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Mak PIM CoE Acquires Modern Video Conferencing Facility & Furniture Worth USD 77,000

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By Jane Anyango

Makerere University Centre of Excellence in Public Investment Management (PIM CoE) on 4th October, 2021 launched an assortment of IT equipment and furniture worth USD 77,000 (approximately UGX 277million) funded by the World Bank in collaboration with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

The WB and FCDO supported the university with a grant of USD 810,000 to undertake a number of activities including training, research and capacity building at the School of Economics. Part of the capacity building is the procurement of IT equipment and furniture.

The equipment was commissioned by the Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) Prof. Eria Hisali on behalf of the University Management witnessed by representatives from the Government of Uganda and the World Bank online.

Assoc. Prof. Eria Hisali addresses participants before commissioning the equipment.
Assoc. Prof. Eria Hisali addresses participants before commissioning the equipment.

The equipment launched includes a state-of-the-art video conferencing facility theVivitek86” collaborative and interactive flat Novo touch screen that cost USD 34,000. On the screen, you can teach, split and have different people connected to it wirelessly. You can also demonstrate and annotate your presentation on this screen.  The smart board has an inbuilt camera that can zoom in and reset videos at any time.

Other IT equipment launched include12 Computers, 4 laptops, 2 LCD projectors, and an all-in-one printer scanner copier all procured at USD 27,000.

The centre also procured office furniture comprising 5 office desks and 5 office tables, 40 training chairs and 20 training tables and a 20-seater boardroom table all worth USD 16,000.

Interim PIM CoE Manager Dr. Willy Kagarura (L) unveils some of the procured equipment at the PIM CoE as Assoc. Prof. Eria Hisali (R) witnesses.
Interim PIM CoE Manager Dr. Willy Kagarura (L) unveils some of the procured equipment at the PIM CoE as Assoc. Prof. Eria Hisali (R) witnesses.

Launching the equipment, Prof. Eria Hisali appreciated the support received from the World Bank, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Uganda’s Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. He emphasized that this should not be looked at as the end but rather, an ongoing process of strengthening the collaborations for the mutual benefit of all the participating institutions.

Dr. Hisali reported that the university has made progress in terms of inputs into this exercise of establishing the Centre of Excellence and had started taking huge steps away from looking at inputs to focusing on certain outputs and outcomes.

In terms of outputs, the Principal said, there were ongoing studies and efforts to integrate PIM into the curriculum of the university, initiate a new master’s program in investment and economic modelling as well as the training and capacity building that has been undertaken both for staff and officials from other areas of government.

L-R: Dr. Willy Kagarura, Assoc. Prof. Eria Hisali and the PI-Prof. Edward Bbaale tour the PIM CoE office space.
L-R: Dr. Willy Kagarura, Assoc. Prof. Eria Hisali and the PI-Prof. Edward Bbaale tour the PIM CoE office space.

The Principal said, the Makerere has all it takes in terms of staff capacity to undertake studies and was now focused on making the PIM CoE more vibrant and planning for its sustainability.

“The challenge we want to focus on now is to go beyond the outputs we have and even ones that we have conceptualized up to this point.  We need to continue to develop this as a very vibrant centre of excellence, a centre that speaks to its name, actualizes research in other areas as well as contributes to computation of certain key parameters like the shadow prices etc.

But all these issues speak to one important subject of sustainability of our centre beyond the current support being given by the bank and they are going to be a number of ways we want to look at this. In our previous engagement, we started discussions with the bank on the possibility of additional support but we will also be looking at other avenues of ensuring that the activities of the centre continue”, Dr. Hisali explained.

Assoc. Prof. Eria Hisali (C), Prof. Edward Bbaale (2nd L), Dr. Willy Kagarura (R) and other officials inspect some of the procured furniture.
Assoc. Prof. Eria Hisali (C), Prof. Edward Bbaale (2nd L), Dr. Willy Kagarura (R) and other officials inspect some of the procured furniture.

He said the university has resources from the Government of Uganda through the Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) and a college scheme to support small studies that the centre can benefit from.

The Principal Investigator PIM CoE Prof. Edward Bbaale who is also Dean School of Economics described the day’s event as remarkable in the history of the school as well as the PIM CoE and extended gratitude to the World Bank, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Government of Uganda for the support.

Prof. Bbaale said the World Bank and FCDO extended a grant of USD 810,000 to establish the centre of excellence as a response to the fact that so much of public investments were going to waste.

He reported that for every dollar that was being invested, only 38 cents or less was realized meaning 60% was lost. As a result, Prof. Bbaale said many strategies were designed to make sure that when government invests, public resources will gain the maximum out of a very dollar invested.

