The DVCAA-Prof. Umar Kakumba (Left) delivers closing remarks at the Career Services Stakeholders Meeting on 17th March 2022 at Kabira Country Club. Second from Right is Project Coordinator MCFSP-Dr. Justine Namaalwa with the day's Moderator and Principal PRO, Ms. Ritah Namisango (Right).
There is urgent need to come up with a framework paper, which will be translated into a policy that can guide the provision of robust career services at Makerere University. This consensus was reached by a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Professor Umar Kakumba on Thursday 17th March 2022.
The meeting aimed at generating ideas on strengthening career services brought on board over 70 participants who included Members of Management, College Principals, Deans of Schools, Heads of Departments, Directors of Units, College Principal Communications Officers and Web Administrators, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (MCFSP) staff, Counseling and Guidance Center (CGC) staff, as well as the Public Relations Office of the University.
The Ag. DVCFA and Principal College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT)-Prof. Henry Alinaitwe (R) with stakeholders from his college.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Kakumba thanked all the Stakeholders who responded to his invitation geared at strengthening Career Services at Makerere University. Sharing his observations, he said that whereas Colleges and Schools were engaged in organizing various sessions on career services, there was need to align and formalize these activities at institutional level.
Prof. Kakumba emphasized that it was high time that the university made a deliberate effort to offer career services so that students can right from the onset have a sense of what their professional lives would entail.
Some of the stakeholders who took part in the meeting.
He informed the participants that in his capacity as Chairperson of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Steering Committee, he had taken note of the strong mentorship program developed for Scholars, which he would like to see emulated and implemented across the entire University.
“All our students need mentorship and career guidance right from the beginning of their academic Programs. In addition to the one week of orientation and the several career sessions at the different colleges or unit levels, we need to do more. We are therefore convening here today to harmonise those efforts,” Prof. Kakumba pointed out.
Dr. Justine Namaalwa, Program Coordinator, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University.
The Program Coordinator, Dr. Justine Namaalwa informed participants that the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University prides itself in supporting and cascading good practices across the entire University. She pledged the Scholars Program’s unwavering support for Career Services at the University. She shared that whereas the Scholars Program had supported about three Career Fairs for the entire University, the attendances had been low due to competing activities. Her interactions with some of the students had revealed that whereas they were keenly interested in the career fairs, their primary obligation was to attend lecturers held at the same time.
Dr. Namaalwa pointed out a number of initiatives the Scholars Program had come up with in order to build capacity of the Scholars, such as the mentorship Program, Summer Leadership camp, Summer School, Monthly capacity building workshops and trainings. She urged the University leadership and staff to adopt such programs whenever resources permit.
Mr. Henry Nsubuga, Manager Counselling and Guidance Centre, Makerere University.
Mr. Henry Nsubuga, the Manager Counseling and Guidance Centre, informed the participants that over time, the Centre has reached out to and worked with different units that offer career services to students. That notwithstanding, the services offered were inadequate due to limited resources and staffing for such a critical service at the University.
He also observed that whereas different units were involved in the provision of career guidance services, there was no proper planning for career services across different colleges. Furthermore, there was weak linkage between the University and prospective employers who could offer employment and internships to graduates of the University.
The Principal College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB), Prof. Frank Mwine (Back to camera L) with stakeholders from his college who included the Guild Speaker Rt. Hon. Gatuya Mucyo (2nd R). In the background are stakeholders from the College of Health Sciences (CHS) led by the Principal Prof. Damalie Nakanjako. Also present were Prof. Moses Joloba and Guild President H.E. Shamim Nambassa.
Mr. Nsubuga called upon all stakeholders across different Colleges to support the annual career day, which is a good platform for the students to meet with the industry and private sector, in order to get some career guidance before they transition to the world of work.
Another section of stakeholders listens to proceedings during the meeting.
The Facilitator, Dr. Betty Ezati, former Dean School of Education, highlighted the importance of career services. She singled out four major advantages that career services offer to the students;
Enhance authentic learning and build knowledge of the world of work and oneself.
Help students develop their career identity and in turn support learning.
When students understand where the degree might take them, the relevance of the learning becomes clearer, and engagement with the curriculum is strengthened.
Strengthen learners’ capacity to navigate careers and the world of work, including how to obtain work and advance in careers.
Dr. Ezati called upon all stakeholders at the university to reflect on the issue of career services across the different colleges and Schools and come up with an institutionalized approach embedded within the University calendar.
Dr. Betty Ezati, College of Education and External Studies (CEES) was the day’s facilitator.
From the highly interactive group discussions, it was evident that although career services were being offered, there was need to better the game by coming up with a planned and deliberate approach. The stakeholders highlighted the need to incorporate the Annual Career Fair/Day within the University calendar and budget. The participants also emphasized the need to budget and allocate realistic resources to career services.
The Stakeholders meeting was organized by Counseling and Guidance Centre of the University with support from Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
On 25th March 2025, a delegation of Registrars from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) undertook a benchmarking exercise at Makerere University, with a specific focus on the latter’s pioneering efforts in academic records digitalization. The delegation, led by Dr. Dickson Kalungi, Ag. Deputy Academic Registrar was received by Mr. Charles Ssentongo, Deputy Academic Registrar in charge of Admissions and Records Division, who represented the Academic Registrar (AR), Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi.
