On 21^st November, 2025, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, hosted a delegation from the Nottingham Trent University (NTU). The meeting underscored the need to re-model what purposeful, equitable and future-oriented international collaboration can look like between Universities. What began as a 15 year focused engagement in Public Health is set to evolve into a mature, multi-dimensional partnership guided by a shared commitment to knowledge exchange, cultural sensitivity, innovation and community transformation. With the current Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) running until 2028, now in its third iteration, both institutions are deliberately reimagining the next phase of collaboration, extending its impact over the next 15 years and beyond.

Moving Beyond Public Health: A Broader Vision for Collaboration

While past collaborations have significantly advanced areas such as community health, microbial research, leadership among health managers and non-communicable diseases, the future partnership envisions a more diversified and resilient framework.

Prof. Neil Mansfield, the Executive Dean, Research and International Reputation, NTU, noted that this growth strategy is anchored in building additional “legs” onto the partnership chair; creating stability through cross-disciplinary engagement involving the School of Science and Technology, Department of Engineering, Business School, the Makerere University Gender Institute, and the creative arts at both Universities.

The expanded scope reflects a shared belief that sustainable development and innovation demand integrated approaches that bring together engineers, social scientists, anthropologists, business leaders, climate scientists and creatives among others disciplines.

Equitable Partnership as a Guiding Principle

Both institutions reaffirmed the importance of equitable partnerships that prioritise shared ownership, mutual benefit and contextual relevance.

Prof. Linda Gisbon, Director, Global Public Health, NTU highlighted the importance of the shared ownership model for joint projects. She further noted that this approach has already gained scholarly recognition through published work advocating for afro-centric collaboration models, positioning the partnership as a benchmark for ethical international engagement.

The NTU–Makerere shared ownership model ensures that all projects are jointly created, jointly led and jointly benefitted from. Both institutions participate equally in decision-making, resource management, knowledge generation and dissemination, ensuring the partnership strengthens capacity on both sides rather than reproducing unequal power dynamics.(Gibson et al., 2023)

Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurial Readiness

Dr. Hellen Karditsas, a senior lecturer at NTU, extensively shared about a possible flagship proposal which could be integrated within the expanded collaboration.

“NTU’s Engineering Challenge is an intensive three-week program engaging first- and second-year students in real-world product development. Students, supported by academic staff, conceptualise solutions, develop business models and transform ideas into market-ready products.” She noted.

Dr. Hellen, concluded by sharing that the Challenge engages students and staff from disciplines such as Mechanical, Electrical, Sport, Biomedical and Aerospace Engineering, this initiative exposes participants to the full innovation ecosystem, nurturing a generation of engineering entrepreneurs equipped for both industry and enterprise.

Prof. Sarah Ssali complimented the conversation when she noted, the growing interest in anthropological engineering and vernacular architecture – an interdisciplinary lens that examines how cultural practices and people’s way of life shapes their construction techniques and designs.

She further noted that, by recognising that “development is anti-people” when detached from lived realities, this partnership should seek to integrate cultural sensitivity into infrastructure design, ensuring that modernisation aligns with community needs and values.

Expanding into Arts, Design and Creative Industries

Another strategic leg of the partnership is strengthening ties between NTU and Makerere’s School of Performing Arts and Film. Plans include equipment-sharing initiatives, joint creative labs and collaborative production spaces aimed at enhancing capacity, storytelling and community engagement through visual and performing arts. These collaborations will also support public health communication through creative multimedia approaches and capacity building.

During the meeting, Makerere University Press partnerships and writing summer schools were also proposed to nurture scholarly publishing, academic writing and creative expression, further strengthening intellectual exchange between the two institutions.

Future projects will continue to integrate sociologists, anthropologists and social scientists to shape interventions that are not only technically sound but socially responsive and culturally aware.

Industry Linkages and Global Networks

Recognising the importance of industry engagement, the partnership seeks to connect with British-owned companies operating in Uganda as well as Ugandan enterprises with footprints in the UK. These linkages will enable practical learning opportunities, internships, applied research and joint innovation ventures.