The PI, Prof. Edward Bbaale (L) speaks during the unveiling of procured equipment.
The PI, Prof. Edward Bbaale (L) speaks during the unveiling of procured equipment.

One of the interventions according to the PI was to build capacity on a sustainable basis in a premier institution like Makerere University thus the establishment of the PIM CoE to undertake training in public investment management.

Prof. Bbaale explained that public investment management goes beyond financial analysis of projects to the complex economic analysis of projects.

The Professor said, the computations that are involved in the economic analysis of projects are not only very complicated but also lacking, due to limited capacity in government and universities.

He added that the ongoing intervention is to make sure that this work can be done not only by staff but also graduate students equipped with the required knowledge.

The PI, Prof. Edward Bbaale (L) said the PIM CoE would build capacity on a sustainable basis.
The PI, Prof. Edward Bbaale (L) said the PIM CoE would build capacity on a sustainable basis.

He said the World Bank and FCDO grant has been used for training staff and other stakeholders in impact evaluation methodologies and public investment management and many are lined up including university staff capacity building training slated for November in Ghana.

“What we have done today is one of those things the grant has enabled us to fulfill. We have acquired one of the newest video conferencing facilities at Makerere University that will go a long way in facilitating online learning, online conferencing and online research which is open to be used by the university community.

The World Bank in collaboration with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has also facilitated us to buy laptops and computers and we have been able to furnish an office with an interim manager. We have a conference table and chairs for training participants and Wi-Fi-enabled projectors which do not need to physically connect to the laptop, but can pick the information on the laptop and project” Prof. Bbaale reported.

The Interim Manager PIM CoE Dr. Willy Rwamparagi Kagarura said, the project aim is to establish a centre of excellence as a training facility that can contribute towards strengthening public investment management in the country. 

An IT personel walks participants through some of the interactive smart board's features using an iPad.
An IT personel walks participants through some of the interactive smart board’s features using an iPad.

“Out of the USD 810,000, around USD 626,000 (77.3%) has been disbursed. Strategically, this was to sustainably build Capacity in PIM by addressing three areas namely training, research and advising government all aimed at improving returns on public investments.

We targeted to a PIM Centre of Excellence with a pool of experts both physically and structurally. We want to build capacity at the CoE and School of Economics. We are developing Curriculum and training materials to make this a reality.  We are to train technical staff at the Ministries, Departments and Agencies  and Local Governments, then we have an outreach program where we are doing research and studies after which mainstream PIM into University Economics Curriculum”, Dr. Kagarura said.

Besides the acquisition of the IT equipment and furniture, Dr. Kagarura said the centre has moved fast and trained 37 members comprising  staff, students and government officials in impact evaluation methodologies, and drafted the Strategic Plan ready for validation and final print.

PIM CoE Interim Manager Dr. Willy Kagarura presents the project achievements.
PIM CoE Interim Manager Dr. Willy Kagarura presents the project achievements.

Using local curriculum, Dr. Kagarura reported that the centre has trained 45 MDA staff in the first process of a project cycle on how to develop a concept, profile and how to put it in the Integrated Bank of Projects.

The centre according to manager has also trained 10 lecturers to increase capacity for long-term PIM training, drafted the curriculum in Masters of Economic Investment and Modelling submitted to University Senate for approval and onward submission to NCHE.

Dr. Kagarura further said the centre conducted two impact evaluations on Luweero Rural Development Program and on how the improved stoves affect the welfare of people while that final draft of the study on impact of Covid-19 on public investments was awaiting final comments before validation.

As a matter of preparation, Kagarura said 3 members are scheduled to attend training in Mbale in the Financial Analysis Module of PIAR (Economic Analysis due 10th – 23rd October) while at the beginning (8th Nov – 3rd Dec 2021)  4 core staff will be attending a  Training of Trainers  in Ghana.

Part of the procured furniture in PIM CoE Conference Room, CTF2, Makerere University.
Part of the procured furniture in PIM CoE Conference Room, CTF2, Makerere University.

The interim manager hailed the World Bank and FCDO for the funding saying, the startup grant has created a capacity building asset for the country which should be nursed to maturity.

Kagarura however noted that in order to nurture a sustainable capacity building framework or institutional arrangement for the country and the region,there is need for increased capacity among trainers through TOTs whose outputs will be in the areas of capacity building, research and outreach and Advisory Services.

The other need he said, is to lift capacity at the centre to professional levels both in project management professional and impact evaluation so as to completely cover the project cycle.

