General

DICTS Drive Enhances WiFi Coverage at Mak Main Campus

Published

2 years ago

February 20, 2019

Mark Wamai

One of the recently installed outdoor Access Points (APs) at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda. The WiFi coverage expansion is supported by a Sida grant won by DICTS and managed by Prof. Tonny Oyana, Principal CoCIS

The Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS) is currently improving WiFi coverage across the Makerere University Main Campus through a Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) grant as well as from Internally Generated Funds. The grant, won by DICTS, is managed by Prof. Tonny Oyana, Principal-College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS) and will support operationalisation of the revised Makerere University ICT Poilcy and Masterplan.

The 3-year (2018-2020) project being implemented in collaboration with the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences (DSV) at Stockholm University will emphasise cost-effective use of ICT resources to leverage on the University functions of research, teaching and learning. Additionally, the project will institute Integrated Management Information Systems (IMIS) frameworks while adding value, efficiency and cost reduction in the day-to-day business processes of the university.

One of the recently installed outdoor Access Points (APs) at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.

Through the project, our WiFi coverage, which currently stands at 34% will gradually improve every financial year until we attain the recommended coverage for the Main and satellite campuses.

This financial year, DICTS is focusing on WiFi enhancement at the Main Building, Senate Building, CoCIS, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), School of Women and Gender Studies, Mary Stuart Hall and Mugenyi Flats while other colleges and satellite campuses will be considered in the next budgeting cycle.

A technician installs an indoor Access Point (AP)

We are going to implement the 802.11ac WiFi standard which supports Gigabit speeds (super fast) and should therefore offer better internet experience. If your mobile device doesn’t support the 802.11ac standard, do not worry as this standard is backward compatible with older WiFi standards (802.11b/g/n) so users with older devices will still be able to connect and access internet services although at slower speeds.

If you are particularly interested in knowing whether your phone supports the 802.11ac WiFi standard, please visit https://www.gsmarena.com, select your mobile device model and look at “COMMS” under the specifications of the device.

The installation team configures one of the newly installed wireless Access Points (APs)

Users are encouraged to continue engaging DICTS on issues of ICT service improvement within the University and for support services. Log your ICT inquiry on https://support.mak.ac.ug/ or send an email to helpme[at]dicts.mak.ac.ug and our End-user support team will help you.

Article by Mugabi Samuel, Director, Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS)
Additional Information by Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, Director, Directorate for Research and Graduate Training (DRGT)

General

Veteran Professor changed Makerere and Higher Education

Published

4 days ago

June 21, 2021

Mark Wamai

Professor Pancras John Mukasa Ssebuwufu (L) receives a plaque and citation from RUFORUM Board Member and Vice Chancellor Ndejje University-Professor Eriabu Lugujjo (Right) on 6th May 2021 at the RUFORUM Secretariat, Plot 155 Garden Hill, Makerere University Main Campus,

When Professor John Ssebuwufu ambled up to receive a certificate of recognition for his ‘exceptional’ contribution to higher education from the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) at Makerere University (MU), he was thinking of many things, such as rewarding staff, that he could have done differently to impact university education more.

But he did what he could have done, under the circumstances.

He presided over MU (in 1993) when student enrolment was 5,000 and left in 2004 when the population was surging to more than 15,000.

He emphasised the use of information communication technologies in almost all the institutions he had been involved in and sent many academic staff on exchanges to boost research and innovation. Now, more African universities engage in ground-breaking research.

So, he proceeded to accept his recognition and make his acceptance speech, which was mostly about gratitude.

Ssebuwufu, 74, who is currently the chancellor at Kyambogo University and the vice-chancellor of the University of Kisubi, is credited for his exemplary leadership and pragmatic methods that have shaped higher education in Uganda and Africa as a whole.

General

Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program 2021/2022

Published

4 days ago

June 21, 2021

Mark Wamai

Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program 2021/2022. Photo credit: AfDB

The Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program is a capacity building project by the AfDB and Japan which was initiated in 2017 with the aim of providing two-year scholarship awards to highly achieving African graduate students to enable them to undergo post-graduate studies (i.e. a two-year Master’s degree program) in selected priority development areas on the continent and Japan. The overarching goal the AfDB and the Government of Japan seek to attain is to enhance skills and human resources development in Africa in under the Bank’s High 5s agenda (i.e. “Feed Africa”, “Light up Africa”, “Industrialize Africa”, “Integrate Africa” and “Improve the quality of life of the people of Africa”) and key Japanese development assistance initiatives. JADS core areas of study focus include energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, and engineering. The program also seeks to promote inter-university collaboration and university-industry partnerships between Japan and Africa. Upon completion of their studies, the JADS scholars are expected to return to their home countries to apply and disseminate their newly acquired knowledge and skills in the public and private sectors, and contribute to national and continental socio-economic development.

About the JADS program

The JADS Program is open to applicants from AfDB member countries with relevant professional experience and a history of supporting their countries’ development efforts who are applying to a graduate degree program in energy development and related discipline. The program does not provide scholarships to any other graduate degree program.

The scholarship program provides tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and travel allowance.

Upon completion of their studies, the beneficiary scholars are expected to return to their home countries to apply and disseminate their newly acquired knowledge and skills, and contribute to the promotion of sustainable development of their countries.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

The program is open to those who have gained admission to an approved Masters degree course at a Japanese partner university. Candidates should be 35 years old or younger; in good health; with a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in the energy area or related area; and have a superior academic record. Upon completion of their study programs, scholars are expected to return to their home country to contribute to its economic and social development.

Application Procedures

Applicant requests for information and application forms and procedures from the chosen JADS partner university. For any inquiries, please contact JADS@AFDB.ORG
Applicant completes required documents and sends them to the university.
University evaluates and selects applicants.
University sends selected candidates to the AfDB.
AfDB reviews submissions from universities, prepares and approves the final list.
AfDB contacts selected awardees, and informs the universities.