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Mak and Stanbic Discuss Partnership beyond Banking

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As Makerere University gears up for celebrations to mark 100 years of existence in the second half of 2022, a team from Stanbic Bank Uganda (SBU) led by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ms. Anne Juuko on Monday 12th April, 2021 held discussions with a special session of Central Management on how to deepen collaboration. Chaired by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the session specifically provided a platform for Stanbic to showcase the non-banking services that Makerere can take advantage of in the quest to become a research-led university.

The special session was prompted by a prior engagements between the Acting (Ag.) Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-DVCFA, Dr. Josephine Nabukenya and Ms. Juuko, wherein the latter expressed SBU’s interest in partnering with Makerere to deliver her ten year strategic objectives. The Vision for the ten year (2020-2030) strategic plan is “a thought leader of knowledge generation for societal transformation and development”.

Makerere University’s first strategic goal to translate into a research-led university requires a lot of thinking through on how the different services can be rehabilitated into frameworks that support our vision” remarked Dr. Nabukenya.

The Ag. DVCFA was speaking in reference to the research and innovations ecosystem that needs to be created to ensure that Makerere’s research will over the next 10 years have demonstrable economic, environmental, health and social impacts.

The Vice Chancellor thanked the Ag. DVCFA for initiating the discussions with SBU, noting that this was timely and would help take advantage of the huge potential that the University has to offer. “Thanks to funding from the Government of Uganda through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) we now have hundreds of innovations produced by the various research teams.”

“Our biggest problem at present is the lack of funds to commercialise these innovations. Uganda has no venture capitalists but I believe that with the resources that you (SBU) have, we can work together to help support these innovators” remarked Prof. Nawangwe.

Prior to making her presentation the CEO thanked Makerere University for the supporting SBU’s business thus far, as well as the ensuring that the two partners enjoy a quality relationship with each successive Management team. “We take extra pride when it comes to working with Makerere University,” she added.

Ms. Juuko said the reorganisation of SBU in 2018 to include a holding company (Stanbic Holdings Uganda Limited-SHUL) had enabled the entity to enhance the value of products and services offered to its customers. In addition to SBU, other SHUL subsidiaries; Stanbic Properties Uganda Limited, Stanbic Business Incubator Limited, FlyHub and SBG Securities. These, she noted, enable Stanbic to offer a broader range of services to staff and students beyond banking.

Reflecting on the signing of the Final Investment Decision (FID) on 11th April 2021, the CEO shared that SBU in line with its support for responsible investment through assessing and managing environmental, social and governance risks would take keen interest in oil production. “One of the hottest topics is that oil mining is going to take place in one of the most ecologically sensitive zones. How can we partner with Makerere to ensure that this is conducted in a sustainable way?” she pondered.

The CEO also brought to the attention of Central Management that SBU had in 2020 partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to launch the Youth4Business Innovation and Entrepreneurial Facility as an answer to youth unemployment. As a way forward, she added that Makerere would be brought on board to form a three-way conversation on how best to achieve the facility’s objectives, especially following disruptions to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operations caused by COVID-19.

Other topics covered by the SBU presentation included; supporting the Makerere University Staff SACCO to grow their funds, Financial Fitness sessions for staff on how best to invest and grow their earnings, and a laptop loan scheme for staff and students where payments can be made over a period of two to three years. Also shared was how SBU is using data to reduce loan approval for customers to 120seconds as well as introducing alternative systems for making payments and receiving collections such as point of sale devices and virtual wallets tagged to customer phone numbers.

In some of the reactions that followed, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)-DVCAA Dr. Umar Kakumba thanked SBU for reaching out to Makerere and advocated for increased internship placements for students in the SHUL subsidiaries. He also called for collaboration at the training level.

“The staff at the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) have in the past conducted financial literacy training for various organisations and are ready to partner with Stanbic as they reach out to various communities in their educational programmes,” added Dr. Kakumba.

Delivering the concluding remarks, the Vice Chancellor thanked the Ag. DVCFA for initiating discussions with SBU as well as the CEO and her team for sparing time to meet with Central Management. “Together, Makerere as the premier and largest University and Stanbic as the largest bank operating in Uganda can do a lot to transform this country.”

The parties agreed to formalise the collaboration by signing Memorandum of Understanding at a later date.

