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.
General
Makerere University and Xiangtan University Advance Strategic Partnership in Chemical Engineering
Makerere University and Xiangtan University are set to update their close to 20-year academic partnership, with a new focus on launching a joint Master’s degree program in Chemical Engineering and expanding student and staff exchange initiatives.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a recent visit by a delegation from Xiangtan University to Makerere University headed by Professor Dingyu Ou, in the company of Mr. Tang Fei and Professor Gilbert Gumshabe, the Chinese and Ugandan Directors of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University respectively.
While addressing the delegation, Professor Nawangwe highlighted that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to diversify academic offerings and contribute to national development through training in Chemical Engineering. Through this new initiative, the University will better prepare graduates for the petrochemical industry and support the country’s industrial growth.
The Vice Chancellor appreciated that the proposed collaboration aims to address Uganda’s growing need for industrial expertise, particularly as the country develops its petroleum sector. The two universities here are working toward a 1+2 training model, which will enable Makerere students to gain practical experience and access advanced laboratory facilities at Xiangtan University.
Professor Nawangwe further reiterated that “our relationship with the people of China, not just for Makerere but also for a big part of Uganda, has been opened wider by the establishment of the Confucius Institute, considering that many other collaborations like one being discussed now have come through this collaboration.”
The head of the Xiangtan delegation, Professor Dingyu Ou, expressed appreciation for the meeting, and acknowledged the history between the institutions. “As mentioned, we have a very long relationship and a very stable friendship between our two universities.”
Professor Ou extended appreciation for the support provided to the Confucius Institute at Makerere, the care shown to his colleagues, and looked forward to the successful start of the Chemical Engineering collaboration.
Assuring the delegation of Makerere’s readiness for the collaboration, Ms. Hawa Ndagire Kajumba the Lead, Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement, Makerere University Advancement Office, aligned with the Vice Chancellor’s emphasis of University goal to have both theory and practice imparted to the students.
She said “the curriculum of the university and Uganda as a whole is moving towards competence-based education training to ensure students are equipped to demonstrate those skills in the actual field, particularly regarding petroleum exploration.”
Ms. Ndagire Kajumba also emphasised a shift in strategy for the partnership office, saying, “we are moving away from just signing MOUs that collect dust, and moving towards those that are more collaborative to benefit our faculty and students, just like this one.”
Professor Gilbert Kumushabe aligned his remarks with those of the Vice Chancellor and Ms. Ndagire Kajumba, and described the method used at Xiangtan University as “actually competence-based teaching.”
Based on his recent visit, Prof. Gumoshabe shared that students in China are divided into groups with dedicated teachers to perform practical, hands-on work beyond the theoretical lecturers. He expressed gladness that the same was being adopted for the Ugandan context.
Both institutions are now working to finalise the specific agreements for the joint degree and exchange programs. Beyond academic training, the collaboration will advance cultural and professional exchange.
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