Agriculture & Environment
Mak Wins Two Sida EfD 2021 Grants Worth USD 144,918
By Jane Anyango
A team of researchers from Makerere University led by Dr. Aisha Nanyiti and Dr. Fred Matovu have won two of the Environment for Development Initiative (EfD ) 2021 Grants worth USD 144,918 funded by Sida.
The two collaborative projects involving Makerere University, the University of Dar es Salaam Tanzania and Total Uganda were officially launched by the Principal College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) Assoc. Prof. Eria Hisali on behalf of university management on 18th August, 2021.
The blended function was held phyisically and online at the EfD-Mak Conference room in the Central Teaching Facility 2 (CTF2) and graced by partners from EfD Tanzania, and Dr. Franklin Amuakwa-Mensah the EfD Research Manager, responsible for administrating the EfD research fund at the EfD Global Hub in Sweden.
The USD 55,747 project titled, “A Randomized Control Trial (RCT) on the Adoption of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Cooking Technology among Fast Food (Chapati) Vendors in Uganda”, is being spearheaded by Dr. Aisha Nanyiti as the Principal Investigator (PI) assisted by three Co-PIs Dr. Fred Matovu, Dr. Suzan Kavuma and Mr. Richard Ssebagala.
Dr. Nanyiti said, whereas Biomass is predominantly the energy used for cooking by households and food vendors in Africa, the technologies burden women and pose negative health and economic effects.
The PI reported that these technologies lead to deforestation which poses a risk to the environment and contributes to climate change.
She observed that there are cleaner technologies like LPG available on market but the question is adoption.
“The main objective of this study is to assess the effect of hire purchase schemes and health and safety information on adoption of LPG. Specifically, this study seeks to examine the impact of information on health and safety benefits,Hire purchase, Learning from LPG use in grace period before purchase amortization, and Peer learning on adoption of LPG stoves by chapati vendors for their businesses”, Dr. Aisha Nanyiti stated.
To achieve the objective Dr. Nanyiti said the study will employ a RCT in Kampala, three treatment arms (Treatment A- information only, Treatment B-information + hire purchase and Treatment C-information + grace period learning+ hire-purchase) and also carry out Surveys (Baseline., Endline, Follow-up surveys and Peer learning interviews)
The second project worth USD 89,171 titled, “Gender differences in COVID-19 effects on food security and adaptive strategies among the urban poor: Experiences from Uganda and Tanzania”, is being led by Dr. Fred Matovu assisted by Mr. Fred Kasalirwe, Dr.Razack Lokina and Byela Tibesigwa
“The aim of the study is to understand the impacts of the pandemic on the food situation of the households under different COVID-19-related movement restrictions, the coping strategies and the gender dimension” the PI said
Dr. Matovu said the study seeks to understand the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on food security among the urban poor and how this vary across gender.
The study will also explore the effect of COVID-19 disruptions on food affordability and consumption among urban poor and their gender dimension and how the urban poor cope with the effects of food security shocks during COVID-19 pandemic across gender.
The study methodology according to Dr. Matovu will involve the use of both primary and existing national household surveys, collection of primary data on a sample of households in Kampala and Dar es Salaam to establish the effects of COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdown measures on the food security and the coping measures adopted and how these varies by gender.
Dr. Matovu also explained that to analyse the effects of COVID-19 on food security, they will estimate the extent to which the COVID-19 crisis has affected the food security using dummies capturing the varying degrees of income loss due to the pandemic
Launching the two projects, the Principal CoBAMS Assoc. Prof. Eria Hisali congratulated the grantees for making Makerere University proud by winning the highly competitive studies.
“It is a clearly deserved win, the effort you put in has been rewarded and it is our sincere hope that you will continue putting in the effort you have put in up to the very end and you should not relax at this stage.
The Director EfD-Mak centre and the team at the secretariat, we want to say thank you. We see the results of your efforts. I have been part of these activities and it has been one of those centre where we can see clear results”, the Principal commended.
Dr. Hisali hailed the grantees for initiating the collaborative studies appealing to the collaborating institutions that this should the starting point of engaging in bigger collaborations.
He said the two studies have clear huge potential for policy whether looking at coping with effects of COVID-19 and hazardous effects of the current used energy imploring grantees to bring on board policy makers as quickly as possible to have their insights so as to quicken the uptake.
“Here we are in the middle of two things. We want to come up with very good research results used with rigorous techniques but we also want to use research in in a way that will keep policy makers on board , to appreciate what is taking place and they have a full believe that these are results that they can rely on to implement policy,” Dr. Hisali said.
Dr. Hisali also expressed the need for staff and graduate students to be brought on board to learn the new techniques and tools being used in these studies. He expressed commitment to provide administrative support that the center and researchers would require.
The Director EfD-Mak Centre Prof. Edward Bbaale welcomed participants to the launch saying, the two projects are funded by the Sida at the EfD Global Hub in Sweden .