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Application Forms for Admission to Public Universities 2024/2025

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Senate Building

The Academic Registrar, Makerere University informs all Head Teachers of A ‘Level schools that application forms for admission to public universities for senior six candidates (UACE 2023) for the 2024/2025 academic year will be ready for collection from the university from Monday 4th December, 2023.

The application forms should be collected from the Office of the Academic Registrar, Senate Building, Level 3, Makerere University.

Issuing of the application forms will start on Monday, 4th December 2023 on payment of a non-refundable application fee of Uganda Shs. 52,000/=(fifty two thousand Uganda shillings only) per application form.

You are advised to get a pay reference number (PRN) using the ACMIS system (http://pay.mak.ac.ug) to enable you pay the application fees in any bank used by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).

The forms are for Ugandans only.

Please note that only Head Teachers or their authorized representatives will be served.

The closing date for submitting the completed application forms will be Wednesday 31st January, 2024.

Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi
ACADEMIC REGISTRAR

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African Universities urged on developing comprehensive safeguarding policies with critical elements of safety & protection

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Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University presenting a lead paper on “Enhancing Safeguarding at institutions of higher Learning” at the Vice Chancellors’ Forum, a side-event of the 19th RUFORUM AGM held in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Right is Prof. Jude Lubega, the Vice Chancellor Nkumba University. 19th RUFORUM AGM, Theme: “Transforming Higher Education to Sustainably Feed and Create Prosperity for Africa”, 28th October-2nd November 2023 Vice Chancellors' Forum side-event, Palais de Congrès, Yaoundé, Cameroon, Africa.

The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has urged Universities and other institutions of higher learning in Africa to embrace the approach of having comprehensive safeguarding policies where important elements of safety and protection are considered and all the common forms of risk, abuse and harm are emphasized.

This was during the Vice Chancellors’ Forum, one of the high powered side events of the RUFORUM Annual General Meeting that provides significant platforms for Vice Chancellors of all RUFORUM member Universities to engage, discuss, deliberate and guide on how universities, government and development partners can support the RUFORUM vision and mission of becoming a leader in higher agricultural education.

The Vice Chancellors’ Forum 2023  that was held in Yaoundé Cameroon during the 19th RUFORUM Annual General Meeting that proceeded from 28th October- 2nd November 2023 was the most attended ever with over 150 Vice Chancellors from 40 African countries and other parts of the world. The Forum deliberated on emerging and contemporary issues in higher education to strengthen university systems, promote inclusion and enhance the relevance of universities in national and regional development.

Prof. Theresia Nkuo-Akenji, RUFORUM Board Chair and Vice Chancellor University of Bamenda, Cameroon giving her welcome speech. 19th RUFORUM AGM, Theme: “Transforming Higher Education to Sustainably Feed and Create Prosperity for Africa”, 28th October-2nd November 2023 Vice Chancellors' Forum side-event, Palais de Congrès, Yaoundé, Cameroon, Africa.
Prof. Theresia Nkuo-Akenji, RUFORUM Board Chair and Vice Chancellor University of Bamenda, Cameroon giving her welcome speech.

In her welcome speech, Prof. Theresia Nkuo-Akenji, RUFORUM Board Chair and Vice Chancellor University of Bamenda, Cameroon welcomed all Vice chancellors in attendance and acknowledged their strong commitment to the RUFORUM as a Network. She also appreciated the efforts of the Vice Chancellors in setting the agenda for the network to ensure its competitiveness.

According to her, RUFORUM has come of age but growth across every life’s journey comes along with its own challenges and opportunities.  She therefore thanked all the Vice Chancellors that have committed and continue to clear the membership fees in time on annual basis.  “Your contribution of US$5,000 is what keeps the Secretariat operational,” she said.

Prof. Theresia Nkuo-Akenji drew the attention of the Vice Chancellors to some critical issues such as low institutional burn-out rates of grant funding, the terrible completion rate of graduate students across the network, curriculum reviews that do not incorporate innovative academic programmes and policies that do not respond to global discourses. Noting that such issues have posed serious barriers achieving the network’s objectives.

Prof. Openjuru L. George, the Vice-Chancellor of Gulu University (Right) with some of the Vice Chancellors that attended the 2023 Forum. 19th RUFORUM AGM, Theme: “Transforming Higher Education to Sustainably Feed and Create Prosperity for Africa”, 28th October-2nd November 2023 Vice Chancellors' Forum side-event, Palais de Congrès, Yaoundé, Cameroon, Africa.
Prof. Openjuru L. George, the Vice-Chancellor of Gulu University (Right) with some of the Vice Chancellors that attended the 2023 Forum.

She urged all universities to collectively support the RUFORUM Secretariat during resource mobilization. “It is important to note that RUFORUM Secretariat is not a donor as many of the members might perceive it. Rather, RUFORUM Secretariat works with all of us to raise resources that can either be sub-granted and/or directly disbursed by the funding agency to each of the universities that is participating. The Secretariat can support the universities efforts in training and ideation processes as well as brokering partnerships with ease. However, we need to ensure that we are all cooperative,” She stated. Presenting a lead paper titled, Enhancing Safeguarding at institutions of higher Learning, Prof. Nawangwe noted that Makerere University  is committed to being a professionally governed, equitable, inclusive and gender mainstreamed institution. In line with this commitment, Makerere University has cited the need to have a comprehensive safe guarding policy that is intentional in ensuring that important elements of safety and protection are considered and all the common forms of risk, abuse and harm are emphasized.

According to Prof. Nawangwe, over the years Makerere University has built a record of governing and administrative policies and frameworks such as the Makerere University Policy and Regulations against Sexual Harassment, Makerere University Gender Equity Policy, the Student Accommodation Policy, the Risk Management Plan, the  Policy on Persons with Disabilities, the Human Resources Manual as amended, Information and Communication Technology Policy  which addresses issues of cyber security  and abuse and the Open Distance and E-learning Policy. However, these do not adequately and comprehensively address the key elements of safety and protection.

Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, the Vice Chancellor of Uganda Christian University (Right) and Prof. Jude Lubega, the Vice Chancellor of Nkumba University (Left) attending the 2023 Forum. 19th RUFORUM AGM, Theme: “Transforming Higher Education to Sustainably Feed and Create Prosperity for Africa”, 28th October-2nd November 2023 Vice Chancellors' Forum side-event, Palais de Congrès, Yaoundé, Cameroon, Africa.
Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, the Vice Chancellor of Uganda Christian University (Right) and Prof. Jude Lubega, the Vice Chancellor of Nkumba University (Left) attending the 2023 Forum.

“These policies only feature identification and prevention as elements of safeguarding hence guidance on the report procedures are least provided for. They much highlight emotional risk and harm and neglect cyber security threats, financial exploitation, limitation of academic freedoms for staff and students,” he said.  

“All in all, the policies lack some of the internationally considered forms of risk, abuse and harm.  In Africa, we are the second recipients of refugees in the whole world, but we lack anything about protecting refugees in our policies and some of the policies do not have the strategic plans to address any form of risk, abuse and harm,” he added.

He mentioned that the COVID 19 pandemic escalated the issue of mental health with so many cases of mental illnesses globally, an indicator that  it is only in a safe and protected environment that people are mentally healthy to be fully creative and innovative.

The Vice Chancellors Forum 2023 also deliberated on topics such as exploring mechanisms for integrating universities into national and regional innovation systems and aligning African agricultural higher education to the future-of-work on the continent and globally.

Prof. Paul Waako, the Vice Chancellor of Busitema University attending the 2023 Forum. 19th RUFORUM AGM, Theme: “Transforming Higher Education to Sustainably Feed and Create Prosperity for Africa”, 28th October-2nd November 2023 Vice Chancellors' Forum side-event, Palais de Congrès, Yaoundé, Cameroon, Africa.
Prof. Paul Waako, the Vice Chancellor of Busitema University attending the 2023 Forum.

Presenting on behalf of Prof. Bonang Mohale, Chancellor, University of Free State, South Africa, Agnes W. Mwang’ombe, a Professor Emeritus of Plant Pathology- Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection- University of Free State said that university education has become  very competitive  yet it is crucial for universities  to remain ahead and relevant to their clients  and other stakeholders  through inclusive virtual modes that have set in  new dimensions  such as in-house pool of talent that in most cases await to be tapped.  She mentioned that it is high time for Universities to shun away from the rampant blame games of how African graduates are not ready to tackle community challenges and focus on revamping, modifying and creating new systems of conducting research. 

“As universities, we are expected to produce relevant information, knowledge, technologies, and innovations to fulfill aspirations; develop mechanisms to tap on human resource and mobilize research funds for the university. There is need for actual retooling of academic staff to  be able  to harness the various  competences and skills  represented in the universities  including students through  building alliances  and effective  teams to grant calls with wider society impact,” she said.  

In the context of food and nutrition insecurity, Prof. Mwang’ombe noted that the  changing climate  has dwindled natural resources  and increased  social  and economic inequalities hence raising  concerns for more health  food systems and eco-system services. She therefore called for collective efforts towards building resilience for sustainable agriculture and economic empowerment of those most affected by climate change through   bio diversity restoration using natural based solutions.

Some of the Vice Chancellors that attended the 2023 Forum. 19th RUFORUM AGM, Theme: “Transforming Higher Education to Sustainably Feed and Create Prosperity for Africa”, 28th October-2nd November 2023 Vice Chancellors' Forum side-event, Palais de Congrès, Yaoundé, Cameroon, Africa.
Some of the Vice Chancellors that attended the 2023 Forum.

“Food and nutrition is constrained by many factors including the heavy reliance on very few staple crops yet Africa has the diversity of crops some of which can handle some of the current situations,” she noted.

Painting a picture of the Future of Work for a competitive Africa, Prof. Peter Kamwi Matengu, Vice Chancellor, University of Namibia, was concerned about the role of higher education in developing interventions as a mitigating factor towards decreasing jobs in the agricultural sector. According to him, a report published in 2023 by the World Economic Forum recorded 673 million jobs across the globe.  It is however expected that this number will decline by 83 million hence creating a job deficit of about 2%.

“It is not surprising that the field of agriculture which has increasingly been mechanized and automated will lose up to 60% of the jobs. The World Economic Forum report also notes that although the automation in Agriculture will create up to 25% of jobs, it is also expected that 75% of job will be lost in Africa if there is no intervention of up scaling and re scaling. This also means that 44% of the workers whose skills need to be upgraded will face a disruption,” he said.

Prof. Kamwi Matengu called upon universities in Africa to undertake relevant, impactful, responsive research that majorly focus on participation.  “ The kind of research, I am talking about should enable us translate our knowledge into practice  and African education should focus on national self- reliance and train people to be internationally competitive and to be very  aware that we have  the responsibility of the welfare of everyone,”  he emphasized. The Vice Chancellors’ Forum 2023 was moderated by Prof. Roger Tsafack Nanfosso, Vice Chancellor, University of Dschang and Canon Prof. Olivia Nassaka Banja, Vice Chancellor of Ndejje University.

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Call For Expression of Interest: MURBS Independent Trustee (RE-ADVERTISED)

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Front Row (Left to Right): MURBS Trustees Dr. Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi, Mr. George Bamugemereire, CPA Franco Angida Mugyema and Mr. Joseph Ikarokok. MURBS Presentation of Performance FY 2022/2023, 24th October 2023, Telepresence Centre, Level 2, Senate Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda. East Africa.

Makerere University Retirement Benefits Scheme (MURBS) is a Scheme for Makerere University staff. MURBS was established under irrevocable trusts with effect from 1st April 2009. MURBS was set up by Makerere University for the purpose of providing retirement benefits to employees of Makerere University upon retirement from the University. The Scheme is governed by a Board of Trustees whose fiduciary mandate is enshrined under the Trust Deed and Scheme Rules. MURBS is a Mandatory Employer-Based Scheme that is licensed with the Uganda Retirement Benefits Regulatory Authority (License No. RBS.0005).

MURBS is inviting Eligible Individuals to submit their Expression of Interest to join the MURBS Board of Trustees in the capacity of an Independent Trustee.

Eligibility Criteria for the Independent Trustee of MURBS

Individuals interested in this role should satisfy the following Eligiblity Criteria:

a) Meet the MURBS Fit and Proper Criteria (Download the form from the MURBS website at https://murbs.mak.ac.ug/join-our-team/);
b) A minimum of a Postgraduate qualification in any of the disciplines; Strategy Planning and Management; Pension Administration and Management; Finance or Commerce, Investments; Insurance, Statistics, Actuarial Science, Economics, Mathematics, Literature, or Law;
c) At least 3 years’ experience as a member of the Board of Directors of an entity with assets not less than Ushs 50bn or at least 3 years‘ experience as a Trustee of a Retirement Benefits Scheme whose Fund value is not less than Ushs 50 bn; and,
d) Not a member of staff of Makerere University or a member of Makerere University Council in the last five (5) years.

Submission Deadline: 3:00 pm on 19th December 2023.

Detailed Terms of Reference to support response to this call can be accessed via the link: https://murbs.mak.ac.ug/join-our-team/ or by sending an email to info@murbs.mak.ac.ug to request the same.

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