The Department of Environmental Management at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Makerere University is introducing the use Case studies as a teaching methodology in order to produce better skilled students.  Case based learning which has gained popularity overtime enables students learn from real life scenarios since it helps development of analytical thinking and identification of solutions to problems.

A stakeholder engagement was convened at Esella Hotel, Thursday 22^nd August 2024, with the objective of defining and explaining the purpose of case studies.  The meeting that brought together selected stakeholders was aimed at enlisting their involvement in case study development and to discuss how effective case studies can benefit all the stakeholders involved. 

Prof. John Tabuti, the Principal Investigator said the project, “Strengthening education and research capacity for enhancing biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resources use (SDG-Partnership) is aimed at creating best practices for university teachers for purposes of teaching conservation sciences. ‘We are looking at improving how teachers deliver the material, creating better capacities among teachers on how to deliver material’, he said while explaining the project background to the participants. He said the meeting was convened to facilitate the process of developing content for teachers but also to enable the teachers to learn how to develop content for the case studies under package one of the ten work packages in the project gaining from the experiences of the participants.

Further, the PI revealed that three staff of Makerere University staff namely Prof. Vincent Muwanika, and Dr. Kenneth Balikowa from the Department of Environmental Management College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, together with Dr. Josephine Esaete from the College of Education and External Studies were undergoing training in case study development and were involved in developing materials. With support from DAAD the staff trained will cascade the skills acquired to other university staff who may want to utilize the case methodology in their teaching.  The project is jointly implemented by Makerere University’s Department of Environmental Management, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Germany, and Central University of Technology, South Africa. It supports staff capacity building in writing and teaching using case study methodology, as well as other work packages in statistical analysis, and geographical information system management.

The meeting which was an interface between the staff getting trained in Case Study materials development and the stakeholders who are the sources of actual cases was attended by representatives from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Uganda Wild Life Authority, specifically Mt. Elgon conservation area, Pallisa District Local Government among others.  The meeting gained consensus on the proposed cases to be developed from the experiences around the Kiteezi events of 10^th August, 2024 in the area of governance, and environmental planning, the Lubigi wetland restoration efforts and the Mt. Elgon conservation area focusing on the conflict with the Benet communities.

Dr. Kenneth Balikowa one of the staff undergoing the training observed that Makerere University policy on teaching and learning allows a lot of flexibility and the policy direction was that staff and units find ways of operationizing the policy.  ‘Such projects are helping us. Once trained, we shall be able to translate this knowledge to other staff from different colleges who may utilize the case methodology in delivering parts of the course’, he observed.

The Principal of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine has advised incoming students admitted under the AFRISA program to utilize the opportunity before them by gaining skills that will help them transform their lives and the community.

The advice was delivered in a message by the Head of the Department of Livestock and Industrial Resources (LIR) Dr. Dorothy Nampanzira who represented the Principal at an event organized to orient the new students admitted on programs in the different industrial value chains offered by Makerere University under the AFRISA program, tenable at CoVAB on Wednesday 21^st August 2024.

Students were admitted on a number of industrial value chains that include;

1.  Education and Industry
2. Poultry Industry and Business
3. Dairy Industry and Business
4. Feed Industry and Business
5. Leather Industry and Business
6. Pig Industry and Business
7. Meat Industry and Business
8. Bee Industry and Business 
9. Fish Industry and Business
10. Wildlife Industry and Business

‘Makerere University is a brand. You are going to get quality education and your coming here was the right decision and the right choice’ said Dr. Nampanzira, while addressing the students that will offer certificate and Diploma programs.  While making reference to the content of the Makerere University Anthem that among other things states that We build for The Future, the she advised the incoming students to aim at acquiring the skills that will help them become job creators rather than job seekers. Try your best to transform yourself and become what you desire to be.  The knowledge here is for you to be the best version of yourselves.

Dr. Nampanzira said the world today is faced with a scarcity of jobs, with many people seeking employment opportunities and many governments struggling with job creation. The courses of your choice at CoVAB will enable you become job creators and you will be able to employ other people hence providing solutions to such global challenges. She said by coming to the university you are your own job creator and so take up the opportunities availed at the institution.  She informed the students that Makerere University was a place of discovery with potential for growth from various angles and encouraged them to make use of the resources like the Library, the sports facilities, the University Hospital as well as the counselling and guidance center in case of need.

