentor to be able to lead a successful supervision journey for both supervisor and supervisee.”
Dr. Andrew Gilbert Were – a lecturer at CEDAT and a participant said, “It is important that all supervisors of graduate students receive this certification from Makerere University through a systematic training process that enables them to attain diverse skills to facilitate learning of graduate students from diverse cultures and with unique set of circumstances.”
“This training is long overdue. In fact, it was an oversight that we could be allowed to supervise students without undergoing supervisors’ training.”
Dr. Dorothy Ssebowa, The Director Centre for Teaching and Learning support- CEES said, “The training this time round has had a mix of early career professionals including Lecturers, Supervisors and Professors share experiences. We have learnt a lot more from experienced supervisors who have shared practices on how they have done supervision over the years.”
“The knowledge and experience-based approaches have made this collaboration very active, interactive and learner centered which has resulted into a collaborative learning from the interdisciplinarity of staff from CEDAT and CAES. The issue now is to continue with professional development across all levels.” She added.
The Makerere University Directorate of Graduate Training (DGT) in collaboration with the Centre for Teaching and Learning completed the training of the first cohort of Graduate Supervisors. This activity was supported by the iCARTA – Institutionalization of Advanced Research Training in Africa, a NORHED II Project at Makerere University.
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