Connect with us

General

RUFORUM Triennial Thought Pieces: ISSUE 07 – Prof. Theresia Nkuo-Akenji

Published

on

Operationalizing Higher Education for Innovation, Industrialization, Inclusion and Sustainable Development: Key Issues and Needed Actions to Move Africa Forward

The training delivered by many universities in Africa is not employment-oriented. There are inadequate links between training programs, capacity building, skills and the labour-market. There is therefore a growing mismatch between the needs of employers for graduates with employable skills and the skills possessed by the available workforce and job seekers. There are three key issues responsible for the mismatch. The programs are:

  • a) Not relevant to the needs of the community or not demand driven
  • b) The teaching methods are not designed to enhance creativity
  • c) Training job seekers and not entrepreneurs who will create jobs for themselves and others and hence enhance industrialization.

Relevance of Training

There is a need to transform the training and research programs in High Education Institutions (HEI) in Africa to respond to the needs of society or community. These programs need to be revised on the basis of what the community needs. To achieve this, HEIs have to work in partnership with stakeholders in their communities to assess their current and emerging needs. Research and Training programs will therefore be designed to address these issues. The research agenda will be developed through community engagement to identify challenges or problems before HEI can engage in research to come out with innovative solutions to address them. In so doing, the adoption of innovations will be greatly enhanced because they will be addressing the real needs of the community.

Enhancing Creativity

The model of teaching needs to move away from being teacher centered where students are spoon-fed to retain and reproduce information in examinations to a student-centered approach where the teacher is a facilitator or coach. This approach will enhance the creativity of students and lead to increased innovation.

There are various models that have been proposed to explain the role of education and research in the thought and development process. The pipeline or linear model in particular is based on the proposition that knowledge is the engine for economic growth thus by investing in man power development at one end of the line results in new ideas delivered at the other end of the line. This model stresses the need for a sound educational system that is not skewed towards any specific discipline but emphasizes that once knowledge is gained it can be invoked in the resolution of difficult questions in a rationale and objective manner – creative thinking! The spin-off model in a complimentary manner argues that knowledge acquired through proper training leads to innovation and the invention of products that were not the primary motive of the training. For example, a software engineer who develops a new application after training in an engineering school may eventually set up a new company to produce and distribute the application. This product was not the motivation for the training but is a by-product (spin-off) of the appropriate skills gained in the course of the training.

Read more

Mark Wamai

General

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

Published

on

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 27th February, 2026 to Friday 13th 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

Mak Editor

Continue Reading

General

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

Published

on

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. 

OR

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.     

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 13th March, 2026.

Mak Editor

Continue Reading

General

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

Published

on

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.

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

Mak Editor

Continue Reading

Trending