Exchange visits for business students will also be prioritised to foster global exposure, entrepreneurial thinking and cross-cultural competence, equipping students to operate in increasingly interconnected economies.

A Partnership for the Future

The future Makerere–NTU collaboration will be defined by diversity, scalability and shared vision. By pulling together multiple schools and centres from Business and Natural Sciences to Engineering, Gender Studies and the Creative Arts the partnership is positioned to evolve into a holistic, long-term platform for knowledge production, innovation and people-centred development.

As both institutions reaffirm their commitment to constructive dialogue, joint planning and continuous evaluation, this partnership stands as a testament to how international cooperation can move beyond transactional engagement into transformative, sustainable impact.

In building more legs onto the partnership chair, Makerere University and Nottingham Trent University are not only strengthening institutional ties – they are shaping a resilient model for global academic collaboration that is equitable, agile and firmly rooted in shared purpose.

Reference;

Gibson, L., Ikhile, D., Nyashanu, M. & Musoke, D., 2023. Health promotion research in international settings: A shared ownership approach for North-South partnerships. In: L. Potvin & D. Jourdan, eds. Global Handbook of Health Promotion Research. Vol. 3: Doing Health Promotion Research. Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp.263-272.

Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University.

Makerere University has hosted a delegation from Nottingham Trent University (NTU) for high-level discussions focused on strengthening and expanding the long-standing collaboration between the two institutions. The team that was received by Prof. Sarah Ssali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs was led by Prof. Neil Mansfield, the Executive Dean for Research and International Reputation, accompanied by Dr. Helen Karditsas, a senior lecturer in the Department of Engineering; Prof. Linda Gibson from Global Public Health at NTU; Ms. Mazeda Hossain, Director of the Eastern Africa Centre; and Dr. Damilola Omodara, Senior Lecturer in Public Health.

For over fifteen years, NTU has maintained a strong partnership with the Makerere University School of Public Health, working in areas such as community health, leadership development among health managers, and research on non-communicable diseases. This collaboration has supported student mobility, staff exchanges, and joint research initiatives that have contributed significantly to capacity building on both sides.

During the meeting, the NTU team expressed readiness to broaden this relationship beyond public health, noting that the existing achievements offer a strong foundation for expansion. Their vision is to build an interdisciplinary collaboration that brings together multiple colleges and fields of expertise, including engineering, environmental sciences, business, arts, and digital media. The team emphasized that diverse academic partnerships offer more stability and create wider opportunities for innovation, student training, and impactful research.

NTU is now seeking to establish a broader, university-wide Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will enable the two institutions to explore a wider range of synergies across disciplines. This approach is expected to make future collaborations more flexible, allowing different units to initiate joint projects, exchange programs, and research activities under one institutional framework.

Prof. Ssali welcomed the delegation and affirmed Makerere University’s commitment to deepening partnerships that strengthen teaching, research, and community engagement. She noted that an interdisciplinary model is essential for addressing emerging global challenges, and highlighted opportunities in areas such as climate science, engineering innovation, creative arts, and publishing.

The visit forms part of ongoing efforts to position Makerere University as a hub for impactful global collaborations that advance academic excellence and societal transformation.

On Tuesday, 18^th November 2025, the iconic Makerere University Main Hall opened its doors to a historic celebration, 60 years of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Uganda and the Commonwealth of Australia. The event, organized by the Australian Alumni Association of Uganda (A3-U) in partnership with Makerere University and the Australian High Commission, brought together diplomats, government leaders, academics, private sector actors, innovators, and alumni for a day of reflection, dialogue, and renewed commitment to partnership.

Held under the theme “Australia–Uganda at 60: A Legacy of Partnerships and a Shared Vision,” the commemorative lecture and exhibition captured the depth, transformation, and future promise of a relationship spanning six decades.

Education as the Heartbeat of AU–UG Relations

In her opening remarks, Dr. Lorna Magara, Chairperson of the Makerere University Council, set the tone by honoring the enduring ties that bind the two nations. She welcomed H.E. Ms Jenny Da Rin, Australia’s High Commissioner to Uganda, and H.E. Dorothy Samali Hyuha, Uganda’s High Commissioner to Australia and a proud Makerere alumna.

