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Mak-UC Berkeley-Pathfinder Set To Promote PHE Research & Policy in Uganda
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on Wednesday, 27th June 2018 held discussions with the University of California Berkeley (UC Berkeley)’s Dr. Robin Marsh and Pathfinder International Uganda’s Ms. Nakajubi Jackline on the possibility of integrating the Population, Health and Environment (PHE) approach in Makerere University’s curricular, research and student projects. Dr. Marsh is a Senior Researcher/Socio-Economist with the Institute for the Study of Societal Issues (ISSI), UC Berkeley while Ms. Nakajubi is Pathfinder’s Health of People and Environment in the Lake Victoria Basin (HoPE LVB) Project Coordinator.
Giving a preamble to the discussion, The Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Dr. Eria Hisali noted that the work currently being done by UC Berkely and Pathfinder under the PHE HoPE-LVB project in Mayuge and Wakiso Districts is important to Uganda and as such would greatly benefit students and the community when integrated into the Makerere curriculum.
“We have deliberated on to the possibility integrating PHE into our graduate programmes in a phased approach. PHE is a very multidisciplinary as it touches on Public Health, Gender Studies, Environment, Statistics, Environmental Health, One Health among others” said Dr. Hisali.
He therefore thanked Dr. Marsh and Ms. Nakajubi for reaching out to Makerere University and hoped that the PHE integration would receive the full support of Senate and Management.
Speaking as a socio-economist with over 25 years of experience with a keen interest in how agriculture interacts with the environment, gender equality and reproductive health, Dr. Marsh thanked the Vice Chancellor and staff present for sparing time to discuss the proposed intiative.
“I have taught in the field of Population, Environment and Development at UC Berkeley's College of Natural Resources for over fourteen years. I also coordinate our PHE work in East Africa, supported by Pathfinder International under which we run student practicums for graduate students” Dr. Marsh shared.
She added that the student practicums offer UC Berkeley students the opportunity to work with peers from Makerere University and the University of Dar-es-Saaam, “which enhances two-way learning as the students support each other on ongoing research projects.”
To facilitate PHE integration into the curriculum, Dr. Marsh shared that a two-day Interdisciplinary Faculty Workshop is being proposed for early November; so as to coincide with the International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP) scheduled to take place from 12th to 15th November in Kigali, Rwanda. The proposed workshop will give faculty the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the PHE conceptual framework and current projects, as well as review the curricula of existing courses with the intent of incorporating PHE content.
At the country level, the National PHE Strategy has already been drafted and is expected to be approved this year, with the Ministry of East African Community Affairs as the host and coordinating body, taking into consideration the importance of Lake Victoria to the EAC member countries. Ms. Nakajubi further shared that Pathfinder International Uganda and its partners would work with the National Population Council (NPC) as the lead technical agency to help implement the strategy.
In his remarks, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe welcomed Dr. Marsh and Ms. Nakajubi to Makerere University and thanked them for sharing their proposal. “This is a very wonderful initiative especially as Population, Health and Environment issues deeply impact every single Ugandan community.”
Citing recent reports that put Uganda’s population estimate at 100million by 2030, Prof. Nawangwe expressed fear that this was a disaster waiting to happen unless measures were taken to adequately plan for increased food production and health provision, especially in the wake of climate change and increasing incidences of diseases such as ebola.
“The rate at which the current population is destroying the environment is alarming! As the population increases, this can only get worse. On the PHE front, almost every discipline in the University has a role to play and as such, Makerere, through the Department of Population Studies would love to take lead in making a contribution” remarked Prof. Nawangwe before reassuring the team of the University Management’s full support for the initiative.
The meeting was attended by the Dean School of Women and Gender Studies-Dr. Sarah Ssali, Head Department of Population Studies-Dr. Cyprian Misinde and Mr. Mfitumukiza David, Climate Adaptation Specialist, Makerere University Centre for Climate Change Research and Innovations (MUCCRI),
Article by Public Relations Office
General
Prof. Nawangwe urges Makerere University community to support the Mastercard Foundation E-learning Initiative
By Bernard Buteera
Makerere University has launched a two million dollar E-learning Project, dubbed The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program E-learning initiative.
The launch was held on Tuesday 20th September 2022 at Makerere University, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium. It attracted over 200 participants, who included members of University Management, College Principals, School Deans, Academic and Administrative staff, students and the general university community.
While addressing the gathering, the Chief Guest, Prof. Mary Okwakol, the Executive Director of National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), congratulated Makerere University for winning such a huge grant, which will go a long way in transforming the eLearning infrastructure at Makerere University.
