On Monday 8^th August 2022, Dr. Wing Kai To – Assistant Provost for Global Engagement and Senior International Relations Officer at Bridgewater State University Massachusetts, USA visited the International Office. Dr. To was accompanied by Ms Jennifer Musisi, an Educational USA Advisor at the US Mission – Kampala and Dr. Saul Dumba  from the Geography, Geomatics and Climatic Sciences Department who was coordinating the visit.

The purpose of the visit was to learn about the International Office activities at Makerere University and explore possibilities of Makerere hosting more American students and scholars. Dr. Kai To had scheduled meetings in seven colleges to share experiences of the American study abroad programme and also learn from the Colleges  their willingness and challenges of handling the students.

Dr. To is responsible for overseeing international operations such as partnerships and exchange agreements, global academic programs, study abroad, international student and scholar services. Ms Martha Muwanguzi – Head of International Office made a presentation about the activities of the International office as an administrative unit in the office of the Vice Chancellor which works with academic and other administrative units in the university. It is a first point of contact for international visitors seeking to collaborate and partner with Makerere University. The Office is also mandated to maintaining an MOU/Agreements database in addition to handling international student affairs in the University. An International officer responds to prospective student enquiries concerning requirements for admission, advising on the application procedures and deadlines for submission of applications. We perform the same functions and experiences are similar, said Ms Muwanguzi. The biggest challenge we face with international students is housing as many prefer staying on campus for their safety. By the time they report for studies, the halls of residences are fully occupied and so are the hostels. Accommodation normally available is far away from the university and at times students do not feel comfortable with public transport. All the same this can be managed and accommodation reserved in the halls of residence once we are sure the students will be coming at a particular date. Most American students coming to Makerere are occasional ones who go to the College of Health Sciences(CHS) for clerkship and clinicals at the National Referral Hospital while they are attached to departments and supervised by CHS professors.

If the university is seeking to become a research-led university, then internationalization should be strengthened at all levels and the Office equipped with appropriate staff to manage the different aspects of internationalization.

Ms Muwanguzi urged Dr. Kai To to encourage the American students to apply for both short term and full time studies at Makerere University for a lifetime experience in the oldest and  premier university in Africa.