The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe responds to questions from journalists during the Press Conference on 7th February 2022, CTF1, Makerere University.
The University Management has received several inquiries from students and other stakeholders regarding the decision to proceed with the blended mode of teaching and learning, despite the full reopening of the economy.
Firstly, it should be noted that the decision to continue with the blended mode of teaching and learning was taken before the full reopening of the economy. Therefore, all arrangements for the first semester and subsequent approvals by Senate and Council were made against this background.
The Blended Teaching and Learning Schedule for Semester One is as follows:
TEACHING AND LEARNING (ODeL/BLENDED LEARNING) 10 WEEKS
Group 1 (Physically present on Campus) First Year Students; All Students on Health and Veterinary Science Programmes; All Architecture, Engineering and Agriculture Programmes; All Masters Students except MPH Distance and other distance graduate programmes.
Group 2 (On Open, Distance and e-Learning-ODeL) Year two; All Continuing Students and Finalists.
5 weeksSaturday 5th February to Saturday 12th March 2022.
Group 1 (On (On Open, Distance and e-Learning-ODeL) All First Year Students
Group 2 (Physically present on Campus) Year two; All Continuing Students and Finalists; All Students on Health and Veterinary Science Programmes; All Architecture, Engineering and Agriculture Programmes; All Masters Students except MPH Distance and other distance graduate programmes.
5 weeksMonday 12th March to Saturday 16th April 2022.
SEMESTER ONE EXAMINATIONS
Group 2 (Physically present on Campus) Year two; All Continuing Students and Finalists; All Students on Health and Veterinary Science Programmes; All Architecture, Engineering and Agriculture Programmes; All Masters Students except MPH Distance and other distance graduate programmes.
2 weeksMonday 18th April to Sunday 1st May 2022.
Group 1 (Physically present on Campus) First Year Students; MPH Distance and other distance graduate and undergraduate programmes
2 weeksMonday 2nd to Sunday 15th May 2022.
Semester 1 2021/2022 Calendar/Schedule
Secondly, the country is experiencing a surge in infections by the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and yet not all students and members of staff have been vaccinated. It should be further noted, that the blended teaching and learning using Open Distance and E-Learning (ODeL) policy was approved in 2015 as the most appropriate mode of teaching and learning in the modern higher education provision.
The University considers the health and safety of our students and staff as priority number one. There is nothing more valuable than life. After losing four senior members of staff to COVID we must be very cautious.
We are working out a roadmap for possible full opening of the University for face-to-face teaching and learning in the shortest possible time, hopefully by the second semester. In order to achieve this, we have made arrangements to vaccinate all students against COVID-19. Currently, only 20% of the students are vaccinated. In the meantime, we will continue with blended learning.
I therefore encourage all students to strongly desist all attempts to disrupt University activities, under the pretext of demanding full reopening of the University.
Bullying of Freshers
The University Management received reports of bullying of freshers by some continuing students. This bullying was in the form of forced jogging, physical assault and use of offensive or profane language. The same individuals also destroyed university property in an attempt to get the freshers out of their rooms.
I wish to re-affirm that Makerere University observes a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying and any other form of assault, as well as destruction of University property. This unruly behavior is a contravention of the Makerere University Students Regulations 2015, 8 (9) (b) (III) and (iv) as well as 9 (a) and (b).
Six (6) students were involved in bullying freshers, physical assault and destruction of University property. In this regard, three (3) students have been suspended, while three (3) students have received warning letters.
This morning, a group of around 20 students disrupted classes and engaged in other acts of hooliganism. I have suspended twelve (12) of those students who were identified and I will suspend all the others once they are identified.
I wish to once again re-assure all our stakeholders that the University Management will continue to enforce disciplinary measures against some students who engage in this unacceptable behavior.
Makerere University is committed to ensuring an environment that is safe and conducive for teaching and learning, research and community service. Nobody will be allowed to disrupt this environment with impunity.
The College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) conducted a Research Dissemination of two studies aimed at the Development of Materials for point of use water treatment systems.
The investigations were conducted by a team of researchers comprised of P. W. Olupot, H. M. Kalibbala, E. Menya, G.M. Wangi, J. Jjagwe, J. Wakatuntu, M. Turyasingura, R. Walozi, C. Kanyesigye and R. N. Kulabako.
The dissemination event held on Wednesday 29th November 2023 follows the successful completion of two MakRIF supported Research projects namely; Development of rice husk based granular activated carbon for point-of-use water treatment systems and Development of zeolite-based nanocomposite filters for drinking water treatment.
The School of Engineering at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) shared findings of research that was conducted in Apac Districts through two projects namely Piloting a Rural Broadband Connectivity Model (RCBM) and Efficacious patient management system (EPMS).
The findings of the research sponsored by the Government of Uganda through the Makerere University research and Innovation Fund(MakRIF) were disseminated during a dissemination seminar held in the College on Friday 24th November 2023, where it was revealed that Apac the host District greatly benefited from the services that not only led to the increased uptake of internet services but also gained through other socio economic areas.
The Academic Registrar, Makerere University informs all Head Teachers of A ‘Level schools that application forms for admission to public universities for senior six candidates (UACE 2023) for the 2024/2025 academic year will be ready for collection from the university from Monday 4th December, 2023.
The application forms should be collected from the Office of the Academic Registrar, Senate Building, Level 3, Makerere University.
Issuing of the application forms will start on Monday, 4th December 2023 on payment of a non-refundable application fee of Uganda Shs. 52,000/=(fifty two thousand Uganda shillings only) per application form.
You are advised to get a pay reference number (PRN) using the ACMIS system (http://pay.mak.ac.ug) to enable you pay the application fees in any bank used by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).
The forms are for Ugandans only.
Please note that only Head Teachers or their authorized representatives will be served.
The closing date for submitting the completed application forms will be Wednesday 31st January, 2024.