Law
Deans of Law Schools meet to discuss strengthening Clinical Legal Education (CLE)
On the 22nd June 2022, Professor Christopher Mbazira, Principal – Makerere University School of Law joined other Deans of Law Schools under the auspices of the East African Network of University Law Clinic (EANULAC) to discuss how to strengthen collaboration in the area of clinical methodology to teach law. Other Deans attending the meeting were Dr. Ines Kajiru, Dean of Law, University of Dodoma; Dr. Ana-Luis Haule, Dean of Law, Ruaha Catholic University; Ms Halima Miigo, Dean of Law, University of Iringa, and Ms. Agnes Mwiza Ngussa, representing Ms. Esther Mdegipala, the Dean of Law, St. Jordan University College, Morogoro Tanzania. EANULAC is supported by the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABAROLI) in this initiative.
At the meeting, the Deans discussed ways of strengthening collaboration in the area of using the clinical methodology to teach law, which involves teaching the law in context and using experiential learning methods. The Deans agreed: To use the expertise and student resources at their universities to promote human rights and access to justice in the communities in their neighbourhoods; To engage in joint activities, sharing of resources and jointly mobilise research grants in advancing their Schools and legal education in the East African region. In addition, the Deans took note of the need to revive the East African Law Teachers Association (EALTA) and committed to pursuing this matter. The EALTA will serve as a forum for sharing experiences and academic resources as well as developing curricular in line with the needs of the region.
The meeting was preceded by a training in the use of the clinical methodology of teaching law held on 21st June 2022 at St. Jordan University College in Morogoro, Tanzania. Over 30 law lecturers from the University of Dodoma, Mzumbe University, Makerere University, Ruaha Catholic University, University of Iringa, Muslim University Morogoro were trained.
Law
China-Africa Forum for Law School Deans ends with Partners’ committing to enhanced collaboration
On 5th November 2024, Law School Deans, Academicians, researchers and students from Africa and China met at School of Law (SoL), Makerere University in Kampala Uganda for the 6th China-Africa Forum for Law School Deans. The Forum themed, ‘Legal Guarantee and Educational Support for High-Quality Development of China-Africa’ was hosted by SoL in partnership with Renmin University of China and Xiangtan University, China.
This forum was proposed at the 8th Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in 2021 in Dakar, Senegal, The resultant Dakar Action Plan (2022-2024) explicitly proposed to support holding the China-Africa Forum of Law School Deans to among other things: encourage and assist China-Africa Universities in jointly building China-Africa legal research centres; training of legal professionals; and promoting China-Africa exchanges and cooperation for legal knowledge and legal talents.
In his remarks, Dr. Ronald Naluwairo – Associate Professor and Principal, SoL welcomed participants to SoL, Makerere University and Uganda. ‘SoL opened its doors in 1968 and has grown into one of the greatest schools of law in Africa and enjoys global recognition for its work’, he said. He thanked Xiangtan University, China with who Makerere has a memorandum of understanding for the collaboration that started in 2014 and introducing the other partners present. He expressed hope that at the end of the meeting, tangible areas of collaboration supporting social justice will be defined for the partners; and a compilation of a report of the papers presented for knowledge transfer and policy development.
Professor Henry Alinaitwe – Deputy Vice Chancellor/Finance & Administration, Makerere University represented the Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe. He welcomed participants and encouraged them to tour Uganda, Pearl of Africa before departure for an appreciation of Uganda’s beauty. ‘Teaching of the law can contribute to social transformation of our people in Africa and China. This is therefore an important platform for discussion improvements in legal education for both Africa and China’, he said. Professor Alinaitwe thanked the partners for choosing Makerere to host and hoped for productive, enlightening deliberations during the forum which will lead to enhancement of the collaboration.
The forum was officially opened by His Excellency, Ambassador Zhang Lizhong – Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Uganda. Ambassador Lizhong expressed pleasure at seeing the participants from China and Africa in the room to support the China-Africa collaborations which have built synergy with multiple plans and strategies. He explained that in Uganda alone, China continues to export promotion, infrastructure development (roads, dams, and airport) among others. He noted that there has been an increase of people exchange between China and Africa and it is therefore important that the nations understand better the legal setups for better collaboration and development mutually beneficial to all. ‘I thank Makerere for the support of the collaboration and I hope to see development of legal research centres as outlined in the Accra Action Plan’ the ambassador noted.
Presentations by participants through the day culminated into proposal of the following as key issues for further consideration and development:
- Recognition that legal education and legal exchanges are essential foundations of friendly cooperation between China and Africa and the China-Africa Forum of Law School Deans is an effective platform to promote the cooperation. The Forum will therefore be held regularly.
- Expand the scope, enhance effectiveness and impact of the Forum.
- Establish exchange mechanisms to promote cooperation, including joint international conferences and co-publish academic journals.
- Encourage law teachers’ research cooperation among faculty to improve research quality and facilitate mutual visits.
- Promote friendly exchanges among young legal professionals, providing support for their studies and exchanges at partner institutions
- Collaborate of developing educational programmes, including courses on comparative studies of China-African legal systems.
-
Business & Management1 week agoCoBAMS Hosts Workshop to Review Parish Development Model
-
General1 week agoProf. Nawangwe calls for Increased Government Sponsorship for Students with Disabilities
-
Business & Management1 week agoStudy Explores PPPs for Sustainable Development in Uganda’s Tourism and Health Sectors
-
General3 days agoMastercard Foundation Scholars Empower Schools in Mukono and Kyegwegwa Districts
-
Business & Management1 week agoPassing the Torch: Dr. Wokadala Hands Over Deanship to Dr. Banga