General
WUN’s Prof. Lennie Visits Mak, Applauds Impactful Membership
The Executive Director, Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), Prof. Peter Lennie who is on a two-day fact-finding visit to Makerere has applauded the University’s impactful membership since she joined the network on 20th September 2020. Makerere has since joining WUN partnered on six successful applications, and is lead partner on one of them courtesy of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)’ Dr. Isaac Newton Alou.
Founded in the year 2000, the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) is a leading global higher education network of 25 research-intensive universities. These are drawn from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Ghana, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, Uganda, United Kingdom, and the United States.
Prof. Lennie’s visit to Makerere started off with a morning engagement with the University Management on Monday 21st March 2022, where he was welcomed by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
“We thank you very much for the invitation to join WUN. Our staff are now applying for research grants with member universities. This is aligned to enhancing the internationalization of higher education as well as Makerere University’s implementation of strategies to become a research-led University” said the Prof. Nawangwe in appreciation.
The WUN Executive Director thanked the Vice Chancellor and members of Management for the warm welcome and commended Makerere for uniquely contributing to the network. He explained that the network focuses on research in universities capitalizing on the university potential with respect to comparative advantage in regions, disciplines, fields and culture. He added that WUN distinguishes itself from other networks by focusing on research as opposed to education, as well as engagements with international bodies and organisations such as the UN agencies.
Prof. Lennie added that WUN through its Research Development Fund provides support to establish collaborative research under four globally significant themes of; climate change, public health, global higher education and research, and understanding cultures.
Following the engagement with University Management during which the Vice Chancellor presented an assortment of souvenirs to Prof. Lennie, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Umar Kakumba chaired a session during which the Executive Director met with the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT), College Principals, Deans and researchers.
Introducing Prof. Lennie to the audience in the Telepresence Centre, Senate Building, the DVCAA said the Executive Director is a Professor and Neuroscientist at the University of Rochester. Prof. Lennie is the founding Chair of the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at Rochester, where he has also served as Vice President and Provost.
The DVCAA acknowledged that staff and students had greatly benefited from Makerere’s WUN membership. “Four of our students have been able to participate in the Summer School programme at the University of York, Dr. Dorothy Okello has been working with a team to support the WUN and as a result of initiatives by member universities, a team from the School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering as well as the School of Psychology were supposed to go to South Africa before COVID interrupted.”
Prof. Kakumba then introduced Associate Prof. John Mango from the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) who has been appointed as WUN Coordinator for Makerere University, with support from the Office of the DVCAA.
During the interaction that followed his presentation, Prof. Lennie clarified that although the WUN’s support to collaborative research falls in the four aforementioned globally significant themes, researchers were free to propose a new theme through their WUN Coordinator for consideration for funding under the Research Development Fund (RDF). The RDF has invested over £2.4 million in the last 13 years, with awards of £10,000 to each successful applicant.
Prof. Lennie’s interaction with Principals and Deans was followed by a visit to the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) and thereafter the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) and Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK). Facilities toured at MUARIK included the Makerere University Regional Centre for Crop Improvement (MaRCCI), Dairy Farm, Poultry Farm, Agricultural Engineering Lab, Smart Green House – Hydroponics facility established with support from Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and students and staff hostels.
On Tuesday 22nd March 2022, Prof. Lennie will conclude his fact-finding visit to Makerere University with a trip to the School of Public Health (MakSPH), College of Health Sciences (CHS).
Written by: Ritah Namisango, Mak Public Relations Office
The Director of Makerere University Jinja Campus, Associate Professor Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala, has urged students to familiarise themselves with the Safeguarding policy aimed at creating a safer and more inclusive learning environment.
Speaking during the safeguarding policy sensitization meeting held today Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, emphasized the importance of awareness and adherence to the policy, which seeks to protect students, staff, and other stakeholders from all forms of abuse, harassment, exploitation, and discrimination.
“As Management we want every student to enjoy their stay at the University without being tormented and that can only happen, if students know their rights by reading about different policies on our website. You are meant to be living in a safe environment. We do not want anybody’s dream to be shattered or somebody to drop out from University,” Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, said.
In his speech, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, also called upon students who have complaints but do not know the reporting lines, to approach staff safeguarding champions to make sure that they live in a safe environment.
Addressing guests, Emmanuel Muchake, the Guild Administrator at Jinja Campus, pointed out that the launch of the safeguarding policy is timely because as a University, without creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning, they will not have students graduate.
On Friday, April 4,2025, the Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Portfolio, Right Honourable Lukia Isanga Nakadama, officially launched the Safeguarding Policy and commended Makerere University for crafting a policy that lays out the University’s framework for embedding viable safeguarding measures into its ethos and all institutional activities and processes to: Identify, detect, and act swiftly on safeguarding risks.
The Safeguarding Policy was developed in response to the growing need for institutions of higher learning to implement proactive measures that address concerns related to student welfare, mental health, gender-based violence, and power imbalances in academic settings.
Some of potential safeguarding risks in Institutions of higher learning include emotional distress, Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH); material loss, financial exploitation, discrimination and neglect, unfair and illegitimate response to civic engagements, cyber security/threats, psychological and emotional harm, substance abuse and physical assault. Discrimination and neglect which are often high risks for students with disabilities and international students.
The safeguarding policy sensitization meeting in Jinja Campus brought together students and staff in a meaningful dialogue on safeguarding issues affecting learning.
The event was graced by Dr. Rodney Rugyema, from the Dean of Students Office, who emphasized the University’s commitment to the well-being of all its members. In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of safeguarding policies in preventing abuse, harassment, exploitation, and other forms of misconduct within the Jinja Campus community.
“Safeguarding is not a one-time action, but a continuous culture of care and accountability. We all have a role to play in ensuring a safe and respectful space for learning and growth,” Dr Rugyema, said.
The sensitization session covered key topics including; recognizing signs of abuse, understanding reporting procedures on the MakSafeSpace and fostering mutual respect among peers.
Participants were encouraged to actively engage and reflect on their roles in upholding safety standards both on and off campus.
Students who attended the sensitization welcomed the initiative, with many expressing optimism that the policy would improve campus safety and encourage victims to come forward without fear of retaliation.
“We have seen issues go unreported in the past because students didn’t know where to turn. This policy provides clarity and assurance that the university is taking these matters seriously,” noted, a third-year student.
The University plans to conduct a series of sensitization workshops and distribute printed copies of the policy to ensure that every member of the campus community is well-informed. This initiative is part of Makerere University‘s broader strategy to reinforce its values of integrity, respect, and protection for all.
The Safeguarding Sensitization Meeting concluded with a collective pledge to uphold safety, dignity, and mutual respect within the University community.
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