General
First session of the Pedagogical Skills Training ends: participants awarded certificates
The first session of the Pedagogical Skills Training for Makerere University Assistant Lectures has successfully ended with 35 participants from the College of Natural Sciences, College of Computing and Information Sciences, and the College of Business and Management Sciences awarded certificates.
The certificates were handed over to participants by the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. Ernest Okello Ogwang; at the closing ceremony of the first session of the training that was held on 25th July 2018 at Telepresence Centre.
Dr. Okello Ogwang congratulated the participants upon finishing the training successfully. He encouraged them to utilize the available training opportunities to increase their knowledge base and widen their understanding.
“Such trainings are good since they improve our networking, skills and experience. Learning is a continuous process. As teachers, it is our own responsibility to expand our knowledge base through learning, teaching and research. the more we learn, the better we become when interacting with our students. Let us build a strong information base that will help us in delivering good services to our clients,” he remarked.
The Pedagogical Skills Training for Makerere University Assistant Lecturers was officially opened on 23rd July 2018, with 35 participants from the College of Natural Sciences, College of Computing and Information Sciences and the College of Business and Management sciences undertaking the first session. The first session ran from 23rd -25th July 2018.
According to the Director Humana Resources- Mr. Andrew Abunyang, the Pedagogical Skills Training is expected to end in March 2019, with over 300, participants trained. “We have restructured this training in a way that, we shall have a session every after two weeks. In each session we expect 35 participants from the selected Colleges to undertake the training for three days,” he explained.
He congratulated the participants upon finishing the training and assured members of the second session that will be starting on 6th August 2018.
On behalf of the participants, Mr Edward Musoke, an Assistant Lecturer at the College of Computing and Information Sciences, appreciated facilitators for the knowledgeable, informative and remarkable training sessions. He thanked Makerere University Management, the Directorate of Human Resources and the College of Education and External Studies for organising the training that has enabled participants realise the need to revise their teaching skills and align them with the current needs of students and society.
“We are grateful for the knowledge and skills we have gained in these three days. The sessions were so informative; we have refreshed our minds to understand our call as teachers. I believe that we have been well equipped with the capacity to take our students through their academic journey in a manner that will help them succeed in their careers. We are very positive that, with this training we are ready to take the University at greater heights and we pledge to take forward the knowledge gained to improve our career and ensure quality education at Institutions of Higher Learning.,” said Mr. Edward Musoke, on behalf of the participants.
The Principle of College of Education and External Studies Prof. Fred Masagaazi Masaazi thanked the Directorate of Human Resources and the College of Education and External Studies for organising training that is ready to equip Lecturers with skills and techniques that will enhance their teaching abilities.
Article by: Racheal Kanyi and Pauline Angom- Volunteers, Public Relations Office
General
UNDP and Mak Launch Daycare Centre and Multimedia Studio to Boost Gender Equality and Digital Inclusion
Makerere University, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Uganda, has launched two transformative facilities, a Daycare and Breastfeeding Centre at the Institute of Gender and Development Studies (IGDS), and a state-of-the-art Multimedia Studio at the Frank Kalimuzo Central Teaching Facility. These facilities mark a major milestone in the University’s commitment to gender equality, student and staff welfare, and digital innovation in higher education.
A Milestone for Gender Equality: Daycare and Breastfeeding Centre
Mr. Ian King, the Ag. Resident Representative, UNDP Uganda, speaking at launch of the Daycare and Breastfeeding Centre emphasized the importance of the Gender Equality Seal (GES) initiative, funded by the European Union (EU). He applauded the Institute for being the first in Africa to participate in the GES.
Mr. King highlighted the role of the facility to mothers and some fathers in ensuring children’s safety and peace of mind for parents. He further commended the Institute for demonstrating what can be achieved through the programme. He stressed the importance of setting high standards for child care centres and making spaces safe for young parents. The Daycare centre is intended to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children and relief for mothers and fathers to focus on their work and studies.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor, noted that the centre will be crucial in supporting breastfeeding mothers—particularly students and staff—to continue their academic and professional pursuits. Recalling a time when women were barely represented in the University Senate, he acknowledged the significant strides Makerere has made, while also noting ongoing gaps in graduate gender equity.
“The majority of graduates are women, but there are still issues of equity at the graduate level. I think there are still issues that we must solve, and one of them is helping mothers who are students and members of staff to continue with what they do, even when they have got babies to look after because that’s one of the reasons, I think, why many students drop out just because they become mothers,” he added.
He acknowledged that the facility will come in handy for addressing challenges, including balancing motherhood with academic or professional responsibilities. He extended appreciation to UNDP for their long-standing partnership in transforming Makerere into a more inclusive and modern academic institution.
