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CAES Acquires US$9k Video Conferencing Facility Under USAID Capacity Building Project

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A video conferencing facility worth US$9,148 has been installed at the School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) under the USAID Capacity Building project titled, “Upgrading the institutional capacity of the Department of Agribusiness and Natural Resource Economics (DANRE)”.

The facility was handed over by Prof. Allen Featherstone to the Head, DANRE Dr. Gabriel Elepu on 16th November, 2018. Also present were Prof. Vincent Amanor-Boadu (KSU), Dr. Cosas Guvule, Dr. Simon Byabagambi and staff from Makerere University. KSU is an abbreviation for Kansas State University-USA.

The major components of the system are the codec, camera, microphone array, network and power connections, air conditioning, wireless ports, dimmer lights, security system, projector and screen.

Prof. Vincent Amanor-Boadu (L) speaks at the facility handover. Right is Prof. Allen Featherstone

“This technology will make work, communication and collaboration easier,” Prof. Allen Featherstone said.

Receiving the facility, Dr. Gabriel Elepu thanked the USAID Feed the Future Innovation Labs for funding the DANRE/KSU Project at Makerere University. He applauded Kansas State University for accepting to partner with DANRE.

USAID’s Dr. Simon Byabagambi said DANRE and KSU need to interact at least weekly.

Dr. Simon Byabagambi speaks during the handover ceremony

“The technology will allow body language to be visible as well. We shall upscale this pilot study with time but before that, it needs to be used effectively to achieve its goals. We need to find out agencies which have a similar facility and hence strengthen interaction and collaboration with them”, Byabagambi said.

Senior Lecturer and Postgraduate Programmes Coordinator, DANRE, Dr. Jackie Bonabana-Wabbi welcomed the initiative saying, it will address the challenge of poor communication systems often affected by intermittent connectivity.

“The facility will increase communication and collaborations between Mak- DANRE and KSU, enhance teaching and research experience. With time, we may levy a small fee for non-DANRE  members to take care of maintenance of the facility.’’ Dr. Bonabaana said.

L-R: Dr. Simon Byabagambi, Prof. Theodorah Hyuha and Dr. Jackie Bonabana-Wabbi listen to proceedings during the handover ceremony

She further said the target users of the facility are students, staff of DANRE and researchers who wish to collaborate with DANRE but because of distance, are not able to link up directly.

About Mak-DANRE/KSU Collaboration

In May 2018 over 40 Directors from USAID Feed the Future Innovation Labs visited Makerere University Department of Agribusiness and Natural Resource Economics (DANRE) to assess the progress of the DANRE/KSU project on Up-Grading and Enhancing the Institutional Capacity of the Department. The team was impressed with the DANRE/KSU project’s progress.

From 12th to 15th November, 2018 the 2nd Joint NARO-Mak Joint Scientific conference & 1st Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Nutrition Annual Scientific Symposium was successfully held at the Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala where the USAID and KSU played a big role as major sponsors with experts giving key note speeches on food and nutritional security.

The DANRE/KSU Project concept was developed in 2011. Virginia Tech carried out the initial DANRE scoping study in 2014, followed by the DANRE Capacity Building Proposal submitted to USAID in 2015. A four-year project was approved. Michigan State University and the Borlaug Higher Education for Agricultural Research and Development (BHEARD) program were brought on board in 2015. BHEARD released an RFA to network universities in 2016. Six applications were received and reviewed, and three applications were selected for further evaluation. KSU was selected to implement the project.

Dr. Peter Walekwa and Mr. Brian Ogwenrwoth at the facility hand over

With funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Makerere University Department of Agribusiness and Natural Resource Economics (DANRE) partnered with Kansas State University (KSU) Department of Agricultural Economics to implement the objectives of the project.

The specific objectives of the project are:

1.    To restructure and review the curricula structure of two postgraduate and undergraduate Programs including development of a taught PhD program;
2.    To strengthen DANRE’s unit for agricultural research and analysis
3.    Up-grade communication and instruction methods available to staff members.

The project focused on development of a strategic Plan on Up-Grading and Enhancing the Institutional Capacity of the Department of Agribusiness and Natural Resource Economics, improving the Department’s educational program and teaching capacity as well as enhancing its grantsmanship.

The dimming lights and other amenities in the Video Conferencing Facility, DANRE, CAES, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda

The program approaches and strategies centered on quality enhancement and assurance in teaching, research & outreach. The program also considered establishing a value system based on excellence, efficiency, empathy, integrity and accountability.

The program is also looking at the Multidisciplinary approach of engaging persons from other academic disciplines and backgrounds to contribute towards its cause. It will also lobby the top university leadership to gain access to university resources and facilities as well as engaging in Networking and building strategic relationships and partnerships with industry and other relevant stakeholders.

So far, three (3) PhD students have been placed at KSU. A strategic plan for DANRE was drafted and finalized. A Colloquium on Trading in Global Agricultural Economy (Coffee GVC) was also successfully organised. A Collaboration Draft taught PhD curriculum and other curricula (PGD, BSc. AAE, MSc NR&E) is ongoing.  Call for small grants proposals have been done with the exchange visits of administrators and faculty members going on.

Report compiled by;
Jane Anyango
Principal Communication Officer, CAES.

