Makerere University in collaboration with the University of Agder, Norway, University of Rwanda, Rwanda and Jimma University, Ethiopia, is implementing a Six (6) years NORHED II supported Project titled ‘Transformative Education and Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Development (TELLS)’.
TELLS is aimed at developing sufficient stock of gender balanced imaginal/transformative leaders and workforce for sustainable development of sub-Saharan nations. This is envisaged to be achieved though masters and PhD training for future school teachers, research on education of the future, micro-credentialing for lifelong learning and future education infrastructural development, among others.
We now wish to use part of the TELLS grant to provide a total of Four (4) PhD scholarships to promising scholars conducting their studies and research at Makerere University in one or a combination of the following broad areas: 1) Future Educational Technology for Open, Distance & eLearning 2) Fifth generation distance education 3) Micro-credentialing in lifelong learning 4) Future work markets education 5) Imaginal school teacher education 6) Imaginal higher education teacher education
The training of the Four (4) PhD students will take place at Makerere University, College of Education and External Studies, with possible short supervision visits to the University of Agder, University of Rwanda or Jimma University, depending on the supervision needs for a particular PhD student.
We invite interested candidates to apply for these PhD scholarships. The PhD training is expected to commence in January 2022 and will be supported for period of not more than Four (4) years on full-time basis. Applicants who are already admitted at Makerere University and still in their first year of PhD studies in the project’s areas of focus will also be considered. The training is preferably by coursework and dissertation on existing PhD curricula in Education, ICT in Education, Information Systems, Higher Education or related fields at Makerere University. Candidates on PhD by Research only may also be considered if they have a quality research proposal approved in a period of less than 6 months from the date of this advert.
Eligibility The applicant must 1) Be holding at least a Master’s degree in Instructional Design and Technology, Open, Distance and eLearning, Education, Higher Education, Education Information Systems, Adult and Community Education (or equivalent); 2) Be a Ugandan citizen, aged not more than 45 years at the time of the closing date of receiving the applications; 3) Be able to stay in Norway, Rwanda or Ethiopia for a period of at most Three (3) months a year for supervision when need arises; 4) Not holding any other scholarship for PhD studies; 5) Demonstrate the ability to think creatively and work independently and also be able to work in a team of researchers from Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Norway. 6) Take on a PhD research project in any of the Six (or blend of the) areas named above.
Interested applicants should submit the following sets of documents: 1) An application letter for scholarship for PhD studentship; 2) A current CV (maximum five pages), which includes a detailed description of previous education at university level (all courses and grades) and a description of current research interests in line with the stated project areas of focus; 3) Citizenship Proof – Copy of national identity card or passport; 4) Three recent passport size photos; 5) A certified copy of the applicant’s Master’s degree/diploma; 6) Copy of admission letter at Makerere University; 7) A research Concept Note of maximum 5 pages (guidelines given below); 8) At least two recommendation letters from your academic referees. The referee letters should be sent together with the application.
The Concept Note must include: 1) A description of the applicant’s research interest in any of the above areas; 2) A description of the applicant’s background in this area/these areas; 3) A discussion on the applicant’s motivation for conducting PhD studies; 4) A discussion on what outputs the applicant expects to realize through the PhD studies.
Application procedure 1) All application documents must be zipped up in one file folder. 2) Electronic submission of application for scholarship with supporting documents should be sent to the PI of TELLS at Makerere University, Dr. Paul Birevu Muyinda on email paul.birevu[at]mak.ac.ug with a copy to the Overall Coordinator of NORHED II Programme at Makerere University on e-mail mbuyinza[at]mak.ac.ug and PI University of Agder on maurice.isabwe[at]uia.no 3) No hardcopies of application documents will be required given the prevailing covid-19 situation. 4) Application submission deadline is 14th January 2022 at 5pm and interviews will be conducted at an appropriate date to be communicated. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. ANY APPLICATION SENT AFTER THE DEADLINE SHALL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Selection Process These are competitive PhD scholarships. The applications shall be vetted by a selection panel consisting of professors from Makerere University, University of Agder, University of Rwanda and Jimma University. Candidates will also be invited for interviews. Evidence of already having a teaching position at University will be an added advantage.
