General
Pedagogical Skills Training for Mak Assistant Lecturers kicks off
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has urged lecturers to observe the professional ethics in their line of duty. This was during the official opening of the Pedagogical Skills Training for Assistant Lecturers on 23rd July 2018 at Makerere University Telepresence Centre. The Pedagogical Skills training, was organised by the Directorate of Human Resources together with the College of Education and External Studies to equip Makerere University Assistant Lecturers with skills and techniques that will enhance their teaching ability and improve the quality of teaching at Makerere University.
The training was geared towards sensitizing the Assistant Lecturers on how to generally share ideals of Makerere University and advance the students and customer experience through improved teaching and learning.
According to the Director of Human Resources Mr. Andrew Abunyang, the training that officially started on 23rd July 2018 will end in March 2019 with more than 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.
35 Assistant Lecturers from the College of Natural Sciences, College of Business and Management Sciences and College of Computing and Information Sciences are participating in the first session of the Pedagogical Skills Training that is running from 23rd-25th July 2018.
“Pedagogical Skills Training is so special and it impacts competence among people. We all know that universities are regarded as engines of growth in a country. Those who teach, are supposed to efficiently do the work. Remember, we are expected to spur development,” said Dr. David Onen, a Coordinator, at the East African School of Higher Education Studies and Development.
In a speech read by the Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences Dr. Eria Hisali, the Vice Chancellor thanked the Directorate of Human Resources for taking the lead in the Pedagogical Skills Training workshop.
“I am impressed that you have worked had to deliver the training. It is my hope that you will create time to discuss the possibilities of how to mainstream students’ mentoring in our activities. I hope this will form the basis for annual refresher training and capacity building on selected pertinent areas to continuously improve our performance,” he said.
He urged participants to take the Pedagogical Skills Training seriously and encouraged them to put into practice what they would have learnt during the three days training. He challenged participants to build strong networks that will inform future collaborations in areas such as joint supervisions of dissertation, research and grant proposal development.
“I want to remind you that Makerere University belongs to all of us and we will be happy to receive feedback through the workshop evaluation that you should undertake to give us baseline data for future interventions,” said the Vice Chancellor.
Representing Prof. Fred Masagazi Masaazi, the Principal of the College of Education and External Studies, the Deputy Principal, Dr. Paul Birevu Muyinda thanked the Directorate of Human Resources for ensuring that Lecturers receive a skill that will help them perform their tasks professionally.
Reiterating the importance of the training, the Dean of the East African School of Higher Education Studies and Development Dr. Ronald Bisaso urged all lecturers and teachers to undertake the Pedagogical Skills Training. “knowing something and passing on the knowledge to someone are two different things. You will always need to be trained on how to properly and efficiently pass on that knowledge to the intended person.”
Some of the topics to be discussed during the three days training include;
- Higher education (its environment and dynamics)
- Learning theories, style and changing philosophy of learning
- Learning goals and learning outcomes
- Pedagogical Design
- Assessment of and information learning
- Student support
Article by; Racheal Kanyi, Volunteer- Mak Public Relations Office
The Director of Makerere University Jinja Campus, Associate Professor Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala, has urged students to familiarise themselves with the Safeguarding policy aimed at creating a safer and more inclusive learning environment.
Speaking during the safeguarding policy sensitization meeting held today Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, emphasized the importance of awareness and adherence to the policy, which seeks to protect students, staff, and other stakeholders from all forms of abuse, harassment, exploitation, and discrimination.
“As Management we want every student to enjoy their stay at the University without being tormented and that can only happen, if students know their rights by reading about different policies on our website. You are meant to be living in a safe environment. We do not want anybody’s dream to be shattered or somebody to drop out from University,” Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, said.
In his speech, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, also called upon students who have complaints but do not know the reporting lines, to approach staff safeguarding champions to make sure that they live in a safe environment.
Addressing guests, Emmanuel Muchake, the Guild Administrator at Jinja Campus, pointed out that the launch of the safeguarding policy is timely because as a University, without creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning, they will not have students graduate.
On Friday, April 4,2025, the Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Portfolio, Right Honourable Lukia Isanga Nakadama, officially launched the Safeguarding Policy and commended Makerere University for crafting a policy that lays out the University’s framework for embedding viable safeguarding measures into its ethos and all institutional activities and processes to: Identify, detect, and act swiftly on safeguarding risks.
The Safeguarding Policy was developed in response to the growing need for institutions of higher learning to implement proactive measures that address concerns related to student welfare, mental health, gender-based violence, and power imbalances in academic settings.
Some of potential safeguarding risks in Institutions of higher learning include emotional distress, Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH); material loss, financial exploitation, discrimination and neglect, unfair and illegitimate response to civic engagements, cyber security/threats, psychological and emotional harm, substance abuse and physical assault. Discrimination and neglect which are often high risks for students with disabilities and international students.
The safeguarding policy sensitization meeting in Jinja Campus brought together students and staff in a meaningful dialogue on safeguarding issues affecting learning.
The event was graced by Dr. Rodney Rugyema, from the Dean of Students Office, who emphasized the University’s commitment to the well-being of all its members. In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of safeguarding policies in preventing abuse, harassment, exploitation, and other forms of misconduct within the Jinja Campus community.
“Safeguarding is not a one-time action, but a continuous culture of care and accountability. We all have a role to play in ensuring a safe and respectful space for learning and growth,” Dr Rugyema, said.
The sensitization session covered key topics including; recognizing signs of abuse, understanding reporting procedures on the MakSafeSpace and fostering mutual respect among peers.
Participants were encouraged to actively engage and reflect on their roles in upholding safety standards both on and off campus.
Students who attended the sensitization welcomed the initiative, with many expressing optimism that the policy would improve campus safety and encourage victims to come forward without fear of retaliation.
“We have seen issues go unreported in the past because students didn’t know where to turn. This policy provides clarity and assurance that the university is taking these matters seriously,” noted, a third-year student.
The University plans to conduct a series of sensitization workshops and distribute printed copies of the policy to ensure that every member of the campus community is well-informed. This initiative is part of Makerere University‘s broader strategy to reinforce its values of integrity, respect, and protection for all.
The Safeguarding Sensitization Meeting concluded with a collective pledge to uphold safety, dignity, and mutual respect within the University community.
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