General
Buzzibwera SSS Students Visit Makerere University for Career Guidance
It was a moment of joy for Advanced level students from Buzzibwera Senior Secondary School to visit Makerere University, an institution that they would love to join to pursue higher education studies.
On 28th February 2022 at 8:30 am, Advanced level students from Buzzibwera Senior Secondary School visited Makerere University for career guidance, gaining a deeper understanding about the admission process, and to have an experience of life at campus!
The students accompanied by their Career and Guidance teachers Ms. Rachael Nakazinga and Ms. Florence Namugga were received by Ms. Ritah Namisango, the Principal Public Relations Officer of Makerere University.
Welcoming the students, Ms. Namisango informed the students that they were visiting Makerere University at a time when this great institution was celebrating 100 years of existence (1922-2022). “Your educational tour/visit is very special to us. You are our prospective students. This University started in 1922 with only 14 students. It continued to grow because secondary schools would teach students who would enroll at the University. I take note that you are Advanced level students, who are on a journey that will soon lead you to universities.”
Ms. Namisango informed the students that the University administration would be very happy if they joined Makerere University. She advised the students to work towards getting the best grades.
“To join Makerere University, you must excel. Your teachers will do their part, but you need to double the efforts to do your part so that you excel. I advise you dear students to focus on your studies, participate in debates, group discussions and seminars,actively engage the respective subject teachers, and be disciplined,” she said.
In line with the students’ desire to have an experience of life at campus, Ms. Namisango conducted a tour focusing on key University spaces and facilities including Makerere University Central Teaching Facility 1 that houses the University Administration and lecture spaces, the Senate Building, Freedom Square, the Main Library and among others.
According to Ms. Rachael Nakazinga, the Career and Guidance teacher, the education visit to Makerere University provides exposure to the students and provokes them to worker harder with raised and focused ambitions.
Ms. Namisango then led the students to Makerere University Senate Conference Hall for the Career Guidance session. The students were blessed to receive an informative education tutorial from Mr. Charles Ssentongo, the Deputy Registrar (Undergraduate Admissions and Records) under the Department of the Academic Registrar.
Mr. Ssentongo emphasized the need for students and teachers to understand the subject combinations and the courses/academic programme that one can pursue at Makerere University.
“If you desire to be an engineer, a teacher, computer scientist, medical doctor, a nurse, an entrepreneur, a business analyst, the subject combination is very essential. The subject combination determines the academic programme that you will pursue at the University. When you undertake that particular programme, study and excel, you can then become the person you desire to be with respect to career options.”
During the highly interactive session, each student mentioned his or her subject combination. The students were also requested to mention three (3) choices following the order of preference of what they would like to become in future. This exercise revealed to Mr. Ssentongo that students needed further grounding on aligning subject combinations to the academic programmes that they would like to pursue as well as their dream jobs/career paths. After an in-depth and interactive session on subject combinations, Mr. Ssentongo then highlighted the weighting system for the respective academic programmes/courses that the prospective students preferred, admission criteria and the avenues including Government sponsorship on National Merit, the private sponsorship scheme as well as the district quota.
Mr. Ssentongo informed the students that he is a living example of a student who studied from a middle range school (not those very powerful schools that you always mention), but he worked hard and joined Makerere University.
“We have students who studied from ‘middle range’ schools, excelled and joined Makerere University. I am one of them,” said Mr. Ssentongo.
He added: “You just need to be focused and have a dream that you can execute using your ability and having interest in what you want to do at the University. Some academic programmes like engineering require talents, so you must have the talent. Then the personality, can your personality handle your particular dream job/career. We have seen people with personalities that cannot take them where they want.”
“For example you may want to be a midwife but when your personality cannot handle a pregnant woman; you want to become a lawyer, but you don’t want to talk during discussions at school; you may want to be a teacher, but you are very shy and you do not want to talk to people.” Ssentongo said.
Responding to a request from one of the students to explain the district quota entry scheme further, Ms. Namisango revealed that to qualify you must have been born in that particular district and also studied your Advanced level from that district. “For example, if you are studying at Buzzibwera S.S.S, to qualify for the district quota, you should have been born in Luwero and studied your Advanced level in one of the schools located in Luwero District.”
To inspire the students further, Ms. Namisango invited Mr. Alex Mugalu-a student of Makerere University who has recently completed a Bachelor of Journalism and Communication (a four-year study programme) to share his experiences.