 In the area of academics, Dr. Nampanzira urged to students to demand for their rights to getting taught and be vigilant to ensure that they get value for their money. She explained the options available for career growth from certificate to Ph.D. and asked them to aim high, irrespective of their current program.

_{By Bernard Buteera}

Tuesday, August 20, 2024, was a joyful day for the 100 newly recruited Mastercard Foundation Scholars at Makerere University. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, officially recognized them as scholars and confirmed their status at a vibrant Scholarship Award Ceremony.

During the lively event, Prof. Nawangwe didn’t just officiate, he inspired. He urged the new scholars to not just be students, but to strive to become valuable citizens of Uganda and the African continent.

“Makerere University is not just any university; it is one of the best in Africa. It is a top choice for many young people seeking higher education in Africa. Therefore, take advantage of this unique opportunity to be at Makerere and strive to become valuable citizens of Uganda and Africa as a whole,” remarked Prof. Nawangwe.

Prof. Nawangwe also expressed profound gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation for its transformative support of young people in Africa through higher education funding, a beacon of hope in the face of significant obstacles to accessing quality university education.

“I want to take this opportunity once again to thank our valued partner, the Mastercard Foundation, for providing scholarships for the second time as part of phase two. This support helps young people access quality university education at Makerere University. In the first phase, we exceeded the target of educating 1000 scholars by educating 1,032. This time, too, we should aim to surpass the target,” pointed out Prof. Nawangwe.

Speaking at the same event, Mr. Adrian Bukenya, the Country Director of Mastercard Foundation-Uganda, pledged continuous support to young people in Uganda and Africa through funding higher education and promoting financial inclusion.

“The Mastercard Foundation is unwavering in its commitment to supporting young people in Africa in two key areas: access to higher education and promoting financial inclusion through the Young Africa Works strategy. We are dedicated to empowering young people in these critical areas.” Mr. Bukenya reassured.

Mr Bukenya also expressed gratitude to the University for creating a safe and supportive environment for young people and for reasonable accommodation for those with disabilities.

“I would like to express my gratitude to Prof. Nawangwe and the university’s management for their efforts in creating a safe environment. They have ratified the safeguarding policy and provided reasonable accommodation for young people with disabilities by installing ramps in different buildings to facilitate access,” remarked Mr. Bukenya.

The Chairperson of the Selection Sub-Committee for the Scholars Program at Makerere University, Prof. Ibrahim Okumu, highlighted the challenges faced while recruiting scholars. One of the biggest challenges was selecting a small number of scholars from a large pool of applicants.

“For the academic year 2024/2025, we received over 4,000 applications for 95 available undergraduate slots. Out of these, 1,809 applicants were admitted to Makerere University, with 1,236 being eligible for scholarships – 691 females and 545 males. It was challenging to select only 95 applicants from this pool of eligible candidates.” Prof. Okumu highlighted.

Prof. Justine Namaalwa, the Program Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, congratulated them and encouraged them to take advantage of the Scholarship to achieve their dreams.

“I would like to congratulate each one of you and thank you and your parents for the efforts you put in from primary to high school, which have enabled you to get to where you are today.” Prof. Namaalwa remarked.

Prof. Namaalwa further pledged that the Program Implementation of the Scholars Program will ensure that Scholars are supported to achieve their dreams.

“Together with my colleagues, I am deeply committed to supporting scholars to ensure that they achieve their dreams and career aspirations.” Prof. Namaalwa pointed out.

Speaking on behalf of parents and guardians, Ms. Nakitto Teopista, a mother to one of the students with disabilities, moved the audience to tears as she lamented the struggles she had faced while ensuring that her daughter acquired an education, like all other children.

“I have no words to thank the Mastercard Foundation and Makerere University for this scholarship opportunity, which has given me hope and enabled my daughter to join the university after spending three years out of school,” Ms. Nakitto expressed gratitude.

The three scholars who spoke on behalf of the rest of the scholars, Mr. Nsamba Anthony, Ms. Laja Margaret, and Ms. Atayi Jackline, all expressed gratitude for the scholarship and pledged their commitment to using the opportunity to aspire to achieve their dreams.

The Scholarship Award ceremony is an annual event in which the Vice Chancellor formally hands out Scholarship award letters to newly recruited Mastercard Foundation scholars who will study at Makerere University.

Bernard Buteera is the Communications and Public Relations Officer of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.