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Mak holds Consultative meeting: Stakeholders enrich draft Counselling & Guidance Policy

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On Friday 1st April 2022, Makerere University convened a consultative meeting that brought on board staff from different units of the University to provide views that would further inform the ongoing process of developing the Counselling and Guidance Policy.

The formulation of the Counselling and Guidance Policy is a key component of the research project titled, Strengthening Psychosocial Support Services at Makerere University. The research project is funded by the Government of Uganda through Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF). Mr. Henry Nsubuga, the Manager Counselling and Guidance is the Principal Investigator.

Welcoming the participants, the Facilitator of the meeting, Dr. David Onen from the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) emphasized the need for stakeholder consultation, engagement and involvement in policy formulation.

Dr. David Onen, the Facilitator provides a reflection on policy making.
Dr. David Onen, the Facilitator provides a reflection on policy making.

“Stakeholders should be consulted. Consultation enables us to understand the needs of those to be affected by the Policy.  It provides a platform to reach a common understanding of the goal and objectives of the policy, its benefits and implementation. When people are consulted, it leads to ownership of the policy,” he said.

Providing a reflection on Policy making, Dr. Onen informed the stakeholders that the ultimate beneficiary of the policy should be the learner. With Makerere University being an education institution, the stakeholders should focus on answering the question: “How does the policy benefit the learner?” He highlighted that a good policy must be goal based. He also appealed to every stakeholder to always follow a bottom-to-top approach in policy formulation.

In a presentation on the need for a Counselling and Guidance Policy, Mr. Nsubuga explained that psychosocial support services are crucial in ensuring holistic growth, development and wellbeing of students and staff. He pointed out that the learner does not operate in a vacuum and as such, the learner’s environment significantly determines his or her performance and wellbeing in general.

Facilitator, Dr. David Onen (Left) with the Principal Investigator, Mr. Henry Nsubuga (Right).
Facilitator, Dr. David Onen (Left) with the Principal Investigator, Mr. Henry Nsubuga (Right).

“In the pursuit of his or her goal while at Makerere University, the learner is faced with a number of challenges in the environment. Some of these issues if not attended to quite fast have a negative effect on the learner’s academic performance, mental, physical and social wellbeing as well as staff providing services to the learners,” he said.

He noted that some of the challenges could be academic, financial, unfulfilled dreams, unrealistic goals, relationship-based, health issues to mention, but a few.  Some, he added, could be coming from issues external to the learner’s environment such as family, but still have significant impact on the learners’ focus and wellbeing. In the same vein, some of the staff providing education services could also be grappling with the same issues affecting learners.

Dr. David Onen (standing) engages participants in Discussion Group 1.
Dr. David Onen (standing) engages participants in Discussion Group 1.

From the participant’s point of view, the development of the Counselling and Guidance Policy would contribute to strengthening psychosocial support services at the University.

Building on the presentations, the Facilitator of the day, Dr. David Onen asked a question: “How many of you feel that it is important for Makerere University to develop a Counselling and Guidance Policy?”

With the pace already set, Dr. Onen was preaching to the converted, and the stakeholders unanimously agreed that it was necessary to formulate the Counselling and Guidance policy.

Participants in Discussion Group 2 deliberate.
Participants in Discussion Group 2 deliberate as Facilitator, Dr. David Onen (3rd Left) listens.

Pleased with the positivity towards the process of policy formulation, Dr. Onen engaged the participants through interactive group discussions focusing on the objectives of the policy, the people to be affected by the policy, counselling and guidance services being provided, and recommendations of the Counselling and Guidance services that the stakeholders would like to be offered. The views of the stakeholders were effectively captured for incorporation into the proposed Mak Counselling and Guidance Policy.

Providing a Way Forward, stakeholders stressed the need to fast-track the development of the policy and unanimously agreed that the Counselling and Guidance Centre should play a central role and participate in all issues that concern students and staff at all levels. They further called for the integration of digitization in the provision of counselling and guidance services.

Participants in Discussion Group 1 deliberate.
Participants in Discussion Group 1 deliberate.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Nsubuga thanked the Co-Principal Investigator, Dr. Elizabeth Nansubuga for the commitment towards the implementation of the research project. He commended the Facilitator and Stakeholders for the active participation that had provided valuable input into the draft Mak Counselling and Guidance Policy. He also acknowledged the University Management for supporting the strategies aimed at strengthening counselling and guidance services at Makerere University.

Written by: Ritah Namisango, Mak Public Relations Office

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Office of the Academic Registrar Lauded for Groundbreaking Achievements In Digitalization

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Mr. Charles Ssentongo (5th Left), together with Office of the Academic Registrar staff members are joined by Dr. Dickson Kalungi (4th Right) and MUST Registrars for a group photo in front of the Senate Building on 25th March 2025.

By Gerald Ochwo

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.
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

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Press Release: Launch of #MakRun2025

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Makerere University officially launches the 5th Edition of the Makerere University Marathon #MakRun2025, 27th March 2025, Main Hall, Main Building, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

27th March 2025

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

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Call For Abstracts: Global Symposium on Insects for Food, Feed & Food Security in Africa

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Some of the speakers lined up for the Global Symposium on Insects for Food, Feed, and Food Security in Africa, 5th–6th June 2025, Onomo Hotel, Nakasero, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

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.

  1. Insects as animal feed for sustainable livestock production livelihoods
  2. Insects for human food and food security, including indigenous insect food systems
  3. Insects for improved soil health and crop production
  4. 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

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