“Like the previous speakers namely Mr. Ssentongo and Ms. Namisango, my message is simple. If you work hard, convince your brain and mind that you should join Makerere University, develop a positive attitude towards education, you will make it. I studied my Advanced level from Kololo High School and I joined Makerere University to pursue a Bachelor of Journalism and Communication. It is one of those academic programmes in the humanities, where you are required to have good grades to get an admission letter,” he said.
Mr. Mugalu also recalled the vivid memories when while in Advanced level (S.5 and S.6) at Kololo High School, he would walk through the Makerere University campus via the swimming pool, and he would assure himself (talking to himself) that he would one day make it and study at Makerere University. Living true to his dream, he joined Makerere University, he has completed the Bachelor of Journalism and Communication, he is looking forward to his graduation.
Giving a vote of thanks, Ms. Agnes Nabatyanga-a Senior Six student appreciated Mr. Ssentongo and Ms. Namisango for sharing with them the right information as they pursue their dream of joining Makerere University. On behalf of the students, Ms. Nabatyanga said they were not only pleased that they were able to be at Makerere University, but had received knowledge crucial in choosing academic programmes, developing a positive attitude and determining their destiny. She appealed to the Almighty God to bless Makerere University and to grant the students from Buzzibwera S.S.S the required wisdom so that they excel and join Makerere University.
Written by: Mak Public Relations Office
General
The 19th RUFORUM AGM in Yaoundé calls for consolidated efforts towards transforming higher agricultural & tertiary education to contribute to sustainable development & food security in Africa
The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), a consortium of 163 universities in 40 African countries held its 19th Annual General Meeting at the Palais De Congres in Yaoundé, Cameroon from 28th October to 2nd November 2023. The first of its kind in West and Central Africa, the RUFORUM AGM 2023 provided an opportunity for over 600 delegates from Africa and beyond including; Ministers, Development Partners, University leaders, students, private sector leaders; farmers and farmer representatives; emerging and early career researchers as well as other key stakeholders in agriculture and higher education to share experiences and chart a way forward for transforming higher agricultural and tertiary education to contribute to sustainable development in Africa under the theme: Transforming Higher Education to Sustainably Feed and Create Prosperity for Africa.
Officially opened by His Excellency Paul Biya, President of the Republic of Cameroon, represented by Professor Jacques Fame Ndongo, Cameroon’s Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education, the 19th RUFORUM Annual General Meeting in Yaoundé provided a platform for participants to deliberate on key strategies for transforming higher agricultural and tertiary education to contribute to national, continental and global development as well as building consensus among key stakeholders in agriculture and higher education on the actions required to strengthen the role and/or integration of universities in agricultural and national development processes in line with the aspirations of the African Union Agenda 2063 ‘The Africa We Want’.
In a speech presented by Professor Jacques Fame Ndongo at the official opening ceremony, His Excellency Paul Biya, President of the Republic of Cameroon stressed RUFORUM’s significant efforts to support the African Union Agenda 2063 when he said, “RUFORUM’s vision 2030, makes the body a significant contributor to transformation of Africa and vehemently seeks to harness the discovery, engagements and learning of vibrant transformative universities to catalyze sustainable, inclusive agricultural development to feed and create prosperity for Africa.”
According to him, it is worth indicating that agriculture in Africa should be understood in its broadest sense to include but not limited to animal and crop production, livestock, wild life, fisheries and forestry. Hence RUFORUM’s mission since its inception in 2004, of strengthening the capacities of universities to foster innovation responsive to demands of small holder farmers through the training of higher quality researchers, the output of impact-oriented research and maintenance of collaborative working relations among researchers, farmers, national agricultural research institutions, the Private sector and government is worthy prioritizing.
He called upon participants to use the meeting forum to change the face and image of the African continent through constructive and fruitful deliberations on agricultural production, food safety research and better health food security. To him the RUFORUM AGM is a bigger opportunity to think and act, make proposals, formulate recommendations and necessary resolutions which if acted on can change the face of the African continent.
“This is the turning point for the African continent to think big and have the courage to dream big. This is our opportunity to make a difference in our world. This is the opportunity Africa needed to change the target of its demand of action. We have to mutualize and federate our actions and voices in the interest of a united, strong and prosperous Africa,” he said.