The Head of the Institute of Gender and Development Studies (IGDS), Prof. Sarah Ssali, in her remarks, thanked the Vice Chancellor who catered for the Daycare Centre while designing the building. Prof. Ssali highlighted that the Daycare describes Makerere University‘s history and its commitment to gender equality and inclusion. She highlighted that the University has over 20 gender policies and interventions—with some directly impacting gender equality and others improving the work ecosystem—for example, digitization, quality assurance programmes and scholarship programmes. “But this is the first that directly addresses the needs of both students and staff—mothers and fathers alike—through a shared space for child care,” she said.
Ms. Donna Keirungi, a mother and alumna of the University, shared her personal journey on how challenging it is to balance both studying and childcare. She highlighted that the Daycare Centre aims to make the various policies on gender equality and women’s empowerment practical, and to support the University’s commitment to Gender Equality. The Centre aims to fulfil the University’s Strategic Plan 2020–2030’s emphasis on creating an enabling environment and work-life balance.
“The journey to establish the centre began in 2022 with support from the UNDP, including benchmarking at a well-established Daycare Centre in Parliament. The centre is open to children aged zero to five years, including those of students and staff members,” she highlighted.
The Daycare Centre is unique in that it benefits all members of the University community, including single fathers and students.
H.E. Ssentamu Churchill James, the 91st Guild President, thanked UNDP and the organising committee for their efforts in making the facility a reality, describing it as a testament to the University’s commitment to gender equity, student welfare, and removing barriers for parenting students. He highlighted the importance of peace of mind for students, especially mothers, and how the facility will help them balance their roles.
Advancing Digital Transformation: New Multimedia Studio Launched
In a separate but equally impactful launch at the Frank Kalimuzo Central Teaching Facility, Mr. Ian King described the studio as a strategic milestone in the University’s vision to modernise higher education and foster flexible learning. Mr. King noted that Uganda has made significant progress in digital inclusion with over 13 million internet users. He emphasized that the facility aims to address gaps in digital skills access—with only 3% of the population currently benefiting—and promote digital inclusion in line with the pillars of the Digital Economy Scorecard.
He also expressed confidence that the next Digital Economy Scorecard will show improved figures due to the efforts of Makerere and other universities. The digital studio will provide a dedicated space equipped with modern infrastructure to facilitate equitable access to digital skills development. He encouraged full utilization of the studio to maximise its impact on teaching, learning and skills development. He further thanked the Makerere University Management and development partners for their financial contributions that enabled the studio’s realization.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe expressed gratitude to the UNDP for their long-time support, especially with facilities like the Makerere University Innovation Pod (Mak UniPod). He thanked the UNDP for contributing to the modernisation of the University. The Vice Chancellor pledged to use the facility to build capacity across all disciplines and provide knowledge to a wider audience online.
He noted that Africa’s enrolment in higher education is the lowest in the world despite having the fastest-growing population, emphasizing the importance of providing high-quality education to as many people as possible, both on-campus and online. “I’m happy that this facility looks even more diverse than ones I have seen,” he said, expressing his gratitude to UNDP. The Vice Chancellor also highlighted the impact of the UNDP’s support towards unleashing talent and fostering innovation among students. “So by bringing the UniPod, you helped us unlock so much talent, and these students can now come up with the innovations which can be commercialised and create jobs for our fast-growing populations,” said Prof. Nawangwe.
Prof. Paul Birevu Muyinda, the Director, Makerere University Institute of Open Distance and e-Learning (IODel), said that the studio brings a significant leap in content production for e-learning. He expressed gratitude to UNDP for providing the necessary equipment to compete with world-class universities. He highlighted that e-learning courses are now incorporating multimedia elements like video and sound, moving on from the text-based model.
He further mentioned the preference of the younger generation for visual and interactive content, making multimedia content essential for effective teaching and learning. Prof. Muyinda explained how the new multimedia studio will allow for more authentic and context-specific e-learning content, enhancing student engagement. He emphasized that the University is focusing on four key areas: training staff on studio usage, AI literacy, online facilitation, and teaching learners how to use e-learning technology. He underscored the importance of continuous innovation and adaptation in e-learning to keep up with global standards.
Dr. Godfrey Mayende revealed that all science units can also be taught in this Multimedia Studio. He said that the studio provides the naturalness of a class setting as it gives space for students to physically sit in the studio room as the lecturer is teaching or recording a lecture.
The two facilities; Daycare Centre and Multimedia Studio, are the latest in a series of initiatives borne out of the strong partnership between Makerere University and the United Nations Development Programme, including the previously launched Mak UniPod and Gender Equality Seal for Public Institutions. The abovementioned developments offer clear demonstration that Makerere University and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have a strong partnership focused on fostering innovation and development in Uganda and beyond.
-
General1 week agoAdmission Lists for Postgraduate Programmes 2025/26
-
Education2 weeks agoMak CEES wins Grant to Champion Competence-Based Education in Africa
-
General2 weeks agoNEC Hands Over Refurbished Mary Stuart Hall to Mak
-
General2 weeks agoIDI Launches Africa’s Largest Campus-Based 384KWp Solar System
-
Health7 days agoCall for Apllication: The James M. Ntambi Postdoctoral Fellowship