General

DRGT Holds Successful Virtual Annual Research Planning Meeting, 2020

Published

1 year ago

May 18, 2020

Mark Wamai

Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, Director, Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda. DRGT successfully kicked off a two-day virtual Annual Research Planning Meeting on 18th May 2020.

Today, 18th May 2020, we held a successful virtual Annual Research Planning Meeting with our Swedish Collaborators. The meeting was attended by 145 Participants from five partner Ugandan Public
Universities (Makerere, Mbarara, Kyambogo, Busitema, and Gulu) and 11 collaborating Swedish institutions. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, officiated at the opening of the two-day meeting.

The meeting reviewed and regretted the lost research time due to the COVID-19 pandemic and proposed a catch-up/mitigation plan. Even amidst the pandemic that has turned the world upside-down, the researchers and students are resolute in their target to achieve the programme's high-level goal; establishing a vibrant Ugandan research community able to lead world-class research that impacts positively.

The goal will be achieved through the continued strengthening of doctoral training to enhance the local production of well-trained researchers; improving the institutional capacity of participating Ugandan public universities; building a critical mass of researchers to support high-quality research by improving research infrastructure, strengthening research capacity development, enhancing research
management and administration, and establishing appropriate policies and incentives.

In general, the meeting resolved to have adopted the Theory of Change, premised on the assumption that building of research capacity, and research training is dependent on existence of strong institutional
support that provides an environment conducive for the production of high-quality research undertaken by its academic staff enrolled in the PhD programme. This will be the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT)'s continued basis to focus on producing that critical mass of researchers through PhD training, training of supervisors and also through the cross-cutting courses that
emphasise professional development leading to production of critical, independent researchers in the next two years of Uganda-Sweden engagement.

The meeting continues tomorrow, Tuesday 19th May 2020 at 1pm.

Professor Buyinza Mukadasi, Director, DRGT, Makerere University

General

Veteran Professor changed Makerere and Higher Education

Published

4 days ago

June 21, 2021

Mark Wamai

Professor Pancras John Mukasa Ssebuwufu (L) receives a plaque and citation from RUFORUM Board Member and Vice Chancellor Ndejje University-Professor Eriabu Lugujjo (Right) on 6th May 2021 at the RUFORUM Secretariat, Plot 155 Garden Hill, Makerere University Main Campus,

When Professor John Ssebuwufu ambled up to receive a certificate of recognition for his ‘exceptional’ contribution to higher education from the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) at Makerere University (MU), he was thinking of many things, such as rewarding staff, that he could have done differently to impact university education more.

But he did what he could have done, under the circumstances.

He presided over MU (in 1993) when student enrolment was 5,000 and left in 2004 when the population was surging to more than 15,000.

He emphasised the use of information communication technologies in almost all the institutions he had been involved in and sent many academic staff on exchanges to boost research and innovation. Now, more African universities engage in ground-breaking research.

So, he proceeded to accept his recognition and make his acceptance speech, which was mostly about gratitude.

Ssebuwufu, 74, who is currently the chancellor at Kyambogo University and the vice-chancellor of the University of Kisubi, is credited for his exemplary leadership and pragmatic methods that have shaped higher education in Uganda and Africa as a whole.

General

Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program 2021/2022

Published

4 days ago

June 21, 2021

Mark Wamai

Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program 2021/2022. Photo credit: AfDB

The Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (JADS) Program is a capacity building project by the AfDB and Japan which was initiated in 2017 with the aim of providing two-year scholarship awards to highly achieving African graduate students to enable them to undergo post-graduate studies (i.e. a two-year Master’s degree program) in selected priority development areas on the continent and Japan. The overarching goal the AfDB and the Government of Japan seek to attain is to enhance skills and human resources development in Africa in under the Bank’s High 5s agenda (i.e. “Feed Africa”, “Light up Africa”, “Industrialize Africa”, “Integrate Africa” and “Improve the quality of life of the people of Africa”) and key Japanese development assistance initiatives. JADS core areas of study focus include energy, agriculture, health, environmental sustainability, and engineering. The program also seeks to promote inter-university collaboration and university-industry partnerships between Japan and Africa. Upon completion of their studies, the JADS scholars are expected to return to their home countries to apply and disseminate their newly acquired knowledge and skills in the public and private sectors, and contribute to national and continental socio-economic development.

About the JADS program

The JADS Program is open to applicants from AfDB member countries with relevant professional experience and a history of supporting their countries’ development efforts who are applying to a graduate degree program in energy development and related discipline. The program does not provide scholarships to any other graduate degree program.

The scholarship program provides tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and travel allowance.

Upon completion of their studies, the beneficiary scholars are expected to return to their home countries to apply and disseminate their newly acquired knowledge and skills, and contribute to the promotion of sustainable development of their countries.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

The program is open to those who have gained admission to an approved Masters degree course at a Japanese partner university. Candidates should be 35 years old or younger; in good health; with a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in the energy area or related area; and have a superior academic record. Upon completion of their study programs, scholars are expected to return to their home country to contribute to its economic and social development.

Application Procedures

Applicant requests for information and application forms and procedures from the chosen JADS partner university. For any inquiries, please contact JADS@AFDB.ORG
Applicant completes required documents and sends them to the university.
University evaluates and selects applicants.
University sends selected candidates to the AfDB.
AfDB reviews submissions from universities, prepares and approves the final list.
AfDB contacts selected awardees, and informs the universities.