Admission for PhD at Makerere University The admission for PhD in Education, Higher Education, ODeL, Information Systems, Adult and Community Education or related field at Makerere University is independent of the scholarship award and hence follows the existing admission processes/regulations of Makerere University. Successful candidates for the scholarship who are not yet admitted at Makerere University will be required to follow Makerere University PhD application procedure and secure admission before commencement of the PhD training in January 2022.
For more details on the different research areas, contact Assoc. Prof Paul Birevu Muyinda, PhD PI/Coordinator TELLS Project at Makerere University Deputy Principal, College of Education and External Studies Makerere University E-mail: (paul.birevu[at]mak.ac.ug)
Over 600 students of Makerere University Centre for Lifelong Learning and Makerere University Jinja Campus have graduated with diplomas and Certificates from the Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB).
“This academic achievement has launched your real beginning in higher education academics and career growth. For those who had challenges with Advanced Level as a prerequisite for University or academic progression, the diploma comes handy and will enable you to now register for your desired degree course,” Prof. Mugagga said.
Over 600 students of Makerere University Centre for Lifelong Learning and Makerere University Jinja Campus have graduated with diplomas and Certificates from the Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB).
Speaking during the graduation ceremony on Feb 3, 2024, at Makerere University Yusuf Lule Auditorium, Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga, the Principal of the College of Education and External Studies, where the Centre for Lifelong Learning is housed, said the college seeks to address all education levels including tertiary Education, thus the formation of CLL, which caters for those people who may not have been able to join mainstream university education.
Prof. Mugagga said the university is trying to reduce school dropouts by offering UBTEB courses, respond to the government’s call for science education in Uganda and also address the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG4) which calls for education for all.
“This academic achievement has launched your real beginning in higher education academics and career growth. For those who had challenges with Advanced Level as a prerequisite for University or academic progression, the diploma comes handy and will enable you to now register for your desired degree course,” Prof. Mugagga said.
He cautioned the graduands against reckless behavior which could lead to sickness and early death. “Be very cautious and protective of your lives. You have one life; therefore, you cannot afford to waste it. Hold your life very preciously and jealously.”
Mr. Geoffrey Kawanguzi, the Deputy Executive Secretary, admonished educational institutions against illegally awarding qualifications to students.
Mr. Kawanguzi, said many institutions are hoodwinking students and awarding them certificates and diplomas which are not recognized by the government.
Mr. Kawanguzi urged parents to be cautious while selecting higher institutions and to check that the institution qualifies to provide national exams.
“Before you pay school fees to an institution where you want to take your child, first ask whether that institution offers national exams. Certificates offered by illegal Institutions end in that school, you cannot take them anywhere,” Mr. Kawanguzi said as he conferred 613 students from the university’s main campus and Jinja campus with national certificates and diplomas in technical and business education.
Students received National diplomas in Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Planning and Management, Business Administration and Management, Civil Engineering, Procurement, Electrical Engineering and Logistics, among others.
Mr. Kawanguzi said it is only UBTEB national exams that are recognized by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) and the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC).
He encouraged graduands to make good use of the knowledge they have acquired from their respective disciplines to develop their communities and create job opportunities for their communities.
“The world has a lot of opportunities for each of us to explore according to our talents and gifts. Let’s put to good use our knowledge and skills to fulfill the use and continue to pursue the journey of acquiring more knowledge to better our areas for professional growth and development.”
The Deputy Director of the Graduate School, Dr. Wamala Robert, who represented the Vice Chancellor urged graduands to apply the skills and knowledge they have gained to face the world and solve its challenges.