The centre he also said needs support and to be fully popularized and to work with government so that its collection of tuition from participants is appreciated.

Jane Anyango is the Principal Communication Officer, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)

Mark Wamai

Business & Management

Bank of Uganda holds career talk with students: Commits to Annual Monetary policy engagements

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Economics Students participating in the career talk pose for a group photo with Officials on 14th April 2025. Bank of Uganda in partnership with College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) career talk targeting students studying economics. Theme: ‘Beyond the Books-Positioning Economics Students for National and Global Relevance,’ Commits to Annual Monetary policy engagements, 14th April 2025, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

On 14th April 2025, the Bank of Uganda in partnership with the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) hosted a career talk targeting students studying economics at Makerere University.

The Bank of Uganda is one of the leading employers of students from Makerere University. It is therefore a key strategic partner of Makerere University.

In line with the theme of the career talk, ‘Beyond the Books-Positioning Economics Students for National and Global Relevance,’ the various Speakers shared their student experiences while at the University up to graduation, and their real-life experiences as they transitioned into the world of work. This approach enabled the Speakers to manage the expectations of the students, who in turn, listened attentively to the Speakers, actively participated in the plenary, responded to questions from the Speakers, asked questions after each presentation, and requested for more engagements, mentorship and networking sessions.

From the presentations and discussion, the world of work focused on fields such as economics, business, finance, accounting, entrepreneurship, farming, the academia, the teaching profession, and any other field that presented the Speakers with an opportunity to serve their respective communities.

Career Talk participants in a group photo. Bank of Uganda in partnership with College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) career talk targeting students studying economics. Theme: ‘Beyond the Books-Positioning Economics Students for National and Global Relevance,’ Commits to Annual Monetary policy engagements, 14th April 2025, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Career Talk participants in a group photo.

Featuring Mr. Jonah Waiswa, the Head of Stakeholder Engagement at the Bank of Uganda, the career talk, presented a scenario of, “I have walked this journey. I have been successful. When you listen to my story, you could get some tips and valuable knowledge to guide you as a student who is scheduled to transition into the world of work.”

During the career talk, the students also listened to speeches loaded with words of wisdom and inspiration from the Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences-Prof. Edward Bbaale, the Dean of the School of Economics- Dr. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, and Lecturers from the School of Economics-Dr. Peter Babyenda and Mr. Fred Kasalirwe.

Welcoming the team from Bank of Uganda, Prof. Edward Bbaale pointed out that their presence signified a continued commitment to nurturing the next generation of economists- who are academically sound and industry-ready.

“The theme for the Career Talk was relevant and timely. As the College prepares students to thrive in a highly competitive and dynamic global economy, it is important that they are exposed to practical experiences and real world insights,” he stated.

Prof. Edward Bbaale makes his remarks at the Career Talk. Bank of Uganda in partnership with College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) career talk targeting students studying economics. Theme: ‘Beyond the Books-Positioning Economics Students for National and Global Relevance,’ Commits to Annual Monetary policy engagements, 14th April 2025, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Edward Bbaale makes his remarks at the Career Talk.

According to the Principal, the collaboration between Makerere University and the Bank of Uganda is long-standing and deeply valued. “In the past years, the School of Economics has benefited greatly from this relationship-through teaching of specialized courses such as Monetary Economics and Banking by experts from the Central Bank. Many of our alumni fondly recall these interactions that bridged theory with practice,” he remarked.

To the students, he said, “I urge you to listen keenly, ask questions and make the most of today’s interaction.”

Challenging the students to always utilize opportunities when they arise, the Dean of the School of Economics, Dr. Mike Ibrahim Okumu reminded students that economics is not just about understanding the world, but about changing it.

Dr. Okumu reported that the School of Economics’ esteemed collaboration with the Central Bank has been instrumental in developing the curriculum.  “This year, we are excited to launch a Master of Science in Economic and Investment Modelling, admitting a select group of ten students. This programme signifies our commitment to producing graduates who are deeply engaged in practical applications of economics,” he stated.

The Dean, School of Economics, Dr. Ibrahim Mike Okumu addressing students during the Career Talk. Bank of Uganda in partnership with College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) career talk targeting students studying economics. Theme: ‘Beyond the Books-Positioning Economics Students for National and Global Relevance,’ Commits to Annual Monetary policy engagements, 14th April 2025, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The Dean, School of Economics, Dr. Ibrahim Mike Okumu addressing students during the Career Talk.

Building on the goodwill between Makerere University and the Bank of Uganda, Mr. Waiswa was pleased to address the students-who are the prospective employees of the Central Bank as well as future economists.