 

Mark Wamai

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75th Graduation Highlights

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Front View of the reconstructed Main Building, Makerere University. Date Taken 8th November 2024. Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The 75th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University will be held at the Freedom Square. A total of 143 PhDs (64 female, 79 male), 1,813 Masters (768 female, 1,045 male), 243 Postgraduate Diplomas (96 female, 147 male), 11,455 Undergraduate Degrees (6,369 female, 5,086 male), and 8 Undergraduate Diplomas (2 female, 6 male) will be graduating from all the Colleges.

Mr. Abdul Latif Umar Bagoole emerged as the best overall and best student in the Humanities with a CGPA of 4.97 in the Bachelor of Leisure and Hospitality Management. Mr. Mubiru Enock Joel emerged as the best student in the Sciences with a CGPA of 4.91 in the Bachelor of Science.

The 75th Graduation Ceremony will be held at the Freedom Square from Monday 13th to Friday 17th January 2025 following the schedule below:

Monday, 13th January, 2025
College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS)
College of Education and External Studies (CEES)
College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security (CoVAB)
School of Law (SoL)

Tuesday, 14th January, 2025
College of Health Sciences (CHS)
College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS)
College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS)

Wednesday, 15th January, 2025
Makerere University Business School (MUBS)
Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research
Faculty of Business Administration
Faculty of Tourism, Hospitality and Languages
Faculty of Marketing and International Business
Faculty of Economics, Energy and Management Science
Faculty of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management

Thursday, 16th January, 2025
Makerere University Business School (MUBS)
Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research
Faculty of Computing and Informatics
Faculty of Management
Faculty of Commerce
Faculty of Procurement and Logistics Management

Friday, 17th January, 2025
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)
College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT)
College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS)

Mak Editor

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Application for Admission to Bachelor of Education External (BED) 2025/26

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Senate Building

1.        HOW TO APPLY

Application will be online using the AIMS System after getting a pay reference number but you will have to submit certified copies of your Diploma transcripts and certificates and a passport size photograph to office 310, level 3 Senate Building after payment of application fees.

2.        MAKERERE UNIVERSITY ONLINE APPLICATION PORTAL USERGUIDE

  1. Applicants should access the Institution’s Admissions URL http://apply.mak.ac.ug
  2. Sign up using full name, e-mail and Mobile No.  Please note that your name must be similar to the one on your supporting academic documents for your application to be considered valid.  If you changed your names please go to Senate Building Office 301 with an affidavit supporting the name change.
  3. A password will be sent to both your e-mail and mobile number.
  4. The system will prompt you to change the password to the one you can easily remember.
  5. To fill a form the applicant clicks on the APPLY NOW button displayed on the running scheme.
  6. Obtain a payment advice slip by clicking on “Pay for Form” button
  7. Make a payment at any of  bank used by URA
  1. Print the filled form and attach certified copies of your academic documents.

3.        PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING A PAYMENT REFERENCE NUMBER FOR

            PAYMENT OF APPLICATION FEES

  1. Go the payment reference site: https//:payments.mak.ac.ug
  2. Fill in your name;
  3. Fill in your email;
  • Fill in your telephone number – Go to the next
  • Click on the option number;
  • Application fee is 50,000/=(Undergraduate) continue and get the pay reference number
  • Go to the Bank and pay
  • Go to room 310 Senate Building and submit certified copies of your academic documents.

WARNING

  •      Applicants are strongly warned against presenting forged or other people’s

Academic documents to support their applications for admission.  The                          consequences, if discovered, are very grave indeed.

  •      Do not buy any other documents not originating from the Academic Registrar’s Office.  Those who buy them do so at their own risk.
  •      The Academic Registrar has not appointed any agents to act on his behalf to solicit for additional funds other than the application fee stated above.

The deadline for receiving applications is 28th February 2025.

Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi
ACADEMIC REGISTRAR

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Admissions for Diploma Holders under Government Sponsorship for 2025/2026 AY

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Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs)/Academic Registrar, delivers his remarks at the Freedom Square. Freshers Orientation for Academic Year 2024/2025, 5th August 2024. Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Academic Registrar, Makerere University invites applications from Diploma Holders only for admission under the Government Sponsorship Scheme (not exceeding 5% of the intake capacity) to the University Degree Programmes for the 2025/2026 Academic year listed in the Document in the link below.

  • Each applicant should possess at least a Credit or Second Class or equivalent Diploma in a relevant field from a recognised Institution plus a Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) with at least 5 Passes (or its equivalent) and a Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) with at least One Principal Pass and Two Subsidiary Passes obtained at the same sitting (or its equivalent).
  • A non refundable application fee of Shs.50,000/ = (Fifty thousand shillings only)plus the Bank Charge using an ACMIS Pay Reference Number should be paid to any bank used by URA before submitting a system generated application form to the Admissions Office, Room 315 Level 3, in the Senate Building, Makerere University.
  • Certified copies of Diploma Transcripts (not photocopies of certified copies) from the awarding Institutions must be attached to the application forms. Incomplete application forms shall not be processed.
  • Details of the Diplomas required for each programme can be viewed on Undergraduate Admissions Notice Board on Level 3, Senate Building, Makerere University and the University website- www.mak.ac.ug
  • N.B. Applicants will be responsible for verification of their academic documents from the awarding Institutions after admission.
  • Each applicant should also attach a copy of the Birth Certificate to the application form.

The closing date for returning the system generated application forms and certified copies of the academic documents to the University is Friday 28th February, 2025.

Mak Editor

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