Dr. Magara highlighted that no institution in Uganda better embodies the success of Australia–Uganda cooperation than Makerere University. Hundreds of Ugandans, many of whom are now leaders in academia, government, civil society, and the private sector, received an Australian education, returning home with advanced skills and global perspectives that continue to enrich national development.

She further celebrated the impact of the Australian–African Universities Network (AAUN), noting Makerere’s active role in research collaborations in public health, climate-smart agriculture, energy, business, technology, and the natural sciences. Faculty exchanges and joint projects, she emphasized, have transformed both teaching and research output at the university.

Dr. Magara recognized the Australian Alumni Association of Uganda as a powerful force sustaining these ties. “Your association,” she remarked, “is the human infrastructure that complements our institutional partnerships.”

The Keynote Address: Six Decades of Shared Values and Strategic Cooperation

Delivering the keynote speech, Ambassador Mull Sebujja Katende, former Uganda Ambassador to Ethiopia and the United States, offered a historical and diplomatic journey through the Uganda–Australia relationship.

He noted that Uganda and Australia’s ties were firmly cemented shortly after Uganda’s independence in 1962, rooted in their shared membership in the Commonwealth of Nations. Early cooperation took the form of educational scholarships and technical assistance, empowering Uganda’s emerging leadership and contributing to sectors such as mining and science.

Ambassador Katende also acknowledged moments of divergence, particularly around Australia’s early stance on Rhodesia and apartheid South Africa. However, transformative policy shifts under Prime Minister Gough Whitlam in the 1970s realigned Australia with African positions strengthening diplomatic trust and solidarity.

The keynote highlighted three major pillars of the bilateral relationship:

1. Formal Diplomatic Ties: Built on Commonwealth membership and early educational cooperation, these ties laid the foundation for long-term collaboration.

2. Reciprocal Diplomatic Missions: From the Australian High Commission in Nairobi and its Consulate in Kampala to the Uganda High Commission in Canberra, these missions have facilitated consular services, education, trade engagement, and people-to-people connections.

3. Political & Socio-Economic Cooperation: The Ambassador noted steady collaboration in trade (though still low-volume), development assistance, peace and security, and most prominently, education. Australia’s status as a highly developed, globally influential economy signals even greater potential for Uganda to tap into future opportunities.

He called the anniversary “a moment not only to celebrate achievements, but to set a bold agenda for the next 60 years,” urging deeper collaboration in technology transfer, capacity building, purposeful education, and stronger Africa–Australia engagement.

Panel Session: Shaping the Next 60 Years

A vibrant panel discussion titled “Australia–Uganda Partnerships in Education, Trade, and Innovation: The Next 60 Years” followed the keynote. The panel convened thought leaders in education, business, public policy, technology, and health. Discussions centered on, expanding educational diplomacy and scholarship opportunities, strengthening trade, particularly Uganda’s coffee and tea exports, leveraging Australian expertise in renewable energy, mining, technology, and agribusiness, enhancing research collaboration through AAUN, scaling innovation ecosystems supported by alumni and institutional partners.

This forward-looking dialogue reaffirmed that the strongest opportunities lie at the intersection of education, innovation, and enterprise, powered by networks like A3-U and the AAUN.

A Culture of Connection: Networking and Exchange

The commemorative event concluded with a networking and cultural exchange session, bringing together alumni, diplomats, government officials, business leaders, students, and friends. Over refreshments, participants deepened connections, explored opportunities, and reflected on the next chapter of AU–UG collaboration.

The Australia–Uganda @60 commemorative lecture was not just a celebration of the past, it was a blueprint for the future. From the keynote’s diplomatic insights to the academic reflections and innovative exhibitions, the event reaffirmed one truth:

The partnership between Uganda and Australia is powered by people, strengthened through institutions, and destined for greater impact over the next 60 years.

Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University.