Makerere University’s Department of Agricultural Production in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Western Sydney University (WSU) to promote collaborative research. The MoU signed on 20th June 2018 is in recognition of the mutual benefits gained through a cooperative program of promoting scholarly activities and international understanding.

Under the MoU the two universities will undertake joint activities like organisation of joint academic and scientific activities such as courses, conferences, seminars, symposia or lectures.

Others include exchange of academic staff for teaching and research activities on top of exchanging PhD/HDR students to undertake study or participate in research programs, in addition to exchange of publications and other information of common interest.

The memorandum which will last for five years subject to renewal on agreement was signed by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on behalf of Makerere University and the Vice Chancellor WSU Prof. Barney Glover and was witnessed by the Directorate of Legal Affairs.

In the MoU, each party is required to appoint a coordinator who will be responsible for managing the development and conduct of any activities upon which the two institutions agree.

“Either party may initiate proposals for the activities at any time and submit them to the other party for consideration and if the parties agree to implement any proposal then they will enter into a legal binding agreement incorporating suitable provisions depending on the nature of the activities,” stated the MoU.

Prof. Elly Sabiiti the coordinator for academic cooperation under the MoU said that Makerere and West Sydney University have been doing other activities in the past like the Urbanisation of Agriculture conference in addition to a joint research project submitted for funding.

“We have a PhD student fully sponsored by Western Sydney University where I am co-supervisor, “Prof. Sabiiti added.

Article Compiled by;
Agnes Nankebe Nantambi,
Communication Office CAES.