Impressed by the level of attendance, the keynote Speaker-Mr. Jonah Waiswa commended the College Principal, the Dean and Staff in the School of Economics and the Makerere University Economics Students Society for the excellent mobilization.

He was delighted to address students studying economics at the University because he was once like them. “I was once an undergraduate student like you. I focused on my studies and performed well. I took advantage of the opportunities that came my way. I have spent a number of years working with the central bank,” shared Mr. Waiswa, an alumnus of Makerere University who on completion of his studies was privileged to join the world of work.

In his presentation, Mr. Waiswa highlighted the Bank of Uganda’s mission to foster price stability and a sound financial system, and its vision of being a centre of excellence in upholding macroeconomic stability. The Bank of Uganda is mandated under article 162(1) of the constitution to promote and maintain the stability of the value of the of the currency of Uganda; to regulate the currency system in the interest of the economic progress of Uganda; and to encourage and promote economic development and efficient utilization of resources.

He defined concepts such as monetary policy, macro-economic management policies, inflation and stability of the economy, which are taught in the classroom at Makerere University, and applicable at the Central Bank. He stressed that the cardinal principle of the Bank of Uganda is to control inflation. He made specific reference to some of the values of Bank of Uganda namely Integrity, Accountability, Transparency, professionalism, inclusivity and innovation. He informed students that these values are central to the day to day lives of students who wish to excel in life and at the world of work.

He requested the students to always log on to the central bank website to have a broader understanding of its roles, functions, opportunities that are available to students as well as careers at Bank of Uganda.

Mr. Jonah Waiswa, Head of Stakeholder Engagement at the Bank of Uganda presenting to students. Bank of Uganda in partnership with College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) career talk targeting students studying economics. Theme: ‘Beyond the Books-Positioning Economics Students for National and Global Relevance,’ Commits to Annual Monetary policy engagements, 14th April 2025, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Mr. Jonah Waiswa, Head of Stakeholder Engagement at the Bank of Uganda presenting to students.

Mr. Waiswa highlighted that education is the ladder to socio-economic transformation. He called upon the economics students who have been presented with the golden opportunity to access education up to the level of the university, to reflect on the question. “How do I leverage my education to make myself better?”

With reference to the theme of the Career talk, Mr. Waiswa noted that the starting point is for each student to understand and appreciate the need to concentrate on his or her studies and excel academically. According to him, academic excellence presents an individual with a chance to tap into other opportunities.

In addition to academic excellence, students should prepare to transition into the world of work, which could be, in the form of being employed, or self-employed or an entrepreneur. Mr. Waiswa guided that whatever field in the world of work, an individual pursues, understanding aspects such as self-discipline, time-management, acquisition of additional skills relevant to your work, integrity, accountability, and among others are paramount.

He rallied students to value internship or industrial training, voluntary service, networking and mentorship. He advised them to always navigate the websites of different institutions/companies to understand their roles, the caliber of employees that they require, and to search for opportunities.

Sharing his journey of humble beginnings, completing his undergraduate degree and enrolling into the world of work based on hard-work and merit, Mr. Waiswa informed the students that it is possible to commit to breaking the chains and succeed in life. Emphasizing the importance of education, Mr. Waiswa reminded the students that the fact that they have been able to study at Makerere University, they should harness the power of education to transform their lives and the communities that they come from.

“My journey has been from humble beginnings to a position where I can influence change-it’s a testament to the power of education. Inspiration is critical, and I hope you take something valuable from today,” said Mr. Waiswa.

“For those of you in the second and third year of study, your studies in monetary economics and macroeconomics are foundational. They lead us to understand the practical implications of what we learn in the classroom. However, it’s imperative that we also focus on life experiences and the journey to transformation,” he added.

Education is the ladder that connects us, regardless of where we may find ourselves in Uganda. It is this a common ground that can propel us forward. Leveraging your education to improve your circumstances is key, but it requires a passion and a drive to succeed.

Mr. Waiswa advised the students that the world of work requires employees who read the signs and take off time to acquire additional skills in a particular field. These include: Enrolling to study professional courses, acquisition of ICT skills, adapting to trends such as AI, as well as attaining a Master’s degree in the relevant discipline.

Without mentioning the names of the affected individuals (as confidentiality is concerned), Mr. Waiswa shared a lived experience where he painful witnessed some employees who had served with dedication at a particular organisation missing out at the time for promotion to the managerial level because they lacked a Masters’ degree. He noted that such individuals did not take advantage of availability of funds provided by the same organization to its employees to enroll for further studies.

