Stephen Wandera, cohort 2, Makerere University, was nominated for the prestigious Vice Chancellor’s Research Excellence Award 2025. This nomination recognizes his outstanding contributions to research excellence. The award ceremony took place on January 14, 2025, during the Convocation luncheon, following the 75^th graduation ceremony of Makerere. We congratulate Stephen on this significant achievement and commend his dedication to advancing research within his field.

Source: CARTA Newsletter Issue 85

Makerere University (MAK) in collaboration with Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) and Regional Universities Forum (for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) are implementing a five-year CoSTClim project (Collaborative Action for Strengthening Training Capacities in Climate Risk and Natural Resource management). The main goal of the project is to improve the quality of training, education and research at the partner institutions with a dedicated focus on climate risk, disaster risk management and natural resource management. CoSTClim builds on a range of other capacity development projects funded by the Norwegian Government at the partner institutions, and has a specific focus on education.

One of the components of CoSTClim is student mobility from Uganda to Norway and from Norway to Uganda. Therefore, we are inviting applicants from Makerere University and Uganda Martyrs University for Masters student mobility scholarships to NTNU for the Autumn semester in 2025. There are five mobility scholarship slots available for this year. The scholarship will cover 5 months (August-December 2025) stay at NTNU in Trondheim, Norway. The successful candidates can enroll in selected course units at NTNU as well as leveraging the stay to write their master’s thesis. The width and breadth of available course units from which the candidates can select are found: https://www.ntnu.edu/geography/exchange-students.

Limited research supervision will also be given by NTNU staff but the primary supervision responsibility stays with the allocated supervisors at Makerere University or Uganda Martyrs University.

Application procedure is in the document below. The deadline is Friday 28th February 2025.

Dr. Irene Rebecca Namatende who serves as the Quality Assurance Officer, College of Health Sciences Makerere University (MakCHS) received her PhD at the 75^th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University held 13^th – 17^th January 2025. Congratulations to her on reaching this milestone. Following is a brief interview with Dr. Namatende sharing her PhD journey and inspiration.

Who is Dr. Irene Rebecca Namatende? She hails from Busoga-Iganga-Bubago-Buwaya in Mayuge District. She is the daughter of Mr. Tenywa Mudiba Amuraphel, a Fine Artist, and the late Ms. Aidha Mukyala, a teacher. Irene Rebecca Namatende attended Naluwoli Primary School in Kamuli District, Kiira Academy in Jinja for her O-levels, and Mukono Town Academy for her A-levels.

Prior to PhD studies, she holds a Bachelor of Arts from Makerere University, Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration and Management (DPAM) and a Master’s in Public Administration and Management from Uganda Management Institute. She also has a certificate in Research Management and Leadership Programme from George Mason University (USA) through IREX/UASP Fellowship in 2019-2020.

Her PhD Journey: My pursuit of a PhD began in 2015 at the East African School of Higher Education and Development Studies, Makerere University. Driven by my enthusiasm for Quality Assurance, I decided to pursue a PhD in Education Management; my research focused on the Management of External Examination of PhD Theses at Makerere University.

The PhD program allowed Irene to develop enhanced research skills and knowledge in quality assurance. She said, ‘I am now well versed in QA mechanisms and have a clear understanding of the policies, processes, and principles that govern external examination in higher education institutions. – I have gained insight into the experiences faced by PhD students. To date, I have published two papers in internationally recognized journals’.

A brief about her Study: The study explored the methods and principles involved in the external evaluation of PhD theses at Makerere University. It outlines the historical, theoretical, conceptual, and contextual aspects of external PhD thesis evaluation at Makerere University. Additionally, it traces the worldwide origins of external examination, examines Makerere‘s specific context, and employs Pryor et al.’s 5Ps Model to assess its effectiveness. The research highlights various challenges, such as delays, compensation for external examiners, and discussions regarding relevance. Furthermore, the study suggests that Makerere University improve its external examination processes, create a solid tracking system for all PhD theses, and recognize and reward both internal and external examiners, as this would inherently encourage examiners to perform diligently and submit the PhD reports promptly, allowing PhD students to graduate within the expected time frame. In conclusion, the study underscores the importance of efficient performance metrics and principled examination procedures for ensuring the academic quality of PhD theses.

What motivated the PhD studies? Her inspiration was Professor Lillian Tibatemwa Ekirikunbinza, a Justice of the Supreme Court. Professor Tibatemwa Ekirikubinza who served as the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Makerere University and simultaneously held the role of Principal Investigator (PI) for the Quality Assurance Project, sponsored by the Carnegie Corporation of New York in 2005-2006

In 2006, Irene was appointed as the secretary for the Quality Assurance project, working under Professor Elisha Semakula. Both he and Prof. Ekirikunbinza motivated her to aspire to more than just being a project secretary. During this period, she supported the drafting and the writing of QA Policy framework/policy in 2006 and formulated the proposed strategic plan for the Quality Assurance Directorate.    She noted,’my enthusiasm for Quality Assurance, combined with my professional journey from 2006 to 2025, led me to enroll in a PhD program in Education Management at the East African School of Higher Education and Development’.

Challenges during PhD Study: Dr. Namatende highlighted the challenges during her PhD journey thus, “The path to my PhD has not been very smooth. The onset of COVID-19 in 2019/2020 dramatically hindered my ability to concentrate, leaving me at a standstill. 2. During my studies, I experienced the loss of my second supervisor, Dr. Hilary Mukwenda (RIP), with whom I had closely collaborated, which affected my progress. 3. Although my school submitted my book to the external examiner on time, the feedback took nearly eight months, making me feel like a hindrance in my research. Amidst all these challenges, I became victorious”.

Community Service/Contribution: Beside her work as a Quality Assurnace Officer, she also holds various assignments including General Secretary, of Makerere University Senior Administrative Staff (MASA); Chairperson Joint Hymnal Choir – St. Francis Chapel Makerere University from 2019 to 2020; member – Welfare Committee MakCHS; member – Quality Assurance, ICT and Gender Committee, MakCHS; member of the Principal’s Operation Team (POT), MakCHS.

Her quote: ‘Everything Ends according to God’s Purpose’