Connect with us

General

JKUAT & JICA to Partner with Makerere

Published

on

A delegation from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) visited Makerere University on Tuesday 5th July 2022. The delegation was led by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs (DVCAA), Prof. Robert Kinyua who was accompanied by Prof. Daniel Sila, the Dean School of Food and Nutrition Sciences, Prof. Stephen Kimani, an Associate Professor in School of Computing and Information Technology; Associate Professor Shohei Aoki (JICA expert) from the Department of Mechatronics Engineering and Ms. Mai Toda Nakano, the JICA Project Coordinator/Higher Education and Research Institution Network based at JKUAT.

The visitors were received by the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance and Administration (DVCFA) Prof. Henry Alinaitwe who was represented by Prof. Tonny Oyana, the Principal College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS). The Director, Directorate of Research and Gradate Training, Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza gave a brief on Makerere University, highlighting that the institution is celebrating 100 years of existence this year.

“Currently, we have a student population of approximately 40,000; 32,000 undergraduate and 8,000 postgraduate. Unlike previous intakes, the number of postgraduate students admitted has increased as Makerere is now working towards becoming a research-led university, cognizant that it is these students who drive the research agenda. We now graduate about 100 PhDs every year and all disciplines are represented. Makerere has about 1,500 academic staff of whom 80% have PhDs” remarked Prof. Buyinza.

The visiting DVCAA Prof. Kinyua thanked the hosts for the warm welcome and informed the DVCFA that they were here to work together with Makerere University with support from JICA through the project Africa-ai-Japan, which is based at their university. JKUAT had done a lot of research with other universities and organizations. Established in 1994, JKUAT currently has 5 Colleges with the core mandate of training in Agriculture and Engineering. JKUAT has a student population of 3,500 and 1,000 teaching staff with 200 part-time staff.

JKUAT houses the Pan African University, Institute of Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation (PAUSTI) which is a hub for education and research in Science, Technology and Innovation through collaboration with communities, industries and higher education institutions in Africa.

Ms. Mai Toda informed the hosts that the Africa-ai-Japan project was founded on four pillars namely; 1) Capacity Development through skills development and trainings 2) Enhancement of the Research environment with modernization of equipments for research 3) Dissemination of research outputs through seminars and conferences and 4) international linkages. JICA supports wholesome prototype development that entails modeling, design and prototyping.

L-R: Ms. Mai Toda Nakano, Prof. Stephen Kimani, Ag. DVCFA-Prof. Tonny Oyana, Head of the JKUAT-JICA delegation-Prof. Robert Kinyua, Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza, Prof. Daniel Sila, Associate Professor Shohei Aoki and Ms. Martha Muwanguzi pose for a photo in the DVCFA’s Office during the visit on 5th July 2022 in the Frank Kalimuzo Central Teaching Facility, Makerere University.
L-R: Ms. Mai Toda Nakano, Prof. Stephen Kimani, Ag. DVCFA-Prof. Tonny Oyana, Head of the JKUAT-JICA delegation-Prof. Robert Kinyua, Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza, Prof. Daniel Sila, Associate Professor Shohei Aoki and Ms. Martha Muwanguzi pose for a photo in the DVCFA’s Office during the visit on 5th July 2022 in the Frank Kalimuzo Central Teaching Facility, Makerere University.

JICA is supporting JKUAT and PAUSTI through employing modern technologies in developing African indigenous knowledge and wisdom into products and services. Linkages are important when it comes to exchange of experts from other universities. Prof Sili the Dean School of Food Technology at JKUAT informed the hosts that his School started an International Masters in Food Science and is already working with Dr. Abel Atukwase, the Dean School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering, Makerere University.

Prof. Kimani informed the hosts that his School of Computing was working with Dr. Engineer Bainomugisha from CoCIS in the area of Information Technology (IT) and would like to expand and strengthen this collaboration.

Dr. Shohei Aoki said that Africa-ai-Japan project was in Phase Two 2020-2025 and during this phase, they seek to have more interdisciplinary collaborations with other institutions and build synergies in the science, technology and innovations, hence the visit to Makerere, a premier university in the region. Through the project, JICA offers scholarships to staff to do PhDs in Japan and also provides state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment. Prof Kinyua emphasized the need to widen the network and share infrastructure and resources for the benefit of both institutions. He proposed that activities such as joint application for funding for research grants and infrastructure be undertaken.

Makerere is well endowed and rich in all disciplines. The University is investing more in research to build capacity to solve national and regional problems. Over the last two decades, Makerere has been involved with the Swedish government in the area of capacity building where students and staff have received support to do Masters and PhDs through the Swedish International Cooperation Agency –SIDA.