Prof. Bbaale said the center had already received the funding for the two projects and congratulated the two PIs and their teams for emerging as winners of the EfD grants of the year 2021.
“I want to thank the EfD Secretariat for considering to fund this policy oriented research projects. The PIs went through a competitive process starting with developing concept notes which we discussed locally here at the EfD-Mak centre and also at the EfD Tanzania and then sent to EfD Secretariat for consideration and the two grantees were invited to develop full proposals”, Prof. Bbaale explained.
Prof. Bbaale said Dr. Aisha Nanyiti’s project will take one year and that of Dr. Fred Matovu is unique in the sense that it is a collaboration between EfD-Mak center and EfD Tanzania.
“EfD encourages collaborative research between centers and also between the South and the North. EfD-Mak is leading the project and it will require a transfer of part of the resources from Makerere University to the University of Dares salaam,” Prof. Bbaale said.
Research Manager EfD secretariat Dr. Franklin Amuakwa-Mensah congratulated the fund recipients for being successful. He explained that the fund acquisition process undergoes three processes involving concept note,full proposal writing and presentation. He encouraged centers to link up to have additional funds.
He said the EfD has a Swedish grant for applied research capacity for sub-Saharan Africa where the fund is allocated to all centers in Africa to encourage them do research relating to a particular country.
The other fund he said is for other countries and open to other centers together with those in Africa and the idea is to encourage collaboration across countries.
In addition he said, there is a collaborative research program fund covering different aspects including energy, gender, carbon emissions among others to encourage collaboration across countries.
He said the global hub released money for this financial year late due to the closure of the five year term for the EfD and drafting of new programs that involved so many bureaucracies.
“Because of the delay, the projects which are supposed to end this year 2021 will be extended to next year .
To enable unsuccessful applicants a chance to get funding and to make centers more vibrant, Dr. Amuakwa-Mensah reported that some centers have devised a strategy of encouraging only successful winners to apply for funds with previous successful grantees participating as a team .
He encourage centers to have research committees that can scrutinize and select the best proposals for submissions for funding.
Jane Anyango is the Principal Communication Officer, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)
Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on 19th July 2024 endorsed the Memorandum of Understanding between Makerere University and Oregon State University to collaborate in different aspects of academics. The MoU signing ceremony was witnessed by members of staff from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) namely; Dr Revocatus Twinomuhangi, Dean, School of Forestry, Environmental, and Geographical Sciences; Dr Lawrence Orikiriza Head, Department of Forestry, Biodiversity and Tourism; and Prof. Jim Ayorekire from the same department. Oregon State University was represented by Dr Ian E. Munanura, an Associate Professor in the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, College of Forestry, and Ms. Racheal Fahrenbach, Manager International Programs at the College of Forestry. At Makerere, the MoU will be implemented by the Department of Forestry, Biodiversity and Tourism under the leadership of Prof. Jim Ayorekire. At Oregon State University, it will be implemented by the College of Forestry.
Under the MoU, the two institutions have agree to mutually promote the following programmes, based on their respective academic and educational needs; i) Exchange of scholars and faculty staff, ii) Exchange of undergraduate and graduate students for research and study, iii) Exchange of academic information and materials, iv) Joint research activities and publications, v) Participation in conferences and academic meetings vi) Joint running of short-term academic programs, vii) Resource mobilization in respect of areas of mutual interest, and any other areas which may promote their mutual interests.
During the ceremony, the Vice Chancellor noted that programmes agreed on in the MoU were in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, and would greatly advance Makerere’s aspiration to become a research-led University. “As we move towards becoming a research-led University, we aim to contribute to the realization of Agenda 2063 which seeks to have Africa produce at least one million PhDs as one of the measures to eradicate poverty from the continent. Partnerships like this will help us achieve our target, by building our supervision capacity,” he explained, pledging support towards the implementation of the MoU.
Dr Ian Munanura on behalf of Oregon State University expressed gratitude to work with Makerere, noting that the partnership would strengthen research capacity of the two institutions and support the mentorship of the next generation of scientists to deal with the challenges facing humanity including climate change and unemployment.
About the Department of Forestry, Biodiversity and Tourism at Makerere
The Department of Forestry, Biodiversity, and Tourism under the School of Forestry, Environmental, and Geographical Sciences at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University offers programmes namely; Bachelor of Science in Conservation Forestry and Products Technology; Bachelor of Social and Entrepreneurial Forestry; and Master of Science in Agroforestry. Specific courses offered under those programmes include; Agroforestry Systems, Practices And Technologies; Drylands Agroforestry; Advanced Community Forestry; Gender Issues In Forestry; Advanced Biodiversity Conservation; Ecophysiology and Agronomy; Forestry For Rural Development; Natural Resource Management; Tropical Forest Ecology And Management; Forestry Business Management; Entrepreneurship In Forestry; Forestry And Food Security; Indigenous Knowledge in Resource Management; Biomass Energy Production and Conservation; Land Use Planning and Watershed Management; Forest Planning and Development; Forest Ecosystems and Livelihoods; and Forest Planning and Development. The Department also conducts a wide range of research in the fields highlighted above. The training offered exposes graduates from the department to a wide range of employment opportunities.