“I am happy to be joining you in launching a project that is at the heart of National Council for Higher Education. Online learning is at the heart of the Council, not only because of the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, but also the world is now a digital world.” Prof. Okwakol remarked.
Prof. Okwakol thanked Mastercard Foundation and other development partners who have continued to support initiatives that help transform higher institutions of learning in Uganda.
“I sincerely thank the Mastercard Foundation and other partners who have continued to support higher education in Uganda, especially in the area of research and online learning. Globally, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, greatly disrupted education systems forcing learners and some schools to shift to virtual learning to curb the spread of the pandemic.” Prof. Okwakol pointed out.
On his part, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe urged the university community, especially the academic staff to take advantage of the Mastercard Foundation E-learning initiative to develop e-content across all Colleges of the University, to enhance capacity for eLearning at Makerere University.
”I appeal to the Colleges to embrace this project and have as many courses adopt this pedagogy development system, even though students will continue with face-to face and phyisical learning, they should be allowed the option of online learning. The platforms that are going to be built, will give our students an opportunity to interact with international students, scholars, teachers and with each other.” Prof. Nawangwe applealed.
The Vice Chancellor, further called upon all other development partners to emulate Mastercard Foundation in supporting Makerere University and other universities on the entire African continent in strengthening digital literacy, so that Africa is not left behind.
”In 2018 I attended a conference on E-learning in Beijing China, where a critical question was asked; Will Africa be left behind again? This was in reference to many advancements that were taking place in the western world, in which Africa had been left behind.” The Vice Chancellor reminded the audience.
Prof. Nawangwe further emphaised the importance of e-learning as one of the critical modes of teaching and learning in the 21st first century.
”Ladies and Gentlemen, I cannot over emphasise the importance we attach to e-learning the 21st Century, that is why we took a decision to elevate the Department of Open and Distance Learning into an Institute of Open and Distance E-learning with an intention of having e-learning extended to other Colleges of the university.” Prof. Nawangwe pointed out.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs, and Chairperson of the Steering Committee of the E-learning Initiative, Prof. Umar Kakumba, rallied the University community to support the implementation of the project in the University.
“The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program E-learning initiative could not have come in at a better time than post COVID19 era. A pandemic, which exposed our systems and methods of teaching and learning. You all recall, when were hit by the pandemic, with lockdowns and closures of institutions of learning, we all went into a panicky mode on how were going to cope with online learning. I therefore call upon every member of the university to give this project the support it deserves.
Prof. Kakumba reminded the audience the importance and relevancy of online learning at Makerere University and other universities in Uganda.
“The online method of learning is best suited for everyone. This digital revolution has led to remarkable changes in how the content is accessed, consumed, discussed, and shared. Office goers and stay home mothers can take up online educational courses too, at the time that suits them. Depending on their availability and comfort, many people choose to learn at weekends or evenings.” Prof. Kakumba remarked.
Prof. Paul Birevu Muyinda, the Coordinator of the Mastercard Foundation E-learning Initiative, informed the audience the importance of the project and the expected outcomes for the University.
“The Mastercard Foundation e- Learning Initiative is a Project funded by Mastercard Foundation aimed at addressing the negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic that constrained access and continuity of teaching, learning, research and community engagement activities at Makerere University” Prof. Muyinda pointed out.
Prof. Muyinda further thanked the team that he worked with in putting up the proposal in a very short time that yielded such an important grant for the University.
“I thank the team that spent sleepless nights putting together the proposal that resulted into this project. I must report that Makerere University is privileged to be having the most highly qualified persons in online instruction design and online pedagogy at the IODeL and beyond. It is now up to Makerere University in particular and the Country in general to make use of these persons to transform the terrain of online, blended distance and e-learning education.” Prof. Muyinda remarked.
Prof. Justine Namaalwa, the Program Coordinator for Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, informed the audience, that the E-learning initiative was one of the many partnerships between Mastercard Foundation and Makerere University geared at supporting the young people to succeed on the African continent.
“The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program continues to recognize that in order to enable young people across Africa to succeed, there is need to; Address systemic barriers in Higher education, Strengthen the capacity of Institutions that serve the Young People, and Support innovative solutions across critical sectors.” Prof. Namaalwa remarked.
The colourful launch ended with a panel discussion in which panelists digested the importance and opportunities for open distance and eLearning in higher institutions of learning.
Bernard Buteera is the Communications Officer of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.
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