General
Mr. Ssanyu Hands over HR Role to Dr. Davis Malowa Ndanyi
Mr. Ssanyu Lawrence who has served as Acting (Ag.) Director Human Resources (HR) since April 2020 on Tuesday 1st June, 2021 officially handed over office to the incoming Director, Dr. Davis Malowa Ndanyi. The ceremony held in the Director’s Office; Room 3.1, Central Teaching Facility 1 (CTF1), was witnessed by the Director Internal Audit, Mr. Walter Yorac Nono and Principal Human Resource Officers, Mr. Mujuni Deus Tayari and Mr. Lebo Julius.
In his handover remarks, Mr. Ssanyu appreciated the Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Ag. University Secretary and members of University Management for the cooperation, guidance and support accorded to him since his appointment as Acting Director. He equally paid tribute to staff in the Directorate for the cooperation and support that ensured that the Directorate continued carrying out its mandate his acting tenure.
He welcomed Dr. Ndanyi to the Directorate of Human Resources and his new office, and pledged his readiness to support him whenever the need arose. “As a member of this Directorate, I am ready and willing to work with and support you whenever you need my services.”
Dr. Ndanyi in his acceptance remarks thanked Mr. Ssanyu for the good work done during his acting tenure, acknowledging that it wasn’t an easy assignment to undertake. “I therefore join others to thank you for a job well done.”
He thanked the University Council through the Appointments Board for giving him the opportunity to serve Makerere University in the capacity of Director, adding that he would do what it takes to move the Human Resources function in Makerere University to greater heights. The incoming Director therefore appealed to the team in the Human Resources Directorate to accord him the same support.
“I call upon all staff in the Directorate to be resilient, collectively work together and collaborate because it is only through collaboration that we can achieve more as the Directorate of Human Resources and as a University” said Dr. Ndanyi.
The incoming Director shared that his method of work is highly consultative, based on an open door policy to HR staff and indeed all staff, and above all else welcoming. He also promised to involve Management in the day-to-day activities of Human Resources to ensure that together, they own decisions arrived at.
The Director Internal Audit thanked Mr. Ssanyu for his service and remarks and appreciated the call by Dr. Ndanyi for collaborative effort. “I welcome you to Makerere University and to the University Management. We look forward to benefitting from your previous experience in public service.”
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.
-
General2 weeks agoStatement on Concerns Circulating Regarding a Member of Academic Staff
-
General1 week agoTimothy Khabusi: From Barefoot Walks to shaping Uganda’s Eye health Future
-
General2 weeks agoBeyond Map Size: Africa’s Agency Should Not Be Funded by Other People
-
Health1 week agoUganda’s HIV Treatment Gains Bring the Youth Gap into Focus
-
Agriculture & Environment1 week agoMakerere University Welcomes 50 Youth Skilling Program trainees under the Africa Climate Collaborative, Supported by Mastercard Foundation