The visit was prompted by Makerere University‘s trailblazing achievements in digitalizing academic records, as exemplified by the Digitalization of Academic Records Project (DARP). This initiative has been instrumental in creating a centralized, digital one stop repository of all University’s academic records, thereby enhancing the efficiency, accuracy, and security of academic records management.
In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Ssentongo conveyed the Academic Registrar’s message and highlighted Makerere University‘s efforts to digitalize all its processes and records. He further noted that the university is intentional about creating a digital ecosystem that makes academic records retrieval easy and efficient.
“As a university, we are now intentional with the digitalization of all our processes including, digitization of our manual records that date as way back as the inception of Makerere University. Currently, the DARP project as gone as far as creating a one stop center for both Academic document verification and certification, whereby our former graduates, will only need to access the online verification and certification portal and submit their documents without necessarily having to travel many physical distances to Makerere University” Mr. Ssentongo remarked.
Registrars from MAK and MUST pose for a group photo after the meeting. Left is article author Gerald Ochwo.
In his appreciation remarks, the MUST head of delegation, Dr. Dickson Kalungi, thanked the Academic Registrar for honoring their request to come and learn from the best practices that exist at Makerere University and particularly commended the Department for the great steps and strides made in pioneering modern Academic records storage management systems.
“I want to sincerely thank the Office of the Academic Registrar for sparing time and organizing this meeting. As a University, we have embarked on a transformative change drive whereby we intend to automate all our registry processes including, the management of Academic Records. The DARP project at Makerere University, has been one project where we draw a number of lessons and we are eager to go and implement some of the best practices we have observed here today”
Conclusion
The benchmarking exercise undertaken by Mbarara University of Science and Technology demonstrates the significance of Makerere University and particularly, the Office of the Academic Registrar’s achievements in academic records digitalization. The DARP project serves as a model for other institutions to follow, highlighting the importance of investing in digital solutions to enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and security of academic records management. It further demonstrates the university’s commitment to sharing knowledge and best practices with other institutions. Makerere University‘s efforts in digitalizing academic records have set a high standard for other universities to emulate, and the DARP project is a shining example of innovation and excellence in academic records management.
Gerald Ochwo is the Liaison Officer, Office of the Academic Registrar
LAUNCH OF THE 5TH EDITION OF THE MAKERERE UNIVERSITY MARATHON (#MakRun2025)
Makerere University is pleased to announce the launch of the 5th edition of the Makerere University Marathon, also known as #MakRun2025, under the theme “Run the Hills for the Future” which is scheduled to take place on 17th August 2025.
The MakRun2025 is targeting 10,000 participants drawn from the university community, corporate entities, sports enthusiasts, and the general public. Proceeds from this year’s marathon will go towards further equipping the Makerere University Disability Support Unit and strengthening the Makerere University Endowment Fund.
Speaking as the Guest of Honour, the Minister for Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang, emphasized the unifying power of sports, stating that the “#MakRun2025 is not only about physical endurance it is a uniting force that brings people together from all walks of life, driving us towards a common goal, advancing education and inclusivity for all.”
As part of the launch event, Makerere University officially handed over assistive equipment to the Disability Support Unit, procured from proceeds of the #MakRun2024. The equipment includes:
Focus Blue 40 Braille Display – 5th Generation for the Visually Impaired
Everest D5 Braille Embosser
DUXBURY Braille Transcription Software
And other essential assistive tools to support students living with disabilities.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, reaffirmed the importance of this annual event, stating that “This event has become one of the most significant social and community engagement activities in our university calendar, bringing together students, staff, alumni, corporate partners, and members of the wider public for a good cause.”
In his remarks, the Ag. Chairperson of the Makerere University Endowment Fund, Mr. Barnabas Tumusingize, highlighted the growth of the initiative: “What started as a small university event has now evolved into a major attraction. To professionalize the event, we are incorporating race timing chips, cash prizes for winners, among other enhancements, with a vision of making it a regionally recognized major race by 2027.”
We call upon all members of the Makerere University community and the general public to participate and support this noble cause.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Tuhirirwe Karane Communications Officer Makerere University Endowment Fund +256 414 660 416/+256 703 647496
Makerere University, in collaboration with Michigan State University, invites researchers, development actors, regulators, and practitioners to submit abstracts for the Global Symposium on Insects for Food, Feed, and Food Security in Africa.
The symposium will be held from 5th–6th June 2025 at Onomo Hotel in Kampala, under the theme: Advancing the role of insects in African farming systems for feed, food, and food security. The symposium aims to share knowledge and experiences in advancing the use of insects as a solution to Africa’s food, feed, and food security challenges. Contributions on the following sub-themes are welcome.
Insects as animal feed for sustainable livestock production livelihoods
Insects for human food and food security, including indigenous insect food systems
Insects for improved soil health and crop production
Commercialization of insect farming and products, including regulation and standardization
Important Dates: Abstract Submission Deadline: 18th April 2025 Feedback to Participants: 2nd May 2025
Registration Fee: Participants will be required to pay a fee of USD 45, which will cover meals and venue costs. Limited scholarship slots are available for students and farmers. Please note that participants are responsible for their transportation and accommodation.
Submission Guidelines: Abstracts should align with the symposium themes and must be submitted by the deadline. Further details on submission formats and requirements will be provided upon request.
For further information about the symposium and Abstract submission, please refer to the contact below.
Dr. Amulen Deborah Ruth (PhD) Makerere University College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity Department of Livestock Industrial Resources P.O. Box 7062, Kampala Phone: +256 782 315 636