Connect with us

General

69th Graduation’s Gatale Emerges as Only African Winner at World CUR 2019

Published

on

Mr. Gatale Elijah who graduated with the Bachelor of Science of Computer Science during the second session of the 69th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University has emerged as the only African winner at the recently concluded World Congress on Undergraduate Research 2019. The Second Edition of the World CUR was held from 23rd to 25th May 2019 at the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Germany.

The aim of the Congress is to bring together the world's best undergraduate research and to work on some of the most significant challenges the global community is facing today. The World CUR 2019 featured six theme-based awards in the categories of; Environment, Global Health, Economy, Communication, Politics and The World We Create.

Mr. Gatale’s research project “Shuttle Alert” which addressed challenges that Makerere University students who reside in hostels face in their daily commute to the Main Campus won top honours in the Communication category. He received a manually crafted trophy and an official certificate. His undergraduate project "Shuttle Alert" was supervised by Dr. Marriette Katarahweire of the Department of Computer Science, College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS). The Department is headed by Dr. Engineer Bainomugisha whose AirQo Project won a US$1.3million Google AI Impact Grant in May 2019.

Mr. Gatale Elijah poses with his certificate and trophy

Other winners were:

  • For the research theme “Environment”: Kamilia Zubir and Asma Ahmed (Qatar University, Qatar) with the oral presentation “Antibacterial Activity of New Sponge Species Isolated from the Qatari Marine Zone”.
  • For the research theme “Health”: Feres José Marón, et. Al (Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Argentina) with the oral presentation “Nanoformulated Anadamide Decreases Blood Pressure, Neuroinflammatory and Oxidative Markers in a Rat Model of Hypertensive Disease”.
  • For the research theme “Economy”: Anna-Lena Mauz, Joshua Senne, Maximilian Schambeck (University of Hohenheim, Germany) with the oral presentation “Earth‘s Treasures”.
  • For the research theme “Politics”: Jamie Wise, Hollie Nyseth Brehm (Ohio State University, USA) with the poster presentation “Forgiveness after the Genocide in Rwanda: What Religious Narratives Reveal About Agency”.
  • For the research theme “Create”: Saakshi Thukral, Katherine E. Savell (University of Alabama at Birmingham, US) with the poster presentation “Blunting Drug Related Gene Expression Changes Using a CRISPR/dCas9 Strategy”.

According to the Congress website, the prizes “have a fair value that encourages the individual development for subsequent research projects.”

We congratulate Mr. Gatale upon his excellent performance at the World CUR 2019 and for bringing great pride to his alma mater.

Please click the links below for more information

About Shuttle Alert: http://dissertations.mak.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12281/4367

About World CUR 2019: https://uol.de/en/worldcur2019

 

Mark Wamai

Continue Reading

General

Office of the Academic Registrar Lauded for Groundbreaking Achievements In Digitalization

Published

on

Mr. Charles Ssentongo (5th Left), together with Office of the Academic Registrar staff members are joined by Dr. Dickson Kalungi (4th Right) and MUST Registrars for a group photo in front of the Senate Building on 25th March 2025.

By Gerald Ochwo

On 25th March 2025, a delegation of Registrars from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) undertook a benchmarking exercise at Makerere University, with a specific focus on the latter’s pioneering efforts in academic records digitalization. The delegation, led by Dr. Dickson Kalungi, Ag. Deputy Academic Registrar was received by Mr. Charles Ssentongo, Deputy Academic Registrar in charge of Admissions and Records Division, who represented the Academic Registrar (AR), Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi.

The visit was prompted by Makerere University‘s trailblazing achievements in digitalizing academic records, as exemplified by the Digitalization of Academic Records Project (DARP). This initiative has been instrumental in creating a centralized, digital one stop repository of all University’s academic records, thereby enhancing the efficiency, accuracy, and security of academic records management.

In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Ssentongo conveyed the Academic Registrar’s message and highlighted Makerere University‘s efforts to digitalize all its processes and records. He further noted that the university is intentional about creating a digital ecosystem that makes academic records retrieval easy and efficient.

As a university, we are now intentional with the digitalization of all our processes including, digitization of our manual records that date as way back as the inception of Makerere University. Currently, the DARP project as gone as far as creating a one stop center for both Academic document verification and certification, whereby our former graduates, will only need to access the online verification and certification portal and submit their documents without necessarily having to travel many physical distances to Makerere University” Mr. Ssentongo remarked.

Registrars from MAK and MUST pose for a group photo after the meeting. Left is article author Gerald Ochwo.
Registrars from MAK and MUST pose for a group photo after the meeting. Left is article author Gerald Ochwo.

In his appreciation remarks, the MUST head of delegation, Dr. Dickson Kalungi, thanked the Academic Registrar for honoring their request to come and learn from the best practices that exist at Makerere University and particularly commended the Department for the great steps and strides made in pioneering modern Academic records storage management systems.

