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Universities Discuss Technology Supported Examinations for Higher Education Institutions

Published

4 years ago

December 17, 2021

The Deputy Principal CEES and EBoML Project PI, Dr. Paul Birevu Muyinda addresses the workshop. — Prof. Paul Muyinda from Makerere University College of Education and External studies (CEES).

On 17th December, 2021, scores of Ugandan Universities educators and policy makers held a virtual workshop themed ‘Navigating technology-supported examinations for higher education institutions’ due to the prevailing effects of the Covid 19 pandemic.

The half day event that was organized by Makerere University College of Education and External studies (CEES) and College of Computing and Information Sciences (COCIS) under their consortium for ‘Enhancing the quality and internationalization of study programmes through mobile transformative pedagogy (EQIP)’, brought together over 40 policy makers, educators, instructional designers, development partners and students from different universities in Uganda including Makerere, Kyambogo, Uganda Christian University (UCU), Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) and Busitema University to discuss how the modalities of online examinations can be managed and sustained in higher education institutions amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected every sector. Institutions of Higher learning were forced to adopt online assessment. A number of institutions attempted to administer high-stake examinations using technology-platforms available to them. However, the move to online exams necessitated a quick transition to ensure that the exams produced valid, reliable and fair results. While students required having devices, stable and secure internet connectivity, the educators required a transition in examination design. Makerere and Uganda Christian University were the first to manage online assessments in Uganda

Prof. Paul Muyinda a Makerere University senator opened the workshop and reminded the audience that the EQIP project aims at a transformative pedagogy for students to excel in learning and post education.

“We have to move with modern times, if the banking sector has transformed, the education sector has to also embrace the emergency of new learners not only technology. Time has changed and so methods of doing things, the education sector should be able to fit in the 21^st century,” added Prof Muyinda.

He also urged Lecturers to always confront challenges with innovative solutions which the EQIP project is doing.

The Uganda Christian University (UCU) Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Rev. Dr. John Kitayimbwa, showcased a systematic approach the institution has adopted to manage online assessment. He quoted the Hoffman foundation 2020 report that indicated that half the biggest companies in America were created in periods of market crush and crises saying that managing at a time of crisis is like shooting at a moving target as you are ought to adjust.

The Uganda Christian University (UCU) has focused on equipping its students with knowledge and skills of finding and using information but not remembering facts, it has prepared its students to remember, evaluate, analyze and apply knowledge. All this added to a strong online examination software that ensures full virtual supervision during the examination.

The UCU online assessment portal is designed to prevent copying as it secures the question paper through disabling copy-paste keys as any candidate attempting to do so is thrown out of the examination room after three warnings. Screen sharing and printing is also not permitted by this system and it randomly takes pictures of the candidate as they sit the examination.

Rev. Kitayimbwa added that the institution is designing an authentication and authorization platform that will focus on ruling out illegitimate persons from sitting examinations for students through live video conferencing and remote picturing for examiners to keep track of any activity and movements of students.

He ended by urging educators to embrace adaptability as only the adaptable will win this game but not the strongest or the most intelligent.

Makerere University ’s Online Learning expert Dr. Godfrey Mayende briefed the audience on how Makerere University has transitioned to online examinations. The ‘Constructive Alignment’ model that focuses on how and when learners shall learn and how learning shall be measured has been adopted at the Ivory tower.

This model is embedded into the Makerere University E-learning system (MUELE) and can identify early adopters amongst learners and these are used to support their fellow learners after thorough capacity building from the online assessment team of the university. The university also conducts trainings for facilitators, examiners and students on online assessment modalities. The educators have greatly catered for the visually impaired students through developing transcriptions

Dr. Mayende further said that the university has successfully engaged Mastercard Foundation to aid in the program and it promised to assist with top notch servers to boost online learning at Makerere University .

All the educators and other stakeholders that attended this workshop in one voice urged government and regulators to engage telecom companies on Zero rating Institutions’ online learning systems so that full inclusion of students regardless of financial capabilities is ensured. The EQIP project is a joint partnership among Makerere University , Norwegian Agency for international Cooperation, University of Rwanda and University of Adger Norway.

General

Extension of Application Deadline for Diploma/Degree Holders 2026/2027

Published

17 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Mak Editor

A mid-morning shot of the Senate Building as seen from the Frank Kalimuzo Central Teaching Facility. Date taken: 18th May 2023. Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The Academic Registrar, Makerere University informs all intending applicants for Private and Government Sponsorship for the 2026/2027 Academic Year that the deadline has been extended from 27^th February, 2026 to Friday 13^th March, 2026.

Applicants who have already applied need not apply.

For any additional information, refer to Announcements and requirements for Diploma/Degree holders Entry Scheme for Undergraduate programmes for 2026/2027 Academic Year, click the links below.

Privately Sponsored: https://news.mak.ac.ug/2026/03/advert-admissions-for-diploma-degree-holders-under-private-sponsorship-2026-27/

Government Sponsored: https://news.mak.ac.ug/2026/03/call-for-applications-diploma-holders-under-government-sponsorship-2026-2027/

Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi
ACADEMIC REGISTRAR

Makerere-AR-Extension_Diploma_Degree-Holder-Applications-2026-2027 Download

General

Advert: Admissions for Diploma/Degree Holders under Private Sponsorship 2026/27

Published

23 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Mak Editor

The Academic Registrar, Makerere University invites applications from Ugandan, East African and international applicants for the undergraduate programmes under the private sponsorship scheme for the 2026/2027 Academic Year.