Reflecting on the world of work, he asked the students, “Who are you out of class? He challenged them to visualize their technical competence (qualification) which includes the technological expertise, productive competence, communication competence (interpersonal relations) and personal development.

On the fundamental aspect of personal growth and development, he used an illustration of the effort pyramid to explain the concepts of growth and development, Job/work, and academics.

An Economics student participating in the career talk. Bank of Uganda in partnership with College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) career talk targeting students studying economics. Theme: ‘Beyond the Books-Positioning Economics Students for National and Global Relevance,’ Commits to Annual Monetary policy engagements, 14th April 2025, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
An Economics student participating in the career talk.

He emphasized the need for diversification by investing in more than one asset class. He mentioned stocks, bonds, real estate and cash as some of the asset allocations that could be considered.

Tackling the area of investing, Mr. Waiswa revealed that fundamental wealth creation is about managing risk. “During investment decisions, we are presented with profits and losses, but the most important factor is managing risk,” he guided.

Underscoring the value of being accountable, Mr. Waiswa explained that when an individual secures a job, it is imperative that he or she works for the number of hours agreed upon, and delivers to the best of his or her ability. “After you have accorded your employer the hours agreed upon, it is important to use the rest of the hours or weekends to take on activities that advance your personal growth, networks and additional sources of income,” he said. In this regard, he informed the students, that after his working hours at the Bank of Uganda, he ventures into real-estate, farming, entrepreneurship and building valuable networks.

On the issue of prioritizing work and valuing networks, he said: “Despite my busy weekends dedicated to farming, I prioritized being here today because I am committed to my personal growth and that of my future generations. Remember that what you expect of life is often what you have to work tirelessly to achieve.”

He believes that after graduation and getting into the world of work, one should be able to marry or get married, produce children and balance work with family when he or she is still energetic. He encouraged the would be husbands to trust their partners, to be specific-by involving their wives in businesses and decision making processes.

Wrapping up, Mr. Waiswa disclosed that officials from the Bank of Uganda will be scheduled to come to Makerere University every year to discuss monetary policy and career prospects at the Bank.  “Effective July 2025, we will implement a deliberate plan to come and engage with students at the College of Business and Management Sciences,” he said.

On behalf of the students, Mr. Swaibuh Damulira, the President of the Makerere University Economics Students Society applauded the Bank of Uganda team for creating time to enlighten students about the world of work. He testified that the career talk had enabled him to learn new things and very important ideas about the life style cycle. He called for continuity of career guidance initiatives for the benefit of the students.

Mr. Swaibuh Damulira, President of the Makerere University Economics Students Society giving a vote of thanks. Bank of Uganda in partnership with College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) career talk targeting students studying economics. Theme: ‘Beyond the Books-Positioning Economics Students for National and Global Relevance,’ Commits to Annual Monetary policy engagements, 14th April 2025, Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Mr. Swaibuh Damulira, President of the Makerere University Economics Students Society giving a vote of thanks.

On behalf of the Organising Committee, Dr. Peter Babyenda thanked Mr. Jonah Waiswa for dedicating time to share his rich and wide real life experiences with students. “As economists, it is vital to understand current challenges and devise solutions. Networking is essential for it presents us with the ability to collaborate effectively,” he explained.

“Together, we aim to link the University with policy makers, reducing the distance between the academia and the real world. I thank Fred Kasalirwe and the Class coordinators for their unwavering support in organizing this career talk,” he remarked.

Dr. Babyenda underscored the importance of students’ participation, when he stated, “Remember, the university experience is incomplete without you, our students, who are our greatest resource. Let us continue fostering these important connections.”

The career talk climaxed with a specialized session scheduled for student leaders to visit the Central Bank next month for an in-depth discussion.

Ritah Namisango
Ritah Namisango

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Business & Management

ERASMUS+ KA171 International Credit Mobility 2024-2027

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An aerial photo of the School of Statistics and Planning (Right) and other colleges CEDAT, CoNAS, CAES, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda

Arising from an existing Memorandum of Understanding (September 2021) between University of Padova, Italy (UniPd) and Makerere University (Mak), the two institutions partnered and were jointly granted funding for the Erasmus+ KA171 international credit mobility for students and staff, 2024-2027. At Mak, the Departmental Flow Coordinator is Felix Wamono (PhD) and the project Principal Investigator is Saint Kizito Omala (PhD), both of Department of Statistical Methods and Actuarial Science (DSMAS).

In this regard, the Department of Statistical Methods and Actuarial Science wishes to announce opportunities for students and staff credit mobility to the Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Padova, Italy for the Winter Semester, October 2025 – February 2026.

