On 28th March 2018, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe represented by the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance & Administration)-DVCFA, Prof. William Bazeyo officiated at the closing ceremony of the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) PhD Joint Advanced Seminars (JAS) 1 and 4 that have been running at the ResilientAfrica Network (RAN), School of Public Health (SPH), Kololo, for the last 4 weeks from 5th to 28th March 2018.

At the Closing Dinner held at Piato Restaurant,  we received excellent feedback from the 60 PhD Fellows from partner institutions including; University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) Kenya,  Makerere University, University of Nairobi, Moi University, University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Rwanda, University of Malawi and Ifakara Health Institute. In their valedictory speeches, the Fellows expressed their gratitude to Makerere University for the high level of scholarship, environment conducive for learning and quality educational resources provided to them.

CARTA, a collaboration jointly led by the APHRC Kenya and Wits, South Africa. CARTA was formed to support the development of a vibrant African academy able to lead world-class multidisciplinary research that impacts positively on public and population health. CARTA enhances the capacity of African universities to create sustainable multidisciplinary research hubs by supporting junior faculty members to undertake their doctoral training locally and to become internationally recognized research leaders. CARTA therefore strengths university wide systems to support research.

During the ceremony, we congratulated the Fellows upon completing JAS 1 and 4, awarded certificates to JAS 4 Fellows and bid them farewell as they returned to their home institutions. The dinner was also attended by: Prof Anne Katahoire, CARTA Focal Person for Makerere University; Assoc. Prof. Eria Hisali, Principal-College of Business and Management Studies (CoBAMS); Prof Buyinza Mukadasi, Director, Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT) and several staff from RAN and SPH.

A number of Makerere University Staff have attained their PhDs with CARTA funding. These include: Dr. Drago Kato; Dr. Andrew Tamale; Dr. Tumwiine Gabriel-College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) and Dr. Stephen Wandera (CoBAMS). Many others are yet to complete their PhDs and these include: Mr. Godwin Anywar-College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS); Mr. Fred Maniragaba (CoBAMS) among others. Dr. Kasozi from CoNAS has always played a critical coordination role.

On the basis of Makerere’s exemplary research training environment, the CARTA Board has approved and entrusted the University with the responsibility of hosting the JAS for the next two years (2019 & 2020), which is a big stamp of approval upon our academic and research excellence. The University Management is grateful to Prof. Anne Katahoire for championing and sustaining Makerere's interest in the consortium.

Article by Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, Director DRGT