Each applicant should:

EITHER

Hold at least a Second Class/Credit (or equivalent classification) Diploma or otherwise as specified in the Diploma Holders’ requirements from a recognised chartered institution, relevant to the programme applied for. Certified copies of academic transcripts and certificates (not photocopies of certified copies) from the awarding institutions and one passport size photograph must be submitted to Office 315 level three (3) Senate Building after applying online.

Be a Graduate from a RECOGNISED CHARTERED UNIVERSITY. Certified copies of academic transcripts and certificates (not photocopies of certified copies) from the awarding Institutions and one Passport size photography MUST be submitted to Office 315, Level three (3) Senate Building after applying online.

N.B. Applicants will be responsible for verification of their academic documents from the awarding Institutions after admission.

Other relevant information can be obtained from UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS OFFICE, LEVEL 3, SENATE BUILDING OR CAN BE found on the University Website.

Diploma Holder applicants who hold class three (3) diploma certificates or Pass Diplomas are not eligible for admission and therefore should not apply, except where stated in the Diploma Holders requirements.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications shall be submitted online using the ACMIS system for all applicants. Diploma/degree holders and internationals will have to submit certified copies of their transcripts and certificates and a passport size photograph to Office 315, Level 3, Senate Building after submitting the application online and payment of application fees.

Details of the Diplomas required for each programme are in the document attached below, the same list can be found here: https://mak.ac.ug/how-apply/diploma-holders-application-guide

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS OFFICE, LEVEL 3, SENATE BUILDING, MAKERERE UNIVERSITY WITH EFFECT FROM 5th JANUARY, 2026.

A NON-REFUNDABLE APPLICATION FEE OF SHS.55,000/= FOR UGANDAN AND EAST AFRICAN APPLICANTS OR $76.5 OR EQUIVALENT FOR INTERNATIONALS, (UGX.286,250=) PLUS BANK CHARGEs SHOULD BE PAID IN ANY OF THE BANKS USED BY UGANDA REVENUE AUTHORITY (URA)

CANDIDATES WHO HOLD GRADES X, Y, Z, 7 AND 9 OF ‘O’LEVEL RESULTS SHOULD NOT APPLY BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ADMISSION.

Advert-DIPLOMA-DEGREE-HOLDERS-Private-Sponsorship-2026-2027 Download

ONLINE APPLICATION PORTAL USER GUIDE

Applicants should access the Institution’s Admissions URL https://apply.mak.ac.ug

Signup using full name, e-mail and Mobile Number. Please note that your name must be similar to the one on your supporting academic documents for your application to be considered valid. If you changed your names please go to Senate Building Office 611 with a deed poll and gazette supporting the name change.
A password will be sent to both your e-mail and mobile number.
The system will prompt you to change the password to the one you can easily remember.
To fill a form (all form sections must be filled)the applicant clicks on the APPLY NOW button displayed on the running scheme.
Obtain a pay reference nunber(PRN) after submitting the application.
Make a payment at any of the banks used by Uganda Revenue Authority.

MOBILE MONEY PAYMENT STEPS:

1. Dial *272*6# on MTN or Airtel

2. Select option 3-Admission

3. Select option 3 Pay Fees

4. Enter reference number obtained from Application portal

5. Details of Application form will be confirmed

6. Enter PIN to confirm payment

The closing date for receiving applications was extended to Friday 13^th March, 2026.

General

Call for Applications: Diploma Holders under Government Sponsorship 2026/2027

Published

23 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Mak Editor

The Academic Registrar, Makerere University invites applications from Diploma Holders only for admission under the Government Sponsorship Scheme (not exceeding 5% of the intake capacity) to the University Degree Programmes for the 2026/2027 Academic year listed in the document attached below.

Each applicant should possess at least a Credit or Second Class or equivalent Diploma in a relevant field from a recognised Institution plus a Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) with at least 5 Passes (or its equivalent) and a Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) with at least One Principal Pass and Two Subsidiary Passes obtained at the same sitting (or its equivalent).
A non refundable application fee of Shs.55,000/ = (Fifty five thousand shillings only) excluding bank charges using an ACMIS Pay Reference Number should be paid to any bank used by URA before submitting a system generated application form to the Admissions Office, Room 315 Level 3, in the Senate Building, Makerere University.
Certified copies of Diploma Transcripts (not photocopies of certified copies) from the awarding Institutions must be attached to the application forms. Incomplete application forms shall not be processed.
Details of the Diplomas required for each programme are in the document attached below, the same list can be found here: https://mak.ac.ug/how-apply/diploma-holders-application-guide
N.B. Applicants will be responsible for verification of their academic documents from the awarding Institutions.
Each applicant should also attach a copy of the Birth Certificate to the application form.

Advert-DIPLOMA-HOLDERS-Govt-Sponsorship-2026-2027 Download

The closing date for returning the system generated application forms and certified copies of the academic documents to the University was extended to Friday 13^th March, 2026.