Makerere University on Thursday 18th March, 2021 held an orientation meeting for International Students in the Central Teaching Facility 2 (CTF2) at the College of Business and Management Sciences. Hosted by the Head, International Office, Ms. Martha Muwanguzi, the event was presided over by Acting (Ag.) Dean of Students, Mrs. Winifred Namuwonge Kabumbuli.

According to the latest Self-Assessment report, Makerere University is home to students from over 40 nationalities; up from 34 in 2020. At 17.8%, students from South Sudan make up the largest percentage of the University’s 895 international student population. The College of Health Sciences (CHS) is a popular choice for international students, who make up 9% of the student population therein.

This is followed by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) with 4% of its student population being international. The Colleges of; Engineering Design Art and Technology (CEDAT), Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Natural Sciences (CoNAS) and Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) each have 3% of their student populations being international .

The College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) has 2% of its student population as international, while the Colleges of; Education and External Studies (CEES) and Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS) as well as the School of Law have 1% international student population.

Welcoming the students, Mrs. Martha Muwanguzi said that they would not only be rewarded with the best education and world class qualifications, but will also be enriched with the cultural diversity and experience.  

“You are taking on a special challenge of studying in a foreign country with a foreign culture. This takes courage and a great deal of commitment! These are of course anxious times for all of us and particularly for you as international students. We are keenly aware of the hardships many of you have had to overcome in order to get where you are today and applaud the determination that you have shown.” she commended.

The Head, International Office further informed the students that Makerere in addition to students receives international scholars and researchers. “Many of our successful research projects are based on international collaborations. Your presence in our programmes and activities strengthens internationalization of our university. We see internationalization as both an opportunity and a mark of quality.”

She pledged together with the Office of the Dean of Students and all Administrative Units to accord them all the necessary support, respond to their concerns as and when they arise, and provide up-to-date information on various situations.

“Do not be quiet or shy if you are facing hardships. We are here to help you. Always observe the health precautions of wearing your face mask, sanitizing your hands regularly and observing social distance. Together, we will emerge stronger beyond the pandemic.” she concluded.

The students were also tipped on how to create their own email addresses using the self-service portal https://sso.mak.ac.ug by Mr. Arthur Opio who represented the Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS). With a personal University email, students are able to sign up on the Makerere University E-Learning Environment (MUELE) and access other services.

Nations Represented at Makerere University

Belgium, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, China, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Liberia, Sierra Leon, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe