General
Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina Reassures Mak of AfDB Support
The President of African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina has reassured Makerere of his institution’s support in implementing the University’s 10 year strategic plan (2020-2030) that seeks to make it research-led. Dr. Adesina made the remarks at a meeting with the Chairperson of Council, Mrs. Lorna Magara and University Management on Friday 21st May 2021 ahead of the fifth session of the 71st Graduation Ceremony where he received the Honorary Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) of Makerere University.
In his welcome remarks to the AfDB President and his delegation, which included Equity Bank CEO, James Mwangi, Prof. Nawangwe congratulated Dr. Adesina upon his Honorary Doctorate Award in recognition of his exemplary service to the people of Africa in various capacities.
“Makerere University has also benefited from your visionary leadership in the various positions you have held in different organisations. The building where we are seated is one of the new facilities and labs constructed with the loan from the AfDB to support higher education institutions” remarked Prof. Nawangwe. The meeting was held in the Central Teaching Facility 1 (CTF1) Rotary Peace Centre Boardroom.
The Vice Chancellor further said that AfDB support has helped the University modernise laboratories and establish new ones. This has in turn enabled Makerere to produce vaccines and medicines, including the anti-tick vaccine and diagnostics for management of COVID-19 and other diseases as well as the low cost medical ventilator (Bulamu) to fight COVID-19.
Prof. Nawangwe noted that the increased output of research and innovations by Makerere would help Uganda reduce dependence on imports and upon commercialisation, provide an alternative source of revenue for the university while creating jobs for unemplyed youth. “We need support from our partners and friends to realise this plan.”
In her remarks, the Chairperson of Council Mrs. Lorna Magara congratulated Dr. Adesina upon his award, adding that it was in appreciation of his efforts to emancipate the peoples of Africa and unlock the continent’s potential.
“After today, you are going to be part of the Convocation of Makerere University and so we warmly welcome you and your team and look forward to long interactions” added the Chairperson of Council.
“University education is the most critical thing that any society should do and when it comes to Africa, you find that not more than 9% of our population has access to tertiary education” said Dr. Adesina as he made his remarks.
He noted that the times were changing at a very fast pace with the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and advancements being made in the fields of artificial intelligence, big data, robotics, nanotechnology and biotechnology required us all to invest more in science and technology.
“If there is any place that I will gladly support without thinking twice, it will be Makerere University because it has first grade faculty members, it is a university that is focused on development, it is a university that thinks of not just its country; this is a global university that just happens to be in Africa.
“And so Mr. Vice Chancellor I just want to say that the campaign for you to receive more support from the African Development Bank is a campaign that has been made many years ago and that has been successful and so my answer is yes” remarked Dr. Adesina to thunderous applause from the members of Management in attendance.
Members present included; the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)-Dr. Umar Kakumba, Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Dr. Josephine Nabukenya, Ag. University Secretary-Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, University Bursar-Mr. Evarist Bainomugisha, Director Research and Graduate Training-Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza, Director ICT Support-Mr. Samuel Mugabi, Director Gender Mainstreaming-Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine, Ag. Dean of Students-Mrs. Winifred Kabumbuli, Principal College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)-Prof. Bernard Bashaasha and representative of the Director Estates and Works-Mr. Darius Muwanguzi.
By Moses Lutaaya
The Directorate of Graduate Training (DGT) has in collaboration with Centre for Teaching and Learning completed the training of the first cohort of Graduate Supervisors.
Participants were academic staff from two colleges namely, College of Engineering, Art and Design (CEDAT) and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES).
The three-day training that took place at the Telepresence Centre, Senate Building ended on Friday 20thJune 2025.
In his closing remarks to the participants, the Director of Graduate Training Prof. Julius Kikooma said, “This is the first cohort we are working together with the Center for Teaching and Learning to put together continuous professional development Program so that we are able to enforce the new teaching and learning policy.”
He said that before lecturers are allocated students for supervision, they must first go through this form of formal teaching and learning training to equip them thoroughly with certification required of supervision of graduate students.
“We are coming up with process to ensure that the certificates earned by participants allow you to supervise graduate students. This is the direction of the university and we must ensure that such trainings are concluded and completed successfully by all participants”, Prof. Kikooma.
“We can only have you certified upon completing all the exercises in the training process. This is when you will be eligible to receive the work load for supervision”, He added.
“This training of Supervisors is going to be continuous so that all academic staff in colleges and schools are equipped. This first cohort is going to be our building block to the future trainings in the colleges.”
With such capacity building trainings, Prof. Kikooma said that the university is on the right path to achieving its targets in the new strategic plan of increasing the number of graduate students while progressively reducing the under graduate students.
He further hinted that, “We are in the process of writing a curriculum on this, which will be presented for approval before it is rolled out.”
He echoed all participants to share the knowledge they have acquired adding, “Share all you have learnt, do not keep it. Be open minded, have proper communication channels and the sky will be the limit for you.”
Dr. Robinah N. Kulabako, The Head of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at CEDAT welcomed the training adding, “This training is very pertinent. I have had the opportunity to supervise Masters and PhD students for over 15 years and I must say that the need to be subjected to this training cannot be over emphasized because there is need to learn, unlearn and relearn many aspects involved in the supervision process.”
She added, “We are moving towards knowledge-based supervision rather than experience-based supervision. This means we must be informed and equipped to be able to advise, guide and mentor to be able to lead a successful supervision journey for both supervisor and supervisee.”
Dr. Andrew Gilbert Were – a lecturer at CEDAT and a participant said, “It is important that all supervisors of graduate students receive this certification from Makerere University through a systematic training process that enables them to attain diverse skills to facilitate learning of graduate students from diverse cultures and with unique set of circumstances.”
“This training is long overdue. In fact, it was an oversight that we could be allowed to supervise students without undergoing supervisors’ training.”
Dr. Dorothy Ssebowa, The Director Centre for Teaching and Learning support- CEES said, “The training this time round has had a mix of early career professionals including Lecturers, Supervisors and Professors share experiences. We have learnt a lot more from experienced supervisors who have shared practices on how they have done supervision over the years.”
“The knowledge and experience-based approaches have made this collaboration very active, interactive and learner centered which has resulted into a collaborative learning from the interdisciplinarity of staff from CEDAT and CAES. The issue now is to continue with professional development across all levels.” She added.
The Makerere University Directorate of Graduate Training (DGT) in collaboration with the Centre for Teaching and Learning completed the training of the first cohort of Graduate Supervisors. This activity was supported by the iCARTA – Institutionalization of Advanced Research Training in Africa, a NORHED II Project at Makerere University.
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