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Mak to partner with Belgium in agricultural production and vocation skills training

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“In Uganda, agriculture is for livelihoods, but we would like to focus on Agriculture for production and agribusiness. I am glad that young people are developing an interest in agriculture. The young people are willing to train and acquire relevant skills in modern Agriculture,” said the First Secretary and Deputy Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Belgium in Uganda, Mr. Alexandre Brecx.Farm Manager  Mr. Tweyambe Chrysestom explains to the delegation the processing feeds at the Feed Mill.

Mr. Alexandre Brecx who was accompanied by two guests from the Embassy made the remarks during a visit to Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute (MUARIK) on Monday 13th May 2019.

The historic visit aimed at strengthening the relationship between Makerere University and Belgium, understanding the operations of MUARIK and exploring possible opportunities for partnership in the field of agriculture as well as vocational skills training.

During the interaction with Staff from Makerere University’s Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, MUARIK and Mak Public Relations Office, Mr. Alexandre Brecx revealed that the Government of Belgium will focus on agriculture and vocational skills training as the next 5-year country programme.

“In the next country programme, we would like to focus on agriculture. Uganda has a huge potential for agriculture. We would like to partner with Makerere University to provide an important platform for students, youths and farmers to embrace the latest technologies in agricultural production,” he said.

Mr. Alexandre commended Makerere University for championing vocational skills training in Uganda. “I recognize Makerere University for its unmeasured effort to provide hands-on skill to the youth and farmers prioritizing agriculture. We acknowledge the important research undertaken by the Institution to solve farmers’ problems and the great innovations done from Makerere University geared towards improving Uganda’s agricultural sector,” he said.The delegation visited the cowshed.

The Belgium Government has immensely invested in building capacity of Makerere University staff especially in the area of Food and Agricultural Engineering and other related science subjects. According to Mr. Alexandre Brecx, every year the Government of Belgium sponsors students and staff from Makerere University to pursue their studies (graduate, postgraduate and research programmes) in Universities in Belgium.

On behalf of Makerere University, Prof. Noble Banadda, the Head, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and an alumnus of Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium acknowledged support from the Government of Belgium that has enabled staff from Ugandan Institutions of Higher Learning to upgrade academically. He recognized the tremendous support the Government of Belgium is extending to Uganda through ENABEL to improve the agricultural sector of Uganda. He looked forward to a fruitful partnership between Makerere University and the Embassy of Belgium to Uganda that will lead to knowledge transfer in Agricultural Engineering and technological Incubation.

“We have the leading agricultural college in the region. It is also well known in capacity building and hands-on skills however, we need more knowledge and skills on mechanization, irrigation, equipment maintenance, agricultural and food processing equipment fabrication and welding. I am aware that Belgium mastered the art of these skills and we hope that when a partnership is sealed, we shall learn from them,” said Prof. Banadda.A student intern from Ssese Institute explains how soil is sterilised for vegetable growing. Right is Mr. Alexandre Brecx

Led by Mr. Tweyambe Chrysestom- the Farm Manager at MUARIK, the delegation visited the Engineering workshop where machinery and other agricultural tools are fabricated. They also visited the feed processing unit, the soil mixing and sterilization unit, the dairy chain, the banana plantation and the goats breeding unit. Throughout the tour, visitors interacted with students from Ssese Farmers Institute; who are undertaking their internship training at MUARIK.

Makerere University Agricultural Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK) is an arm of Makerere University that interfaces with the National Agricultural research system (NARS). Seated on 650 hectares of land, the institute is being managed as a multi-disciplinary facility for training, research, outreach, and production under the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.The delegation from the Belgium Embassy listen to students doing internship training at MUARIK.

The Institute is located 19 kilometers North-West of Kampala off Gayaza Township on the Kampala-Zirobwe Road. It houses;

  • The Center for Continuing Agricultural Education Centre (CAEC),
  • A Biotechnology Lab renowned globally for undertaking continental plant breeding programmes
  • The Makerere University Regional Centre for Crop Improvement (MaRCCI) focused on an African continent free from hunger and malnutrition through the provision of improved varieties of food crops in Africa
  • The Graduate Training and Research Laboratory, with state-of-the-art facilities aimed at enhancing the quality of analysis of practical field work for graduate students
  • The Modern Poultry Unit (KOICA) comprising three (3) sub-units with a capacity of five thousand (5000) birds each, a brooder house, a drying shed for dehydrating chicken manure and a microbial facility to grow microorganisms to be used in the fermentation of chicken manure
  • The Coffee Value Addition Centre (CURAD) focused on agri-business incubation to create employment opportunities for students.
  • The Dairy Value Chain Unit and the Feed Mill

Article by Mak Public Relations Office

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Engineering, Art & Tech

Innovations using low cost locally available materials for point of use water treatment system unveiled

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The College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) conducted a Research Dissemination of two studies aimed at the Development of Materials for point of use water treatment systems.

The investigations were conducted by a team of researchers comprised of P. W. Olupot, H. M. Kalibbala, E. Menya, G.M. Wangi, J. Jjagwe, J. Wakatuntu, M. Turyasingura, R. Walozi, C. Kanyesigye and R. N. Kulabako.

The dissemination event held on Wednesday 29th November 2023 follows the successful completion of two MakRIF supported Research projects namely; Development of rice husk based granular activated carbon for point-of-use water treatment systems and Development of zeolite-based nanocomposite filters for drinking water treatment.

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Engineering, Art & Tech

Apac District gains from CEDAT’s Research on Piloting a Rural Broadband Connectivity Model and Efficacious patient management system

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The School of Engineering at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) shared findings of research that was conducted in Apac Districts through two projects namely Piloting a Rural Broadband Connectivity Model (RCBM) and Efficacious patient management system (EPMS).

The findings of the research sponsored by the Government of Uganda through the Makerere University research and Innovation Fund(MakRIF) were disseminated during a dissemination seminar held in the College on Friday 24th November 2023, where it was revealed that  Apac the host District greatly benefited from the services that not only led to the increased uptake of internet services but also gained through other socio economic areas.

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General

Application Forms for Admission to Public Universities 2024/2025

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Senate Building

The Academic Registrar, Makerere University informs all Head Teachers of A ‘Level schools that application forms for admission to public universities for senior six candidates (UACE 2023) for the 2024/2025 academic year will be ready for collection from the university from Monday 4th December, 2023.

The application forms should be collected from the Office of the Academic Registrar, Senate Building, Level 3, Makerere University.

Issuing of the application forms will start on Monday, 4th December 2023 on payment of a non-refundable application fee of Uganda Shs. 52,000/=(fifty two thousand Uganda shillings only) per application form.

You are advised to get a pay reference number (PRN) using the ACMIS system (http://pay.mak.ac.ug) to enable you pay the application fees in any bank used by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).

The forms are for Ugandans only.

Please note that only Head Teachers or their authorized representatives will be served.

The closing date for submitting the completed application forms will be Wednesday 31st January, 2024.

Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi
ACADEMIC REGISTRAR

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