The 19th RUFORUM Annual General Meeting carried a unique vibrant turn as being the first to be held in West and Central Africa. The weeklong event broke the record as the most and well attended ever with over 600 participants across the region as well as international delegates. The colorful event was embroiled with informative, constructive, edutainment activities in form of pre-AGM events, side events, Business Meetings, capacity building and mentoring sessions, scientific conferences, poster sessions and exhibitions well aligned to key thematic areas as well as the AGM theme: Transforming Higher Education to Sustainably Feed and Create Prosperity for Africa.
Additionally, high-level policy dialogues with Ministers, Senior Government Leaders and Development Partners were held to review the finance and other resource mobilization strategies as well as following up on the actualization of the available national, regional and global policies geared towards higher education transformation and ensuring of food security in Africa.
Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, Prof. Theresia Nkuo-Akenji, the RUFORUM Board Chair and Vice Chancellor University of Bamenda thanked His Excellence Paul Biya and the Government of Cameroon for accepting to host the 19th RUFORUM Annual General Meeting and equally appreciated the financial support towards the same cause.
In a special way, Prof. Theresia Nkuo-Akenji thanked the Ministry of State for Higher education and all the sister ministries of Government of Cameroon that worked hard to see to it that the 19th RUFORUM AGM is a success. Equally, the Board Chair, extended her sincere gratitude to the people of Cameroon for the warm reception and support.
“My special tribute goes to the members of AGM 2023 Sub committees. You have indeed done a great job throughout the ten months of organizing this significant event. On behalf of RUFORUM Network, I thank you. To the RUFORUM Secretariat under the dynamic leadership of Prof. Patrick Okwori, accept our immense gratitude for your strong determination and dedication,” she gratefully said.
She recognized the tremendous achievements and developments aligned to RUFORUM’s nineteen years (19) of existence noting that the strong network has wisely selected its priority areas of focus to transform higher education and agricultural sector in Africa as;
- Reform the training agenda for Africa to meet the development needs
- Entrepreneurship and business incubation for wealth creation
- Research for Development and wealth creation
- Partnerships for scale and impact
“As African people, permit me to use the adage of a broom; it is easy to break a single broom piece but when you combine several small brooms together they then make a broom stack that will not be easy to break. The collective power that RUFORUM has put together through 163 universities from across 40 countries bears such strength. The Vice Chancellors gathered here today remain committed to the core values and foundations of the network. To illustrate this Your Excellency, each of the Vice Chancellors meet their own costs of participation.” She happy said.
In the same spirit the RUFORUM Executive Secretary Prof. Patrick Okori deeply thanked the host Universities that is, University of Bamenda, University of Ngaoundere, University of Dschang, University of Buea and University of Maroua under the strong and able leadership of the RUFORUM Board Chair, Prof. Theresia Nkuo-Akenji for successfully hosting the 19th RUFORUM Annual General Meeting.
He also recognized the Former Vice Chancellor of University of Ngaoundere Prof. Florence Uphie Chinje Melo who heavily supported the AGM preparations. He was astonished with the presence of the Africa Development Bank, MasterCard Foundation, research international communities, RUFORUM for Agricultural Research in Africa, the Africa Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services, sub regional Agricultural organizations such as the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) and the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF).
“You have all provided support for this engagement, thank you very much. Together we will continue this journey of transforming Africa’s Agricultural and higher education to produce human resources and development solutions that Africa and indeed the world needs,” he said.
Reflecting on the AGM’s theme, Prof. Okori emphasized the need for Africa to become food secure when he said, “Africa must be an equal opportunity creator for the young generation, it must create wealth for its people and provide opportunities for the present and future and these are well summarized in agenda 2063. It is our collective duty therefore to turn these opportunities and actions into investment.”
According to him, the RUFORUM Network remains strong in building capacity and providing the necessary development solutions and opportunities. He noted that Africa generates about 10-12 million job entrants annually but the continent’s economy in its current configuration can only produce 3 million jobs. To him, for Africa to therefore reap from its demographic dividends, there is need to strengthen the paths to demographic transition of keeping young girls in school.
Prof. Okori also mentioned that RUFORUM is currently intensifying its inclusion and diversity targets. From 45%, the network has an ambitious target of at least 70%. “We must slow the rate at which girls give birth when young. It is the only way we are going to benefit from our population dividend,” he said.
