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Extension of Swedish Support to Ugandan Public Universities for Research

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Today, 14th May 2020, amidst all odds resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic that has turned the world upside down, I witnessed a moment of joy where Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice-Chancellor representing Makerere University and H.E. Ambassador Per Lindgärde, representing Sweden signed an amendment to the Specific Agreement of the Uganda-Sweden Research Training Partnership program, July 2020-June 2022. Hon Matia Kasaijja, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development signed the general Agreement on behalf of the Government of Uganda.

As you are aware, for the last 20-years, Makerere and Uganda in general have continued to enjoyed the generosity of the Royal Government and people of Sweden. To-date, we have received a total 814 MSEK (over USD $100 million). Tremendous achievements have been made including the creation of an environment conducive to high quality relevant research through investment in human resource development, ICT, library resources, and infrastructure development at Makerere and four Partner Public Universities, namely Kyambogo, Gulu, Busitema and Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

It is heartwarming to report that following a successful appraisal of our result-based management outputs and financial discipline, the Royal Government of Sweden has granted us a 2-year prolongation/extension. The prolongation comes with an additional budget support of 45 million SEK (USD 4.5 million; equivalent to UGX 18billion).

H.E. Per Lindgärde (Right) and Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (Left) show off the Signed specific Agreement

On behalf of the University Management, I convey our sincere gratitude to the Government and people of Sweden for the financial and material support that has helped to transform the research culture, capacity and quality of research outputs from Makerere University and its Partner Public Universities.

As the Program Coordination Office, DRGT will strive to attain the intended outcomes by applying the key  principles of human rights based approach in its operations, namely transparency, accountability,
participation and non – discrimination.

Sincere appreciation goes to the Principal Investigators (PIs) and researchers that were involved in preparing documents and proposals for this prolongation phase. A lot of work went into this.

Specifically, I wish to thank the Vice Chancellor for the patronage and support; the Government and People of Sweden for this substantial funding; and the entire University Management for creating an enabling environment at Makerere University where all this is happening.

We look forward to an exciting two years ahead.

Article by Professor Buyinza Mukadasi, Director, DRGT, Makerere University

 

Please see Downloads for the Press Release

Mark Wamai

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Research

CARTA Graduate Dr. Drago on Advancing Research in Infectious Diseases

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Dr. Kato Charles Drago at work in the Lab. Photo: CARTA.

In our latest ‘Stories of Change’ feature, CARTA graduate, Kato Charles Drago, cohort 3, Makerere University shares his journey from an early-career scientist to a leading expert in infectious disease in Uganda. His work focuses on biomarkers for zoonotic diseases, securing over $5 million in research funding, and establishing a biosafety level 2 lab for high-impact research at Makerere. Beyond his research, Kato is mentoring the next generation of African scientists and strengthening regional collaborations.

Read the full story here

Source: CARTA Newsletter Issue 85

Mark Wamai

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General

CARTA Fellow Dr. Wandera Receives Research Excellence Award

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Right to Left: Prof. James Wokadala, Prof. Edward Bbaale, Dr. Allen Kabagenyi, Dr. Stephen Ojiambo Wandera, Dr. Patricia Ndugga and Ms. Namugenyi Christabellah. Convocation Luncheon, 75th Graduation Ceremony, Day 2, CoBAMS, CHS and CoNAS. 14th January 2025, Research, Teaching, Students Excellence Awards, Edge Road, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

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 75th 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

Mark Wamai

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Education

Mapping Research in Education: A Baseline Study on PhD Completion and Emerging Research Themes

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The Deputy Principal CEES, Prof. Ronald Bisaso presents canidadates for the conferment of degrees during the Second Session of Makerere University's 72nd Graduation Ceremony on 24th May 2022.

This report on mapping research in education intends to ignite debate on completion of doctoral studies to improve on doctoral throughput, and reflect on emerging research themes in order to strengthen and increase on evidence-based research from the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) that can address a myriad of education related challenges in Uganda and beyond. The College of Education and External Studies (CEES) is one of the ten (10) constituent colleges of Makerere University. Makerere University aspires to be research-led in the current strategic period, 2020-2030 and as CEES journeys ‘Towards a Research-led College’, it is prudent to take stock of research capacity by analyzing PhD graduates of the period 2012-2024 and continuing PhD students admitted by 2022/2023 as well as the emerging research themes in CEES.

First, the total number of PhD completers was 121 in the period 2012-2024 out of whom only six (6) completed in less than 5 years, which is only 5 percent. This is a worrying statistic since at Makerere University, an institutional average of 41% of registered PhD students is reported to complete within four (4) years. Apparently, majority of the completers in CEES complete in 5-9 years represented by 86 PhD graduates. In the same way, among the continuing PhD students, only 59 out of 194 PhD students have spent 3-4 years on the programme perhaps because their year of admission is relatively recent. Second, the research themes that the doctoral research focuses on were explored. Nineteen (19) out of 121 PhD graduates had researched on human resource management, eleven (11) focused on technology in education, eleven (11) on pedagogy/teaching and learning, and only five (5) on inclusive education among others. In the continuing student cohort, there is a surge in students researching on pedagogy /teaching and learning (24), technology in education (20), inclusive education (16), and emergence of a research theme on STEM Education/TVET (17) out of 194 continuing PhD students.

To compound the research themes at CEES, PhD student and academic staff research funded by the Government of Uganda through Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (MakRIF) focused on quite similiar themes. Finally, areas of research that have been dominant across specialities in CEES in the last and next 5-10 years were highlighted by 28 academic staff at different ranks who responded to a survey. Overall, this report presents us with an opportunity to further reflect on the CEES Research Agenda, how to tap and maximize the potential of expertise in CEES, how to harness the diverse PhD research in education and research by academic staff in order to strongly generate impactful research and innovations, and contribute to policy and practice through policy briefs, knowledge briefs, and guidelines for uptake in education and the education system.

Ronald Bisaso, PhD. FUNAS.
Associate Professor of Higher Education and Deputy Principal, CEES.

Mak Editor

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