“The world you have entered is dynamic and ever challenging. Use the education and the experience you have gained here to navigate the complexities of the global landscape,” he said.
He added: “As you step into this new chapter of your lives, I urge you to continue embracing curiosity, pursuing knowledge for excellence. Be bold in your ambitions, compassionate in your endeavors, and always mindful of the impacts you can have on the world around you. Remember that the values instilled in you during your time at Makerere will serve as a compass guiding you through the diverse path that lies ahead of you.”
Prince Immanuel Oluka, a graduand of a diploma in Civil Engineering, said he doesn’t regret taking up the course because he has acquired the necessary skills to go out and address world challenges.
“We have been doing real life projects which are hands-on, even now there is a site we are working on. We are confident we can go for government contracts of constructing buildings and roads,” Oluka said.
Risper Atwine Twinomugisa, a graduand of a national diploma in Architecture, said she has specialized in drafting and drawing plans for houses and her future is bright with the skills at hand.
The College of Education and External Studies has today January 30, 2024, the 2nd day of the 74th graduation ceremony, graduated 1,019 students. At the same function, five of the college’s senior researchers received the Vice Chancellor’s Research Excellence Award 2023.
The researchers, Prof. Paul Muyinda Birevu, Dr. Sekatawa Kenneth, Assoc. Prof. Jude Ssempebwa, Dr. Nambi Rebecca and Dr. Bateganya Lukoyaa Najib, were recognized for having the highest number of publications, in the last 5 years, in the college.
This year’s graduation saw 7 people graduate with PhDs, 51 with Masters, 81 with Post graduate diplomas and 880 with undergraduate degrees from the College of Education and External Studies. Of these 618 are female while 401 are male representing 60.6% and 39.4% respectively.
During the course of the 74th graduation ceremony, a total of 12,913 graduands will receive degrees and diplomas of Makerere University. Of these, a total of 132 graduands will graduate with PhDs, 1585 with Masters degrees, 11,016 with Bachelor’s degrees, 156 with postgraduate diplomas, and 24 with undergraduate diplomas.
53% of the graduands are female and 47% are male. In the category of PhD graduands, 46 are female and 86 are male. In the category of students graduating with Master’s degrees, 699 are female and 886 are male.
While addressing the graduands, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, said the university’s goal is to graduate at least 200 PhDs per year in response to the World Bank’s call for at least 100,000 PhDs for Africa over the next 10 years, to pull the continent out of poverty.
He also congratulated the college upon the various milestones achieved in the last one year. He appreciated the Institute of Open, Distance and e-Learning (IODeL) which has continued to provide backstopping support services to all Colleges in the University for transforming the classroom-based course content into well-instructionally designed online course content for blended teaching and learning.
“In the last year, with support from the Government of Uganda, and development partners such as Mastercard Foundation, Norad, DIKU and among others, the College of Education and External Studies has supported and mentored lecturers in developing 1,300 quality and inclusive online learning courses across all colleges. By June 2024, more than 3000 courses will have been transformed. The University has acquired five (5) multimedia studios to aid in the production of multimedia content for pedagogy,” Prof. Nawangwe said.
In the past two years, Makerere University has come up with measures aimed at making the issuance of academic transcripts and certificates very fast and convenient by shortening the clearance process. In November 2022 the university organized the Public Fair on Transcripts and Certificates during which more than 4,650 certificates and 4,113 transcripts were issued. This year, with the support of the University Council and Senate, the Department of the Academic Registrar, the Directorate of ICT Support Services, and the leadership at the Colleges, the academic transcripts for students graduating during the 74th graduation ceremony were printed before graduation. “The academic transcripts are ready and they are due for issuance to graduands who have satisfied the academic and financial obligations I therefore urge all our graduands to pick their transcripts from their respective colleges,” the VC said.
The Vice Chancellor congratulated all graduands and called on them to Cherish the knowledge and experiences they have received, but remember that learning never ends.