The Biomedical Engineering unit at Makerere University is organizing the first ever Biomedical Engineering High School Summer School. This event scheduled to run from 27th August 2018 to 31st September 2018 is aimed at interesting students in the use of Science and Technology to solve their community's challenges.
The participants who will range from Senior 3 to Senior 6 Secondary School students will have an immersion of the Engineering Design stages, handson experience working in state-of-the-art science research labs, mentorships from Makerere University faculty and career guidance from Makerere University's Admissions' Office.
This event will cost each student a 250,000 UGX fee to cater for their meals and utilities to facilitate the summer schools' activities.
Concept
In today’s highly computerized and big data driven society, students’ tech skills need to be developed to unprecedented levels Unfortunately, as evidenced by the distribution of the candidates in the 2017 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE), only 20% of the candidates pursued science subjects. To tackle this low level of interest in Science Technology and Mathematics (STEM), Makerere University’s Biomedical Engineering program (MAK-BME) is hosting its first ever High School Summer School from 27th August to 31st September 2018.
The aim of the Summer School is to expose Uganda's high school students to the exciting and engaging world of STEM to pique their interests in careers in STEM. Emphasis will be placed to involve under-represented persons in industry for example people with disabilities and girls to encourage them to pursue careers in STEM.
During this five day event, students will cover a mini project-based curriculum to learn and apply concepts in Engineering, Health Sciences and Environmental Sciences to solve real life challenges targeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG’s).
The need-based project curriculum will be supplemented by boot camps to improve the skillset of the attendees and add to their STEM application repertoire. It will also allow informal interaction between our attendees and facilitators to furnish mentorships that could last well beyond the duration of the Summer school. We shall also have career guidance from the Makerere University Admissions office to guide the prospective applicants on the to-dos of STEM career aspirants. By the end of the summer school, our attendees will have clear know-how of spotting and defining a high impact health challenge, and developing feasible solutions to solve them. But that’s not all, the participants will also learn what it takes to translate their solutions to market.
We are not promising to teach you a full engineering curriculum. To be honest, we couldn’t even if we set out to do so. We plan to teach you (1) how to think like a problem solver and (2) how to learn by yourself so you will definitely leave much better than you will have arrived, guaranteed.
Eligibility
All students from Senior 3 to Senior 6 with an interest in pursuing a career in STEM are welcome to pay a fee of 250,000 UGX to attend.
Payments
Fee: 250,000 UGX
The fee charged covers the following:
Breakfast and lunch including all the attendees on the closing day.
All material costs and facilitation fees to the program instructors.
Transportation, equipment costs and internet access
Certificates
Event apparel will also be provided to each participant.
Methods of Payment
Account Name: Makerere University Biomedical Engineering Students’ Association.
Account Number: 9030008637953
Payable at: STANBIC BANK
Alternatively;
Mobile Money Payable ONLY to: 0704 026 105 (Brenda Nakandi, Head of Finance Committee)
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released lists of Successful appeals and supplementary lists. Below is a list arising from appeals of Government Sponsored candidates who have been admitted:
Makerere University and DFCU Bank have today signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bolster innovation, student leadership, research and community impact initiatives.
The collaboration which will see the equipping of the Disability Support center for students living with disabilities through the MAK run and more leadership trainings for students will begin this July.
“The MoU will strengthen research collaborations across sectors like agriculture and health and it will also support the Mutebile Centre to assist private sector growth, which is crucial in lifting Africa out of poverty,” said Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (R) flanked by Mr. Charles Mudiwa (L) makes his remarks at the MoU signing ceremony.
Speaking during the event, Mr. Charles M. Mudiwa, the DFCU Bank Chief Executive Officer, welcomed the move, noting its alignment with the bank’s mission to transform lives and support national development through four pillars: funding, financial inclusion, enterprise development, and vocational education.
“This MoU crowns years of effort and shared intent between our institutions,” he stated. Mr. Mudiwa highlighted the bank’s commitment to skilling youth through internships, curriculum development, and support for innovation hubs and centres of excellence at the university. “We consume the graduates of Makerere. In our most recent graduate intake of 87, 60% were Makerere alumni. The bank allocates around 30 internship positions annually to equip young people with the skills necessary for future roles within the institution,” Mr. Mudiwa, noted.
Representing the student body, Guild President His Excellency, Sentamu Churchill James, commended the partnership as a timely intervention that will empower youth, support SMEs, and expand internship and leadership development opportunities.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (2nd L) presents a framed portrait of the Main Building to Mr. Charles Mudiwa (C) as L-R: University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, 91st Guild President-H.E. Ssentamu Churchill James and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta witness.
“Students are the heartbeat of the university. This collaboration will empower youth and strengthen their role in national development,” His Excellency Ssentamu, said.
About MAK RUN 2025
The Makerere Run 2025 (#MakRun2025), hosted by the Makerere University Endowment Fund (MAKEF) on 17th August 2025, returns for its fifth edition as Kampala’s premier charity marathon, uniting 8,000+ runners—students, alumni, corporate teams, and elite athletes—to tackle the city’s iconic hills under the theme “Run the Hills for the Future.” This landmark event combines competitive racing with transformative impact, channeling proceeds to strengthen Makerere University’s community programs while offering unmatched branding opportunities for partners through Kampala’s largest university-led sporting spectacle.
The Mak Run, scheduled this year for August 17th, is a flagship initiative that mobilizes students, staff, alumni, and partners to raise funds for projects such as the Disability Support Unit and the Student Centre.