The Acting DVCFA, Prof. Oyana expressed his excitement at the prospect of a tripartite collaboration with JICA and JKUAT. He concluded that the way forward would be to initiate a Memorandum of Understanding outlining how the three parties would work together; defining the roles of each party in the agreement, areas of collaboration and the time frame within which to collaborate. He proposed that signing of the tripartite agreement be undertaken as part of the climax of Makerere‘s year-long centenary celebrations scheduled for October 2022. Implementation would then commence after October.

Writer:  Martha Muwanguzi, Head-Mak International Office

Mak Editor

General

Admission Lists for Postgraduate Programmes 2025/26

Published

on

The Directorate of Graduate Training (DGT), Makerere University has released the admission lists for applicants successfully admitted for postgraduate programs for the 2025/26 Academic Year. The lists include postgraduate diplomas, PhD and Masters programmes.

Please see admission lists for the respective Colleges listed below:

Update 30th July 2025

Prof. Julius Kikooma
DIRECTOR DGT

Mak Editor

Continue Reading

General

IGAD Board Visits Mak, Reiterates Commitment to Promoting Academic Mobility

Published

on

Prof. Edward Bbaale (5th Left) with the delegation from IGAD after their courtesy visit on 29th July 2025. Chairperson and Members of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Board of the Higher Education Council Courtesy Visit to Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa, Tuesday 29th July 2025.

The Chairperson and Members of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Board of the Higher Education Council on Tuesday 29th July 2025 paid a courtesy visit to Makerere University following the 5th Meeting of the IGAD Universities Forum held in Kampala from 28th to 29th July. The delegation was received by the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Edward Bbaale in the presence of Dr. Muhammad Kiggundu Musoke, Makerere University’s representative to IGAD.

In his welcome remarks, Prof. Bbaale on behalf of the Vice Chancellor and the University Management thanked the delegation for including a visit to Makerere on their Kampala itinerary, “It is an honour and privilege to host you here today,” he remarked.  He equally thanked Dr. Kiggundu Musoke for representing the University on IGAD and facilitating the visit.

Prof. Bbaale acknowledged that IGAD continues to play a critical role in fostering regional cooperation, peacebuilding, and sustainable development in the Greater Horn of Africa. “The inclusion of higher education in IGAD’s strategic priorities speaks volumes about the importance you attach to knowledge, skills, and research as tools for transforming societies,” he supplemented.

Right to Left: Dr. Victoria Anib Majur, Dr. Muhammad Kiggundu Musoke, Prof. Edward Bbaale, Dr. Kebede Kassa Tsegaye and another IGAD official during the discussions. Chairperson and Members of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Board of the Higher Education Council Courtesy Visit to Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa, Tuesday 29th July 2025.
Right to Left: Dr. Victoria Anib Majur, Dr. Muhammad Kiggundu Musoke, Prof. Edward Bbaale, Dr. Kebede Kassa Tsegaye and another IGAD official during the discussions.

The Acting DVCAA reiterated that Makerere University takes great pride in her IGAD membership, as well as the collaborative research partnerships, capacity-building initiatives, and policy dialogues that seek to harmonise and strengthen higher education in the region undertaken therein. He equally lauded the participation of regional Vice Chancellors and Senior Academic Leaders in IGAD’s activities, “Your presence affirms our collective resolve to build stronger institutions and knowledge systems that respond to the developmental needs of our communities.”

He noted that Makerere in pursuit of her strategic research-led agenda takes cognizance of the importance of partnerships at regional and international levels and urged the leaders present to nurture them. “We need to build a strong academic and research network so that we have seamless flow staff and students on the African continent,” adding that “We hope this visit will further deepen the bonds between our institutions and inspire new opportunities for collaboration in teaching, research, innovation, and regional integration.”

Prof. Edward Bbaale (Left) presents coffee grown, roasted and packaged by Makerere University to Dr. Victoria Anib Majur (Right) in appreciation of the delegation's visit. Chairperson and Members of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Board of the Higher Education Council Courtesy Visit to Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa, Tuesday 29th July 2025.
Prof. Edward Bbaale (Left) presents coffee grown, roasted and packaged by Makerere University to Dr. Victoria Anib Majur (Right) in appreciation of the delegation’s visit.

Dr. Kebede Kassa Tsegaye, the IGAD Senior Coordinator of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Program expressed delight at visiting Makerere, noting that the University and Republic of Uganda are strategic and extremely valuable partners of the regional body.

In her remarks, Dr. Victoria Anib Majur the Head, IGAD Health and Social Development Division thanked Makerere and other regional universities for promoting mobility among learners by endorsing the implementation of the IGAD Regional Qualifications Framework (IGADQF). “It is our pleasure that your institution and all other partner institutions in the region are joining IGAD in fulfilling the mission of regional integration through skills development and through qualifications.”

