Natural Sciences
CoNAS students win awards at the International Petroleum Technology Conference
The International Petroleum Technology Conference, IPTC is the flagship multidisciplinary technical event in the Eastern Hemisphere. IPTC is sponsored by four industry organizations and societies namely; the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE), the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG), and the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).
The oil and gas industry continues to invest in initiatives aimed at engaging young people in the energy sector in order to ensure the world’s ever-growing energy demands will be met. IPTC supports this effort through its educational activities. This year’s edition of IPTC was held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with Saud Aramco as the exclusive host.
At each IPTC event, the top 100 undergraduate science, geoscience and engineering students from around the world are invited to participate in IPTC’s Education Week. This program aims to give students a clear insight into the industry they are about to join and the opportunity to interact with a number of major industry employers who are looking to recruit the best talent from institutions around the world.
Four students from the Department of Geology and Petroleum Studies, College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), Makerere University; Busingye Diana, Oyire Gerald, Kusolo Solomon Matanda and Mugoya Michael, were successfully selected to be part of the 2022 Education Week that took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 19 to 23 February 2022.
During the five-day programme, the students experienced a multitude of activities that aimed at preparing them for a life beyond the university. These activities included developing their professional skills by learning together on joint projects, networking with their peers and executives in the oil and gas industry, attending IPTC technical and panel sessions and participating in dynamic road trips. Students were grouped into 19 different teams where they participated in different competitions such as the Geo-steering competition organized by ROGII, Scavenger Hunt by Schlumberger and the Field Development challenge using Petrel and PIPESIM organized by Schlumberger.
The Makerere students team won first place award in both the Field Development challenge and the Geo-steering challenge. Special thanks to the Faculty Advisor (SPE), Mr. Kawule Wycliff, for nominating the students to apply for this prestigious event, and to the entire staff of the Department of Geology and Petroleum Studies for the support accorded to the students.
Natural Sciences
Mak Paves Path to Biodiversity Leadership: Inaugural ABS Project Workshop Strengthening Uganda’s Nagoya Protocol Capacity
By Laban Lwasa
In a groundbreaking event that unfolded at Makerere University‘s Telepresence Center on November 7, 2023, the Inception Workshop for the ABS Project took center stage, hosted by the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology, and Biotechnology. Prof. Tumps Ireeta, Principal of CoNAS, set the tone with a warm welcome, highlighting Uganda’s rich biodiversity and the pivotal role of the Nagoya Protocol in ensuring the legal utilization of genetic resources. The collaboration between NEMA and Makerere University, supported by the GEF, aims to equip professionals with ABS knowledge and position Makerere at the forefront of Nagoya Protocol compliance.
Prof. Arthur Kajungu Tugume, Dean of the School of Biosciences, emphasized the project’s significance in institutional capacity strengthening for the Nagoya Protocol’s implementation in Uganda, showcasing the School of Biosciences as a hub for genetic resource research and training. The pilot project, in collaboration with NEMA, GEF, and UNEP, aims to expand countrywide and potentially across the African continent. It seeks to empower a skilled workforce informed on ABS issues, contributing to economic development and poverty eradication as aligned with SDG 1.
Mr. Achuu Peter, Project Manager from NEMA, highlighted Uganda’s extraordinary biodiversity and the need to explore the benefits of genetic resources for medicines, food, and more. He emphasized the importance of the Nagoya Protocol in mitigating biodiversity loss and highlighted challenges faced by Uganda in terms of weak institutional capacity, inadequate policies, and lack of coordination for ABS. The project focuses on strengthening ABS frameworks, capacity building, community-level management, and raising awareness to ensure equitable benefits from genetic resource utilization.
Mr. Daniel Abowe, UNCST ABS Project Officer, shed light on the complex landscape of national ABS laws in Uganda, resulting in legal complexity and high transaction costs for users. He also detailed the Uganda research approval process, emphasizing UNCST’s role in ABS implementation, which includes issuing access permits and ensuring benefit-sharing agreements. The multifaceted project aims to align Uganda with the Nagoya Protocol’s goals and foster collaboration between higher institutions and local communities for the management of genetic resources.
Dr. Katuura Esther, the Project Principal Investigator at Makerere University, highlighted the institution’s pivotal role in training and research. Makerere University aspires to be a thought leader, committed to providing transformative teaching, learning, research, and services that cater to dynamic national and global needs. The institution’s strategic goals encompass leadership in high-quality programs, knowledge dissemination, research, scholarship promotion, and corporate social responsibility. Dr. Esther also addressed the challenges and opportunities in preserving indigenous knowledge, emphasizing the role of digital technologies and collaboration between research institutions and local communities.
The programs designated for updating at Makerere University are a comprehensive effort to align with the Nagoya Protocol. Notable among these programs are BSc Applied and Economic Botany, BSc in Conservation Biology, Bachelor of Biotechnology, Masters in Botany, Masters in Genetics, Masters in Plant Pathology and Crop Science, and Masters in Economic Botany. This holistic approach aims to contribute to the conservation and equitable utilization of genetic resources.
Dr. Cyprian Misinde, the Director of Quality Assurance at Makerere University, emphasized the importance of incorporating international and global standards into the academic curriculum. He underscored the crucial role of projects like ABS in enhancing the capacity of professionals and equipping them to become part of a globally competitive workforce. This workshop marked a significant stride in Uganda’s journey towards sustainable biodiversity management and conservation, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond its borders, leaving a lasting impact on the world stage.
Laban Lwasa is the Senior Administrative Assistant, Makerere University, Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU)
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