The selection process shall entail five-steps:

Step 1: Submission of documents by candidates for nomination, with an internal deadline of April 21st, 2025, 05.00 p.m. (EAT) to allow for time to process nomination applications;
Step 2: Nomination of candidates who would have applied for nomination;
Step 3: Submitting the list of nominated candidates, by April 28th, 2025, to the International Projects and Mobility Office of the University of Padua, Italy;
Step 4: Eligibility check and communication to successful candidates by the International Projects and Mobility Office of the University of Padua, Italy; and
Step 5: Application for the Mobility opportunity by successful candidates.

Inquiry

Reach out to Dr. F. Wamono on +256 772 467206 Dr. S.K. Omala via +256 772 491545 before April 21st, 2025.

See below for detailed advert.

Mak Editor

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Business & Management

CoBAMS holds Strategic Planning Retreat: Prioritization of research-driven strategies, graduate training, quality teaching and internationalization

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The Principal CoBAMS, Prof. Edward Bbaale presents the College's Strategic Direction on Day 1 of the retreat, 10th April 2025. College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa led by the Principal, Prof. Edward Bbaale two-day strategic planning retreat for College management team to critically discuss the research direction of the college and come up with strategies aligned to the Makerere University strategic plan, 10th-11th April 2025.

Through its strategic plan, Makerere University commits to being a research driven institution. This presents the ten (10) colleges at Makerere University with a golden opportunity to tap into the vast knowledge and rich experience of its qualified and experienced staff to contribute to the realization of the University’s research agenda.

Consequently, the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) led by the Principal, Prof. Edward Bbaale organized a two-day strategic planning retreat bringing on board a representative sample of staff classified as the College management team to critically discuss the research direction of the college and come up with strategies aligned to the Makerere University strategic plan.

The two-day strategic planning retreat (10th to 11th April 2025) involved highly interactive sessions with seasoned facilitators namely the Principal-Prof. Edward Bbaale, the Deputy Principal-Prof. James Wokadala, the Director of Graduate Training-Dr. Julius Kikooma, the Head of Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU)-Prof. Sylvia A.N. Nannyonga-Tamusuza and the Director of Quality Assurance-Dr. Cyprian Misinde. It was moderated by Ms. Ritah Namisango and Mr. Peter Mubiru, who are members of the CoBAMS management team.

The Deputy Principal, Prof. James Wokadala. College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa led by the Principal, Prof. Edward Bbaale two-day strategic planning retreat for College management team to critically discuss the research direction of the college and come up with strategies aligned to the Makerere University strategic plan, 10th-11th April 2025.
The Deputy Principal, Prof. James Wokadala.

The presentations featured the College Strategic direction, the College Quality Assurance Framework, the Strategic direction of Makerere University on graduate training, Grants Management and harnessing the power of the College and members of staff to attract and win grants. In addition, the retreat provided a forum to discuss other critical functions such as innovative teaching and learning, internationalization, community engagements, knowledge transfer partnerships and networking.

Welcoming the participants, Prof. Edward Bbaale emphasized that the strategic planning retreat provided a pivotal platform to shape the future of the college. He stated that as Makerere University implements its research-driven agenda, CoBAMS will play a central role through prioritization of research and graduate training, internationalization, and provision of innovative teaching and learning.

He informed the College management team to embrace an approach that positions the students at the centre of research and the various activities undertaken by the College.

“The best way to propel CoBAMS is by working with students. A student with a good Masters’ degree dissertation should be supported through mentorship to publish his or her work,” he said.

Strategic and research direction of the College

Prof. Bbaale guided that every member of faculty should focus on increasing graduate student enrolment and knowledge production. Referring to well researched data, Prof. Bbaale reported that graduate students account for only 12% of the enrollment. He noted that the goal was to ensure that graduate students constitute 30% of the total enrollment by 2030. He rallied members of staff to work together to increase the number of graduate students both at Masters’ and PhD levels. He implored staff to effectively supervise graduate students so that they complete on time. He encouraged staff to involve graduate students in research projects, grant writing and joint publications. He noted the need to profile and follow up the graduate students.

Convinced about the strong correlation between research output and the number of PhDs, Prof. Bbaale urged staff to increase the number of PhD students. For instance, the taught PhDs in Economics, Finance, and in Statistics will significantly contribute to increased enrollment,” he said.

“Central to this is stabilizing graduate output and ensuring consistent PhD supervision. The structured PhD by research program and the taught PhDs if managed well will significantly increase the number of graduate student enrollment,” he added.

