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H.E Hatem İdris, Saudi Ministry of Education Delegation Visits Mak
On Tuesday 26th November 2019, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe together with the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Dr. Umar Kakumba received a high level delegation from the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education led by Minister Plenipotentiary H.E Hatem İdris. The delegation was accompanied by H.E Mr. Bandar Al Faifi, The Chargé d'Affaires of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Uganda.
Prof. Nawangwe welcomed H.E Hatem İdris and his delegation to Makerere and thanked him for including the University on his Ugandan itinerary. He noted that the Uganda has had a long and fruitful relationship with Saudi Arabia dating back to precolonial times and thanked the Minister for support extended to Makerere University staff that pursue their graduate studies in the Royal Kingdom.
“Makerere as a premier University in Africa tries to develop strong links with as many cultures in the world as possible. We have got the Korea Corner and French Corner in the Main Library as well as the Campus France Antenna. We are also home to the Confucius Institute which promotes both Chinese language and culture” he added.
The Vice Chancellor therefore appealed to H.E. Hatem Idris to champion the establishment of a Centre for Arabic and Islamic Studies at Makerere University. The Centre, he noted would promote not only the teaching of Arabic but also other aspects of cultural significance such as architecture, music and art.
In his remarks, Dr. Umar Kakumba reiterated the need to establish a Centre for Arabic and Islamic Studies at Makerere University, noting that the former Ambassador H.E Dr. Jamal Rafah had also recognized the proposed centre as an avenue to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s relationship with Makerere University beyond support to Arabic language studies. He wished the delegation fruitful discussions with the Ministry of Education and Sports, noting that deliberations between the Governments of Uganda and Saudi Arabia would set the pace for collaborations with Makerere University.
The Coordinator of Arabic Language at Makerere University, Dr. Ssali Ebraheem thanked H.E. Hatem Idris and the Saudi Arabian Government for the support extended to teaching the language since the collaboration officially started in 2002.
“In particular, I would like to thank His Excellency for the USD 90,000 grant from King Abdalla Bin Abdul Aziiz International Centre for Arabic Language to enable students to study Arabic language for a period of three years. This has boosted teaching of the subject in the Department of European and Oriental Language and we have close to 70 students where we previously had only 20 to 25” added Dr. Ssali.
In his remarks H.E Mr. Bandar Al Faifi thanked H.E. Hatem Idris for including Makerere University on his itinerary, adding that the visit would put face to the long collaboration in scholarship between Saudi Arabia and Uganda. He added that Makerere is the most famous University in Africa and therefore gladly announced the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s renewal of the three year grant to enable students in the Department of European and Oriental to study the Arabic language.
The representative of Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University, Saudi Arabia in his remarks thanked the Vice Chancellor and Members of Management for sparing time to meet the delegation. He added that the visit would strengthen discussions on the Centre for Arabic and Islamic Studies’s proposed establishment at Makerere University. The representative added that the delegation would use the same visit to discuss with the Ministry of Education and Sports the establishment of an independent National Centre for Arabic and Islamic Studies.
Present at the discussions were the University Librarian-Dr. Helen Byamugisha, Dean of Students-Mr. Cyriaco Kabagambe, Director Research and Graduate Training-Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza, Director Internal Audit-Mr. Walter Yorac Nono and staff from the Department of European and Oriental Languages. The discussions were moderated Acting Manager, Communication and International Relations-Dr. Muhammad Kiggundu Musoke who also doubled as translator from Arabic to English and vice versa.
Article by Public Relations Office
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Mak Students Receive USD 90,000 from Saudi Arabia
Waste Management efforts at Makerere University have been boosted by a donation of 30 waste bins by Centenary Bank’s Makerere Branch. The bins received on Monday 11th May 2026 in the Freedom Square by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe in the company of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Sarah Ssali, Deputy University Secretary, Mr. Simon Kizito and other officials were handed over by the Branch Manager, Mr. Sunday Julius.
Appreciating the donation from Centenary Bank on behalf of University Management, Prof. Nawangwe noted that Makerere University strives to maintain “the cleanest environment in Kampala”, especially as a good example to future leaders, the students.
Acknowledging earlier donations to the Halls of Residence by Centenary Bank, Prof. Nawangwe described the ceremony as “the beginning of a long journey of collaboration in environmental stewardship,” with separation of plastics from biodegradable waste earmarked as the next step in user education.
In his remarks, Mr. Sunday noted that the donation was in line with the Bank’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) objectives, particularly the Social component, where supporting institutions with waste management facilities to enhance hygiene is key. “It is important for Centenary Bank to give back to the society where it makes money”, he emphasized.
Describing Makerere University as the “main institution that Centenary Bank operates a branch”, Mr. Sunday recognised the donation as a step in the right direction with a valuable partner.
The newly-donated bins will be placed in various public locations under supervision of the Estates and Works Directorate.
Makerere University and the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA (ND) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which opens opportunities for collaboration between the two historic and leading research institutions in the areas of staff and student exchange, joint research and training, joint supervision of graduate students, and others.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe signed on behalf of Makerere University and Rev. Robert A. Dowd, the 18th President signed on behalf of the University of Notre Dame. The ceremony, which was held at the University of Notre Dame campus at South Bend, Indiana was witnessed by Dr. Lorna Magara, the Chairperson of the Council of Makerere University, who led the Mak delegation.
Dr. Magara appreciated the institutionalisation of the collaboration between the two universities and the very warm hospitality accorded to the Mak delegation.
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