She reiterated IGAD’s commitment to push for; excellence in education, inclusivity of gender and persons with disabilities, and promotion of skills that will prepare learners, especially refugees, returnees, and those from host communities in the IGAD region for the marketplace. The IGAD Secretariat is hosted by the Republic of Djibouti and region covers the host country-Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.

Mark Wamai

Continue Reading

General

Directorate of Graduate Training Concludes Training of Trainers in Advanced Research Methods

Published

on

By Moses Lutaaya

The Directorate of Graduate Training concluded a 3-day training of trainers in Advanced Research Methods for lecturers selected from different schools and colleges, including College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), College of Education and External Studies (CEES), College of Business and Management Sciences (COBAMS), College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) and College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB). The training took place between 16th-18th July 2025.

The training which was organized by the Directorate of Graduate Training and supported by CARTA, Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (TERID) Research Hub at Makerere University, took place at the Senate Building Conference Hall.

In his opening remarks, the acting Deputy Vice Chancellor –Academic Affairs Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi emphasized that each of the PhD cross cutting courses has got their unique role and importance that it adds to everyone including lecturers and other scholars.

He commended the wealth of experience of the trainers and thanked them for coming up with different core methods of teaching the Advanced Research Methods course.

“It takes courage to stand before PhD holders and train them. However, the more you listen, the more you understand that there is a lot you don’t know”, Prof. Buyinza added.

Prof. Buyinza emphasized that these PhD cross cutting course were approved by the Senate and that they are now regular programs of the University, adding that participants must now be assessed, sit examinations and avail certificates to the participants.

“We need the seriousness of the trainees while attending these courses. You are the crop that we look to in training and meeting the demands of the over 500 PhD students we admit each year.” He said.

He further said, “Once you have the skills we require of you in these courses, we will avail you with the course description to teach and train the PhD students. We need a multi- disciplinary team because Advanced Research Methods requires so.”

He called upon the Graduate Training Directorate to train many more to enable the university have a sizeable number of facilitators. “Train as many as you can. Give them the basic principles and we shall have a crop of facilitators that Makerere University needs.”

Prof. Buyinza also informed the participants that the package and course content of the training were very relevant and that even if one did not do research methods at Masters, then at PhD, with this course, it makes a lot of sense to such learners. “With Pedagogy, the learner is at the center of learning and this calls for special skills in addition to integration of technology.” He added.

Relatedly, the Director of Graduate Training Prof. Julius Kikooma challenged the participants to have great knowledge takeaways from the trainers, as these will be the building blocks of future trainings to doctoral students.

“You are our building blocks and we want to use this training to strengthen your ability to take on knowledge creation and dissemination to another level through facilitating graduate trainings, even after these trainers have left.” He added.

He further added, “I challenge you to be creative and innovative. We are now competence based. How prepared are you to handle students since the curriculum has been changed to competence based approach? Focus is now on competence based teaching.” 

Prof. Kikooma further added that the Advanced Research Methods training encourages and promotes competent capacity building for learners and that it is an opportunity for the university to prepare for the students who are going to join the university education after going through the new teaching curriculum that is competence based.

 Dr. Moses Okech, a participant from the Department of Extension and Innovation Studies at CAES said, “My hope is that this training is cascaded to all colleges and schools of the university to ensure uniformity. It is a training everyone needs to go through. It is broad knowledge in enhancing the quality of doctoral studies is unmatched.”

He added, “We need to implement this training to all doctoral students according to design and anticipated outcome because this Advanced Research Methods has the potential to transform our higher education system and provides more potential to produce students with transformative mindsets that can easily internalize and deliver government priority interventions like the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyoga.

Dr. Okech added, “Great training in terms of offering opportunity for instructors to check the standards that are used to support graduate students during their masters and doctoral studies.”

Prof. Joseph Ntaayi, a trainer from the Department of Procurement and Logistics Management at Makerere University Business School (MUBS) said, “Traditionally we have been receiving students and they are given to doctoral committees. However, such students have not been going through trainings like Philosophy of Science, Advanced Research Methods and scholarly writing and publications, yet students are required to write and defend research proposals, design, implement and validate a research instrument and also be able to anticipate and deal with ethical issues, write a research thesis and at least publish two (2) papers before they defend the final thesis and graduate.”

He therefore added that this training will help improve on the PhD students’ proposals and thesis, as well as their scholarly publications and this will eventually improve on the completion rates of graduate studies.

On the National Development Plan, Prof. Ntaayi said that the Students’ research areas of focus will impact positively on the policy development and implementation.

“The selection of research topics by students has been mechanical because they lacked the competence to undertake research. This training hence focuses them to select topics that have issues of national importance.” He added.

Mak Editor

Continue Reading

Trending