In this regard, Prof. Bbaale congratulated the Units under the College of Business and Management Sciences namely the School of Business, the School of Economics, and the School of Statistics and Planning for coming up with the option of taught PhDs.

Prof. Edward Bbaale makes his presentation. College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa led by the Principal, Prof. Edward Bbaale two-day strategic planning retreat for College management team to critically discuss the research direction of the college and come up with strategies aligned to the Makerere University strategic plan, 10th-11th April 2025.
Prof. Edward Bbaale makes his presentation.

On the issue of timely completion of graduate programmes, he advised the faculty members to ensure that the students present vivas in January, February or March.

In addition, the crucial role of graduate coordinators and the college doctoral forum, convened by Dr. Kassim Sendawula, in nurturing a sense of community and providing support for Ph.D. students was emphasized.

Providing direction on research centres, he demystified the concept of thinking that one requires a physical building or large space to come up with a research centre. Prof. Bbaale encouraged faculty members to network and form research centres. “A centre is a team of researchers with like minds, passion and expertise in a particular area/field. For instance, Members of staff in the College of Business and Management Sciences could establish a Centre of Excellence in Tax Advisory.”

He explained the need to translate research into products that can be sold. He commended the ongoing initiatives by the College such as the Entrepreneurship Congress, and the Makerere University Innovation Pod. He called upon staff in CoBAMS to work with the Makerere University Innovation Pod, which is headed by a faculty member-Dr. Cathy Mbidde.

On the issue of internationalization, the Principal called for more collaborations with internationally recognized and reputable universities, bodies and research centres. He advised staff to actively participate in Erasmus mobility programmes and to implement collaborations that provide for staff and student exchange programmes.

In addition to acquiring degree qualifications from Makerere University, he advised the teaching staff to take a bold step and attain academic qualifications from internationally recognized institutions in other countries/continents.

“As a member of faculty, if your undergraduate degree or Masters’ was awarded by Makerere University, it is important that you secure your PhD from another internationally recognized university. This presents you with a rich and wider perspective as an academic, distinct advantage, exposure and access to other networks,” he guided.

Tackling the financial sustainability of the College, the Principal explained the need to establish special programs to operate as projects for example short courses leveraging the Council’s sharing ratio of 20:80, lobbying the University Management for more funding, mobilizing the college alumni, growing the College Endowment Fund, enhancing grant writing through GAMSU support and strengthening the College’s IRB.

Quality Assurance in teaching and learning processes

In his presentation, Dr. Cyprian Misinde focused on the standards and guidelines that should be followed by staff to safeguard the quality of processes at Makerere University.

Dr. Misinde re-affirmed the need for the CoBAMS teaching staff to scale up their research potential and outputs, actively participate in capacity building programmes, and above all, to continue to publish their research or work in internationally recognized journals.

He articulated the need to uphold the provision of high quality academic programmes through curriculum reviews, peer reviews, involvement of the private sector and industry, and following national and international accreditation procedures.

Dr. Cyprian Misinde. College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa led by the Principal, Prof. Edward Bbaale two-day strategic planning retreat for College management team to critically discuss the research direction of the college and come up with strategies aligned to the Makerere University strategic plan, 10th-11th April 2025.
Dr. Cyprian Misinde.

Dr. Misinde equally stressed the need for academic staff and heads of the respective departments to understand the accreditation steps and requirements and strictly adhere to the procedures. This, he added, will enable the Schools and Colleges to submit the academic programmes for accreditation to the Academic Registrar, Directorate of Quality Assurance and the University Senate within the expected timelines.

To enhance the effectiveness of instruction, he encouraged the teaching staff to adhere to fulfilling the minimum teaching load as per the University policy, reinforcing the commitment to delivering quality education.

On the management of students’ results, Dr. Misinde appealed to the teaching staff to mark the students’ scripts within the stipulated timeline. He reminded the teaching staff to adhere to the centralized marking processes at the College or School levels. He advised the College leadership to always invite the Student leaders or representatives to witness the centralized marking processes in order to build trust and transparency at all levels.

He informed participants about the independent student-staff assessment/evaluation tools that are administered by the Quality Assurance Directorate. These, Dr. Misinde clarified, present an opportunity to the students to assess their respective teachers/lecturers. He stated that these evaluations are essential for fostering educational quality and enriching the overall student experience. He disclosed that the feedback gathered from these assessments not only informs curriculum development but also identifies areas that require improvement in teaching methodologies, aligning with the university’s strategic objectives.

Graduate training at Makerere University

Building on the call to action by Prof. Edward Bbaale to the teaching staff to actively participate in critical processes aimed at increasing the number of graduate students, Dr. Julius Kikooma’s presentation centred on sensitizing staff on their obligations in the realization of that dream.

