On 26th August 2022, the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT) conducts orientation for the Consolidating Early Career Academic Programme (CECAP). The Programme is implemented in partnership with four partner public universities that include Busitema University, Gulu University, Kyambogo University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology. The project is hosted at the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT) and is scheduled to run for 30 months – from April 2022 to September 2024. Makerere University received a grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York to implement CECAP at Makerere and partner public Universities.

A total of 25 Scholars under the programme will undertake research and related activities for a period of 24 months.  The Scholars comprises of  Makerere University (15), Kyambogo University (3), Gulu University (3), Busitema University (2) and Mbarara University of Science and Technology (2).

The overall goal of this CECAP project is to consolidate the research capacity of early career academics to enhance their research productivity and ability to contribute effectively to knowledge generation.

The project will specifically;

1. enhance the capacity of the fellows to conduct quality, relevant research with appropriate mentorship at Makerere University and Public Partner Universities (PPUs);
2. strengthen the enabling environment to encourage the retention of fellows at Makerere University and PPU;
3. fortify the individual and institutional capacity for communication of research outputs to the academic and non-academic audiences;
4. contribute to bolstering the capacity and opportunities for female academics at Makerere University and the PPUs.

The project is designed along a research team approach. The research teams comprise the Fellow as the Principal Investigator (PI), a mentor, who is a senior academic, and a master’s degree student. The mentors will supervise and provide discipline-specific expertise to the Fellow – mentoring the fellow into a grounded researcher, and the Fellows are expected to supervise the master’s students. The Fellow to undertake research, publish at least two journal articles, organize research dissemination engagements, participate in capacity-building workshops, and attend international conferences.

The project will also award a capacity development grant to each department hosting a Fellow to enhance its research environment/infrastructure. 

As the host of the project, the DRGT, will also organize short courses aimed at improving the research culture at Makerere University and partner public universities.  It is anticipated that these project activities will expand the community of research leaders and doctoral supervisors at Makerere University and public partner universities.