In the month of February 2022, the Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS) was involved in the orientation of first year students/Freshers and training of student leaders.

It has been a productive, engaging and fruitful month where we had face-to-face and virtual sessions to introduce students to the key ICT services they will be accessing while they study at the University.

Key things Trained On

1. How to activate their student portal
2. How to create a University email address
3. How to create a MUELE account for E-learning
4. How to connect to MAKAIR and Eduroam WiFi
5. How to be Cyber Alert

A Fresher’s orientation guide was documented and uploaded on our knowledge base and may be accesed using the Title and Link below:

Freshers’ Orientation – ICT at Makerere University | Answers at Makerere (Knowledge Base)
<https://answers.mak.ac.ug/support-and-training/freshers-orientation-ict-makerere-university>

The guide is loaded with content about DICTS; how students can access ICT services, how they can use the student portal for Payment Reference Number (PRN) generation to facilitate payments in the bank, via mobile money and through VISA. It also shows students how to activate their student portal, enrol and register for their programmes and course units.

DICTS worked closely with Exploits Fellowship; a group of students from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS). We also had the opportunity to work with another group of students from CHUSS led by Clinton Wandera. The students were trained on the
different ICT services at DICTS’ College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) office. They were then equipped with tools (Laptops) to be able to support fellow students.

To broaden our reach, we set up a tent at the Freedom Square and publicized the engagements using our social media presence. Over 2,234 students were supported through this setup at the Freedom Square.

This article linked below highlights what we did through the Digital Literacy Program, February 2022
<https://dicts.mak.ac.ug/articles/digital-literacy-program-february-2022>

Student leaders

We equipped over 173 student leaders with skills in ICT services that enabled them better support students within their colleges. This training was groundbreaking as students got first hand information from their colleagues about the different challenges of the ICT services. This made them both good candidates and beneficiaries of the training.

Key observations

1. Student leaders can do a great deal in enabling students to embrace the ICT services through knowledge sharing.
2. Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) were not well catered for except for one orientation held at the Central Teaching Facility 1 (CTF1) for students of Social Sciences where an interpreter was present. DICTS will arrange for specialized training that will bring them up to speed.
3. A number of students faced difficulty with digital literacy, basic reading of instructions and technophobia, which was at high play. These factors will be addressed through continuous training.
4. Many students have embraced social media as a way of getting support. DICTS has a strong social media presence where we do not only give support but ensure students enjoy a good customer experience.

We thank the University Management, College Principals and Leadership, Student Leaders, the DICTS team, College ICT teams and our Director for enabling this to happen successfully.

Arthur Opio
End User Support Administrator
Directorate For ICT Support(DICTS)
Twitter @DICTSMakerere Facebook @MakDICTS
Email: arthur.opio@mak.ac.ug
Phone: 0782294711