Front Row: Deputy Principal-Prof. James Wokadala (Centre), Facilitators-Dr. Julius Kikooma (Left) and Dr. Cyprian Misinde (2nd Right) pose for a group photo with members of the College Management team. College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa led by the Principal, Prof. Edward Bbaale two-day strategic planning retreat for College management team to critically discuss the research direction of the college and come up with strategies aligned to the Makerere University strategic plan, 10th-11th April 2025.
Front Row: Deputy Principal-Prof. James Wokadala (Centre), Facilitators-Dr. Julius Kikooma (Left) and Dr. Cyprian Misinde (2nd Right) pose for a group photo with members of the College Management team.

He outlined the Makerere University graduate policies, framework for structured PhD by research, graduate supervision and mentorship, digitization of the graduate training processes through the Digital Research Information Management System (RIMS), strengthening the capacity and commitment of human resources to drive the research-led agenda, elements of the Makerere University Graduate research strategy, teaching of PhD cross cutting courses, among other key factors.

Dr. Kikooma called upon Deans, Heads of Departments, Supervisors of Graduate Progammes and Registrars at CoBAMS to participate in the training on RIMS scheduled to take place on 21st April 2025.

Grants Administration and Management at Makerere University

In her presentation, Prof. Sylvia A. N. Nannyonga-Tamusuza reported that funds received through grants significantly contribute to building the research profile of the University, calling upon, Colleges to implement strategies aimed at attracting and winning research grants at the national and global levels.

She explained the need to professionally manage the research grants, requesting those entrusted to adhere to the terms and conditions specified in the guidelines or contract.

She observed that whereas it is mandatory to close out a grant/project, some entities do not, which is a great omission. She urged the faculty members and researchers to follow the guidelines stipulated during the grant application and award processes.

Prof. Sylvia A.N. Nannyonga-Tamusuza. College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa led by the Principal, Prof. Edward Bbaale two-day strategic planning retreat for College management team to critically discuss the research direction of the college and come up with strategies aligned to the Makerere University strategic plan, 10th-11th April 2025.
Prof. Sylvia A.N. Nannyonga-Tamusuza.

The Head of GAMSU emphasized the need to form research teams. “We have different abilities and skills. Through teams, we leverage our strengths. It also encompasses the multi-disciplinary approach,” she said. Underscoring the role of negotiation and interpersonal relations, she recommended training of researchers to engage with international partners.

She re-affirmed the necessity for proper documentation, transparency and accountability for funds. She reminded Principal Investigators, researchers and staff in general that research grant money is received on behalf of the institution, and not individuals. Thus, GAMSU expects to receive quarterly reports on grants. She explained that whereas some units could have designated a researcher or a member of staff to manage grants, when following up reporting and accountability for such funds, GAMSU engages the College Principal and College Bursar/Accountant.

To continue onboarding staff on grant administration and management, Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza revealed that GAMSU would conduct an intensive three (3) day training for Accountants, Research Assistants and Staff who handle grants at the University.

Way Forward

The College leadership team was tasked to lobby management to have an institutionalized mechanism for staff who mobilise resources for the University.

The College leadership team would schedule a specialized meeting with the University’s central management pertaining to research, funding, grant writing and execution, and graduate training among others.

Noting that members of staff play a vital role in the success of the college, the participants recommended prioritization of staff welfare focusing on health, sports, and morale.

Touched by the active participation and articulation of critical issues, the Principal committed to work with the College management team to ensure that the retreat bringing on board the College Management team is held twice a year.

Closing remarks

Prof. Wokadala commended the College management team members for participating in the retreat. “The retreat is one of the vehicles of creating a bond as the College management team. I am glad that we have discussed a number of critical issues that align with the strategic direction of the University,” said the Deputy Principal.

Prof. James Wokadala (Left) with a section the College management team at the retreat. College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa led by the Principal, Prof. Edward Bbaale two-day strategic planning retreat for College management team to critically discuss the research direction of the college and come up with strategies aligned to the Makerere University strategic plan, 10th-11th April 2025.
Prof. James Wokadala (Left) with a section the College management team at the retreat.

Prof. Bbaale thanked the organizing team and participants, urging them to reflect on the discussions and implement agreed-upon actions to improve the college for the benefit of its stakeholders, including students and the broader community. He also pointed out the need for the next retreat to focus on aligning the College’s strategy with the National Development Plan 4 (NDP4), ensuring its relevance and contribution to national development goals.

Ritah Namisango
Ritah Namisango

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