“I want to sincerely thank the Office of the Academic Registrar for sparing time and organizing this meeting. As a University, we have embarked on a transformative change drive whereby we intend to automate all our registry processes including, the management of Academic Records. The DARP project at Makerere University, has been one project where we draw a number of lessons and we are eager to go and implement some of the best practices we have observed here today”

Conclusion

The benchmarking exercise undertaken by Mbarara University of Science and Technology demonstrates the significance of Makerere University and particularly, the Office of the Academic Registrar’s achievements in academic records digitalization. The DARP project serves as a model for other institutions to follow, highlighting the importance of investing in digital solutions to enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and security of academic records management. It further demonstrates the university’s commitment to sharing knowledge and best practices with other institutions. Makerere University‘s efforts in digitalizing academic records have set a high standard for other universities to emulate, and the DARP project is a shining example of innovation and excellence in academic records management.

Gerald Ochwo is the Liaison Officer, Office of the Academic Registrar

Mak Editor

Continue Reading

General

Press Release: Launch of #MakRun2025

Published

on

Makerere University officially launches the 5th Edition of the Makerere University Marathon #MakRun2025, 27th March 2025, Main Hall, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

27th March 2025

LAUNCH OF THE 5TH EDITION OF THE MAKERERE UNIVERSITY MARATHON (#MakRun2025)

Makerere University is pleased to announce the launch of the 5th edition of the Makerere
University Marathon, also known as #MakRun2025, under the theme “Run the Hills for the Future” which is scheduled to take place on 17th August 2025.

The MakRun2025 is targeting 10,000 participants drawn from the university community, corporate entities, sports enthusiasts, and the general public. Proceeds from this year’s marathon will go towards further equipping the Makerere University Disability Support Unit and strengthening the Makerere University Endowment Fund.

Speaking as the Guest of Honour, the Minister for Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang, emphasized the unifying power of sports, stating that the “#MakRun2025 is not only about physical endurance it is a uniting force that brings people together from all walks of life, driving us towards a common goal, advancing education and inclusivity for all.”

As part of the launch event, Makerere University officially handed over assistive equipment to the Disability Support Unit, procured from proceeds of the #MakRun2024. The equipment includes:

  • Focus Blue 40 Braille Display – 5th Generation for the Visually Impaired
  • Everest D5 Braille Embosser
  • DUXBURY Braille Transcription Software
  • And other essential assistive tools to support students living with disabilities.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, reaffirmed the importance of this annual event, stating that “This event has become one of the most significant social and community engagement activities in our university calendar, bringing together students, staff, alumni, corporate partners, and members of the wider public for a good cause.”

In his remarks, the Ag. Chairperson of the Makerere University Endowment Fund, Mr. Barnabas Tumusingize, highlighted the growth of the initiative: “What started as a small university event has now evolved into a major attraction. To professionalize the event, we are incorporating race timing chips, cash prizes for winners, among other enhancements, with a vision of making it a regionally recognized major race by 2027.”

We call upon all members of the Makerere University community and the general public to participate and support this noble cause.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Tuhirirwe Karane
Communications Officer
Makerere University Endowment Fund
+256 414 660 416/+256 703 647496

Mak Editor

Continue Reading

General

Call For Abstracts: Global Symposium on Insects for Food, Feed & Food Security in Africa

Published

on

Some of the speakers lined up for the Global Symposium on Insects for Food, Feed, and Food Security in Africa, 5th–6th June 2025, Onomo Hotel, Nakasero, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University, in collaboration with Michigan State University, invites researchers, development actors, regulators, and practitioners to submit abstracts for the Global Symposium on Insects for Food, Feed, and Food Security in Africa.

The symposium will be held from 5th–6th June 2025 at Onomo Hotel in Kampala, under the theme: Advancing the role of insects in African farming systems for feed, food, and food security. The symposium aims to share knowledge and experiences in advancing the use of insects as a solution to Africa’s food, feed, and food security challenges. Contributions on the following sub-themes are welcome.

  1. Insects as animal feed for sustainable livestock production livelihoods
  2. Insects for human food and food security, including indigenous insect food systems
  3. Insects for improved soil health and crop production
  4. Commercialization of insect farming and products, including regulation and standardization

Important Dates:
Abstract Submission Deadline: 18th April 2025
Feedback to Participants: 2nd May 2025

Registration Fee:  Participants will be required to pay a fee of USD 45, which will cover meals and venue costs. Limited scholarship slots are available for students and farmers. Please note that participants are responsible for their transportation and accommodation.

Submission Guidelines: Abstracts should align with the symposium themes and must be submitted by the deadline. Further details on submission formats and requirements will be provided upon request.

For further information about the symposium and Abstract submission, please refer to the contact below.

Dr. Amulen Deborah Ruth (PhD)
Makerere University
College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity
Department of Livestock Industrial Resources
P.O. Box 7062, Kampala
Phone: +256 782 315 636

Mak Editor

Continue Reading

Trending