General
Delegates from Institute for Security Studies inspired by Makerere University’s greatness and innovativeness
On 6th July 2018, Seventeen (17) delegates from the Institute of Security Studies Abuja, Nigeria visited Makerere University. The historical visit aimed at benchmarking the best practices of Makerere University as one of the premier and oldest Universities in Africa. The visit in line with deepening Uganda and Nigeria relations also focused on introducing the delegates to Makerere University’s research and innovation masterpieces in order to have a deeper understanding of the University as one of the leading institutions of higher learning.
In a Meeting with the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the team also discussed further collaborations between Makerere University and Institute of Security Studies that will culminate in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.
Prof. Nawangwe welcomed the delegates to Makerere University, a renowned hub of research and innovations. In a special way, he thanked the delegates for choosing to benchmark Makerere University during their visit.
“We are happy that you recognise the great work Makerere University is doing in nurturing, grooming and mentoring leaders. Choosing Makerere University as your benchmarking institution was the best decision ever. We welcome you to Makerere University and we shall be happy to positively influence your research prospects. Makerere University believes in partnerships and networks. We are therefore looking forward to collaborating with the Institute of Security Studies and many other universities in Nigeria,” he said.
The Head of Delegation, Mrs. Angela Oleseni appreciated the warm welcome the team received at Makerere University and thanked the Principals and other Makerere University Staff for leading the Delegates during their tour. She highly commended the great work Makerere University is doing in producing the best human resource capital as well as being the helm of research on the Africa continent.
“Our students who have studied here, have testified the standard and quality of this institution. We are happy that you have nurtured some of the Nigerian students and we humbly request that this kind of relationship continues,” she said.
During the historical visit, delegates toured Makerere University Agricultural Research Centre, Kabanyolo. Led by the Principal of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Prof. Bernard Bashaasha, the team was able to interact with Prof. Phinehas Tukamuhabwa, a plant breeder and the brain behind the breeding and development of new soybean variety that is resistant to soybean rust disease, harsh conditions, lodging and pod shuttering. The team also toured the Diary and the Coffee value chains.
At Makerere University Skilling and Incubation Centre- Nakyesasa which is under the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security, the delegates were welcomed by the Principal Prof. David Kabasa. They visited the feeds farm and the feed processing area; the leather and the dairy processing industries. Prof. David Kabasa who is also the Principal Investigator of AFRISA, introduced the delegates to the Household Economic Transformation Initiative (HETI); a mobile training unit that is ready to take Makerere University to the community.
“This mobile training unit helps the institution to provide the missing link between traditional and Morden ways of attaining skills. With HETI, the university is able to interact with the community in a formal setting with trainers and organised classes where knowledge is perforated to community members,” he said.
From Makerere University Skilling and Incubation Centre- Nakyesasa, delegates also visited the College of Natural Sciences. They were recievedd by the Principal of the College represented by the Deputy Principal, Prof. Fredrick Muyodi and introduced the delegates to the College.
In a presentation, the Director Quality Assurance Dr. Vincent Ssembatya highlighted the Makerere University strategic goals and research agenda. His presentation was backed by a brief on Makerere University objectivies by the Deputy Registrar (Undergraduate Admissions and Records Division) Mr. Charles Ssentongo and the Principal of College of Business and Management Sciences Dr. Eria Hisali.
The Institute of Security Studies was established in 2004 and registered under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, as an independent, non-governmental, non-for-profit professional organization. Its main objective is to provide a forum for security and safety practitioners in both the private and public sectors to exchange ideas and share experience in the art and science of security. Since its establishment, it has developed considerable both in size and stature and achieves an influential status in security education. The institute was established to undertake research, teaching & professional training in the study of public disorder, crime control and prevention, security and risk, crises and disaster.
Article by Mak Public Relations Office.
General
Makerere University and Xiangtan University Advance Strategic Partnership in Chemical Engineering
Makerere University and Xiangtan University are set to update their close to 20-year academic partnership, with a new focus on launching a joint Master’s degree program in Chemical Engineering and expanding student and staff exchange initiatives.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a recent visit by a delegation from Xiangtan University to Makerere University headed by Professor Dingyu Ou, in the company of Mr. Tang Fei and Professor Gilbert Gumshabe, the Chinese and Ugandan Directors of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University respectively.
While addressing the delegation, Professor Nawangwe highlighted that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to diversify academic offerings and contribute to national development through training in Chemical Engineering. Through this new initiative, the University will better prepare graduates for the petrochemical industry and support the country’s industrial growth.
The Vice Chancellor appreciated that the proposed collaboration aims to address Uganda’s growing need for industrial expertise, particularly as the country develops its petroleum sector. The two universities here are working toward a 1+2 training model, which will enable Makerere students to gain practical experience and access advanced laboratory facilities at Xiangtan University.
Professor Nawangwe further reiterated that “our relationship with the people of China, not just for Makerere but also for a big part of Uganda, has been opened wider by the establishment of the Confucius Institute, considering that many other collaborations like one being discussed now have come through this collaboration.”
The head of the Xiangtan delegation, Professor Dingyu Ou, expressed appreciation for the meeting, and acknowledged the history between the institutions. “As mentioned, we have a very long relationship and a very stable friendship between our two universities.”
Professor Ou extended appreciation for the support provided to the Confucius Institute at Makerere, the care shown to his colleagues, and looked forward to the successful start of the Chemical Engineering collaboration.
Assuring the delegation of Makerere’s readiness for the collaboration, Ms. Hawa Ndagire Kajumba the Lead, Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement, Makerere University Advancement Office, aligned with the Vice Chancellor’s emphasis of University goal to have both theory and practice imparted to the students.
She said “the curriculum of the university and Uganda as a whole is moving towards competence-based education training to ensure students are equipped to demonstrate those skills in the actual field, particularly regarding petroleum exploration.”
Ms. Ndagire Kajumba also emphasised a shift in strategy for the partnership office, saying, “we are moving away from just signing MOUs that collect dust, and moving towards those that are more collaborative to benefit our faculty and students, just like this one.”
Professor Gilbert Kumushabe aligned his remarks with those of the Vice Chancellor and Ms. Ndagire Kajumba, and described the method used at Xiangtan University as “actually competence-based teaching.”
Based on his recent visit, Prof. Gumoshabe shared that students in China are divided into groups with dedicated teachers to perform practical, hands-on work beyond the theoretical lecturers. He expressed gladness that the same was being adopted for the Ugandan context.
Both institutions are now working to finalise the specific agreements for the joint degree and exchange programs. Beyond academic training, the collaboration will advance cultural and professional exchange.
-
General1 week agoTimothy Khabusi: From Barefoot Walks to shaping Uganda’s Eye health Future
-
Health1 week agoUganda’s HIV Treatment Gains Bring the Youth Gap into Focus
-
Agriculture & Environment1 week agoMakerere University Welcomes 50 Youth Skilling Program trainees under the Africa Climate Collaborative, Supported by Mastercard Foundation
-
Health2 weeks agoMakSPH reseachers calls for health data to be used in decisions
-
Health2 weeks agoUPHIA 2025 Shows Uganda’s HIV Status Awareness Gap Despite Strong Treatment Outcomes