According to him, the higher degree needs for Africa is pretty dire. The World Bank recommends 10,000 PhDs to Africa. This can be compared to India whose signal population of 1. 4 billion registers 24000 PhDs a year. The pressure therefore on Africa’s side to intensify graduate training is real.
“Our graduate training in sciences therefore is one of the drivers to achieve this and it is the immense reason as to why in this meeting we have social and development partners. We are launching a journey with the Africa Development Bank that will bring us together as apex organizations in Africa to work together and solve our own challenges. However, as we do all these, we need to celebrate Africa. We should be recognizing and celebrating people who made what Africa is today,” he said.
Africa is informed by a number of important mutually interacting factors that collectively, are affecting the growth and progress of the continent. The economic outlook of the African continent in 2023 by the African Development Bank and other global apex development financial institutions was positive. However, Africa’s economic growth has since then decelerated, and is now projected to be lower than the previously projected rate of 4.1%.
Agriculture a key sector, continues to be affected by both natural and human induced factors. It continues to face serious threats from climate. Studies by the United Nation’s Convention to Combat Desertification show that Africa accounts for 44% of severe droughts recorded globally in the last 50 years, causing economic losses of more than USD 70 billion. In 2022, an estimated loss of US$ 8.5 billion in economic damages was experienced due to climate change. Clearly, climate change and weather variability, remains one of the grand challenges of the 21st century for Africa and the World, because it affects key livelihood and strategic areas of emerging economies.
Unemployment facing Africa’s dominant demographic-the youth, raises questions about education, skilling and jobs creation while inclusion and diversity, the underpinning for an equal society, remains challenging. The question then to academia, researchers, development practitioners and policymakers is, “what step must we take right now to address the challenges to our current and future generations?”
“Our resounding response as RUFORUM is in line with what Malcolm X said many years ago, “Education and research for development are the passports to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today,” said Prof. Partick Okori.
According to the Deputy Minister for Education in Malawi, Her Excellence Mdooko Nancy Chawola who represented the visiting ministers of RUFORUM partner countries, African countries should put in place vibrant resource mobilization mechanisms to collectively finance Africa’s education and support governments that are battling with competitive budgetary demands.
“For the universities to offer solutions for the challenges the continent is facing, there is need to rebuild the curriculum that responds to our current needs and not what we needed yesterday. Our respective countries are grappling with higher levels of unemployment, can investors assist by producing graduates with entrepreneurial skills so that they are able to employ themselves and others. Of course there will be need to put in place support mechanism for such graduates to take over,” she said.
She equally acknowledged the national regulatory frameworks such as the Malawi Regulation Framework 2063 developed inline with the African Union Agenda 2063 the Africa we want, in which the continent aspires to be prosperous by 2063 through various means such as modernizing agricultural for increased production and productivity there by making people food secure.
She applauded RUFORUM’s efforts towards zero hunger in Africa through its vision 2030. According to Mdooko Nancy Chawola, food security is supposed be prerogative as well highlighted in the Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) that is geared towards ending hunger, attaining food security, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable development.
In Cameroon, Agriculture and Education have been prioritized as drivers for economic growth and transformation. Through an agricultural flagship program initiated by His Excellence Paul Biya, science programmes and financial services as well as favorable ways of accessing market have been introduced in the country with the aim of transforming agricultural sector into a value added industrialized and integrated system engine of economic growth.
According to Prof. Ngomo Horace Manga- Vice Chancellor, University Buea, the government of Cameroon has resolved to grant its people with education that can help them manage their personal, national and Africa’s present and future economic destiny. In 2022, His excellence Paul Biya endorsed the recruitment process of 2000 lecturers in universities to ensure the quality of higher education in Cameroon.
“Collectively these education reforms and investment actions affordably can transform the people of Cameroon into a strong emerging market. Cameroon carries the highest science female adoptive rate in sub-Saharan Africa at 73%. This is a strong result of government delivery of United Nations SDG 5 of achieving education and build human capital for the country,” he noted.
The Opening Ceremony for the 19th RUFORUM Annual General Meeting unlocked the floor for critical discussions and meetings throughout the week. At the same function, RUFORUM presented a contemporary painting to His Excellence Paul Biya, President of the United Republic of Cameroon in recognition of his outstanding, selfless and patriotic services s to the people of Cameroon and Africa at large.
On 25th October 2023, the RUFORUM Network equally participated in the Cameroon Higher Education Day, the first of its kind in the country.
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