About the College of Forestry, Oregon State University
The Oregon State University College of Forestry is an internationally recognized leader that is transforming education, research and policy for managing and sustaining working forest ecosystems in the 21st century. The College offers a world-class education that provides a wide variety of opportunities following graduation. Academic excellence is the hallmark of the College of Forestry programs at Oregon State University. Ranked as one of the premier forestry schools in the world, students find a variety of programs that offer broad education, rigorous depth and professional focus. The College is known for its collaborative research approach to advance knowledge and bring solutions to issues facing forest landscapes and ecosystems. It takes pride in creating new and innovative approaches to help partners enhance people’s lives while improving the health of lands, businesses and vital ecosystems.
Agriculture & Environment
Mak, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology Sign Collaboration Agreement
*****Under the MoU, the two institutions will among other activities, collaborate in the areas of teaching and learning, research and publication, technology transfer, and resource mobilization in respect of areas of mutual interest.
Makerere University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST) to formalize collaboration. Under the agreement, the two institutions intend to leverage each other’s respective strengths, experience, technologies, methodologies, and resources to achieve shared and complementary goals. Areas of cooperation will include; i) Mobilization of resources in respect of areas of mutual interest, ii) Conducting research, publishing research findings, and promoting outreach to the relevant state and non-state actors, iii) Exchanging academic and technical information including transfer of technology between the two institutions within acceptable institutional structures and policies, iv) Staff and student exchanges, v) Strengthening networking and identifying partnership opportunities between the two institutions/parties, and vi) Organizing and participating in joint academic activities such as seminars, workshops and conferences in respect of areas of mutual interest. The two institutions are also in negotiations to establish an African climate school to strengthen research and training in atmospheric science/ meteorology.
On 12th July 2024, representatives from the two institutions met at Makerere University to sign the MoU and further deliberate on the proposed areas of collaboration. Besides the other proposed areas of collaboration, the meeting held at the School of Forestry, Environmental, and Geographical Sciences (SFEGS) discussed the Reverse 2+2 programme proposal, a joint education programme collaboratively designed by both parties. The programme is implemented in two phases. Phase one covers the first two years, during which students undertake full-time studies at a foreign institution, completing prescribed courses (earning transcripts from the foreign institution) and meeting admission requirements of NUIST. Phase two spans the next two years, with students studying full-time at NUIST. Upon completing the required courses, practical activities, and graduation projects offered by NUIST, students will receive a graduation diploma from NUIST and a bachelor’s degree from both institutions. At Makerere University, the MoU will be implemented by the School of Forestry, Environmental and Geographical Sciences, and will be coordinated by Dr Alex Nimusiima, Senior Lecturer and Coordinator of the Meteorology Unit. At NUIST, the programme will be managed by Dr. Yueyue Yu, Professor of school of Atmospheric Science.
In his remarks presented by the Dean, School of Forestry, Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Dr Revocatus Twinomuhangi, Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe pledged support to ensure successful implementation of the programme. “The field of atmospheric science/ meteorology, the main focus of this cooperation, is very important especially for our country Uganda which depends mainly on rain-fed agriculture and also in this era of climate change where strengthening this discipline will be important for successful adaptation and mitigation of climate change,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of partnership in fostering Makerere’s aspiration of becoming a research-University.
Commenting on the MoU, the Vice President Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology committed to support the programme with hope that it will serve as a role model in the educational cooperation between Uganda and China.
About NUIST
Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST), founded in 1960 and renamed from Nanjing Institute of Meteorology in 2004, was designated as one of the national key institutions of higher education in 1978. NUIST is co-constructed by the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) and the Ministry of Education. In 2017, NUIST was on the list of China’s “Double First-class” construction universities and disciplines as well as Jiangsu high level universities. Currently, NUIST has about 35800 full-time students, including 28,300 undergraduate students, 6,200 postgraduate students and 1,300 international students. There are more than 2,000 full-time faculty members, with more than 120 high-end scholars including academicians of Chinese, EU, French, and Russian Academies of Sciences, MOE Special Professors and National Distinguished Young Scholars.
NUIST has established cooperative relationship with over 100 overseas universities and colleges from over 30 countries and regions including Yale University, Harvard University, the University of Reading, the University of Manchester, South East Technological University, Carlton University, Delft University of Technology, Macquarie University and Monash University. To date, the WMO Regional Training Centre Nanjing at NUIST has trained over 4,300 senior meteorological and hydrological professionals for 158 countries and regions and become the world’s largest training centre of top quality. Diversified cooperation modes with worldwide first-class universities is a characteristic of NUIST’s international cooperation, among which to establish joint research institutes is the most effective one.
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