The Embassy of the United States of America in Uganda is coordinating a study Abroad engagement entitled, “Establishing University Partnerships to attract more US Scholars and Students”.
The Study Abroad engagement which is sponsored by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs will focus on holding institutional capacity of Ugandan Colleges and Universities to host more US students, interns, researchers and teachers.
The embassy hired the US consultant Prof. Wing-Kai, the Assistant Provost for Global Engagements and Senior International Officer at Bridge Water State University to conduct eight workshops at Makerere University colleges.
The embassy engaged Dr. Daniel Ddumba, a Lecturer from the department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences to facilitate the execution of this program.
In the morning of 10th August 2022, Prof. Wing-Kai, was in the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS) where he met the Principals, Deans, Heads of Departments, scholars and students to understand the process of global cooperation.
Prof. Wing-Kai said, the meeting was used as a channel to improve the activities for international collaborations.
“What I found is that this college has productive exchanges with Europe and United States but there some people are not aware of these collaborations and these collaborations can be improved by providing funding for Ugandan students to go to the West for short term opportunities. I hope that my visit can encourage the US government and American universities to start working with this college and to provide more opportunities for professors and students”, Prof. Wing-Kai.
Following the COVID-19 Pandemic and its impacts on all sectors, Prof. Wing-Kai stressed that this was the time for the college and partners to rethink their structure for improving international collaboration.
“We are going to talk to the Principal whether there is going to be an international office and a coordinator to manage the collaborations with international entities and how to develop different strategies for prioritizing the partnerships so that they have clear goals and outcomes and try to make it sustainable for the future”, Prof. Wing- Kai pledged.
On the same day 10th August 2022 afternoon, Prof. Wing-Kai held a meeting with management, staff and students from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS). Prof. Wing -Kai described the meeting especially with students who formed the majority as interesting.
“ Most of the audience are undergraduate and some graduate students. I hear about their experiences. I want to encourage them to think about having an international experience in future by trying to go abroad for short term and developing some international activities and to internationalize the curriculum on campus not just going abroad. It is easier to internationalise through connecting with international community in Kampala and abroad here physical and virtually”, Prof. Wing- Kai said.
Prof. Wing-Kai implored the university management to increase the capacity for internationalization so that Makerere can improve the infrastructure and programs, and to tap into the United States experience in internationalization.
Some of the proposed initiatives by students include creating internship platforms and streamlining scholarship to cater for undergraduates, streamlining international coordination, facilitating online discussions between Western and African students and strengthening the office of the Dean of students to facilitate academic exchanges.
Other initiatives to strengthen collaboration suggested include organizing the US-Makerere special events such as competitions, workshop, annual exhibitions, camps, cultural performances that would provide opportunities to highlight international education as well as the American, European , Chinese etc culture on campus.
Other proposals were the need to form the US-Mak Alumni association, organizing short visits for students and staff to and from Africa to see how programs are run, joint research and, forming a community of practice to share ideas and to network.
Other proposed initiatives include promoting online education to expose students and staff to best structures and expertise, promoting virtual conferences, joint publications and more student engagement of students outside the classroom through debates and clubs.
Jane Anyango is the Principal Communication Officer, CHUSS and CoCIS
The Centre for Innovations & Professional Skills Development, College of Computing & IS at Makerere University is announcing the Middle East & Africa NetAcad Olympics 2024 FREE Training Clinic. The opportunity is here to raise the next generation of Network Professionals. All youth are invited to be part of this competition and experience a change in their lives. Participants will be exposed to either Network foundations CCNA 1 (Introduction to Networks), Cybersecurity Ops (How you can protect networks and yourself online today), and/or Network Security (protect and secure of the underlying networking infrastructure).
Dates: 1st – 31st March 2024
Opportunity begins here.
Cisco NetAcad is offering the following trainings :
Makerere University College of Computing & Information Sciences ‘Centre for Innovations and Professional Skills Development (CIPSD) is a highly regarded unit in Makerere University and plays a significant role in providing individuals with practical computer knowledge and skills to support a 21st century knowledge-based economy. The centre strategically offers training that is responsive to the needs of the society which is achieved through tailoring courses towards what the industry demands. The Centre has been at the forefront to assist government and other organizations to build human capacity with various ICT skills. The Centre has the capacity to enroll 5,000 students per annum because it has large-sized computer laboratories with a 500-seater capacity.
CIPSD’s mission is two-fold:1) to offer ICT professional skills development and incubation of new ideas, as well as, nurture new technology-based businesses; and 2) to augment theoretical computing knowledge among individuals and ground them with relevant professional ICT skills for industries.
Courses Offered
Certificate in Computer Applications (CCA) @ UGX 200,000 for 5 weeks This is an introductory course that teaches one how to use a computer and the basic applications used in an office, business, or computing environment. New intake commenced on 5th Feb 2024. Time: 9:00am to 11:00 am daily for 5 weeks
Cisco Certified Networking Associate CCNA) @ UGX 700,000 for 6 months Designed for people who have no previous computer networking experience, schoolleavers, graduates and mature entrants retraining for a second career. The course provides knowledge and skills related to network fundamentals, LAN switching technologies etc.
PC Repair & Software Maintenance@ UGX 700,000 for 8 weeks This course provides an excellent introduction to IT and an interactive exposure to personal computers, hardware& operating systems as well as advanced concepts
Cisco Certified Networking Professional (CCNP) @ UGX 1,000,000 for 6 months The current CCNP curriculum is divided into two skill sets : Advanced routing & Core networking This course is the advanced level required of Network Engineers
Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate /Microsoft Azure (Fundamentals and Administration) @ UGX 700,000 for 2 months per module This course is for professionals who examine and investigate company needs and then plan, design, install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot Microsoft Windows Server solutions, SQL Database server systems etc. (Consists of 5 modules)
ORACLE Database 19C @ UGX 800,000 for 3 months Administration Workshop Course Overview In this oracle certification you will learn about Oracle database administrator practical experience in administering, monitoring, tuning and troubleshooting an Oracle database. Through a blend of hands-on labs and interactive lectures you will learn how to create database storage structures appropriate for the business applications supported by your database.
Certificate in Graphics & Image Editing @ UGX 600,000 for 2 months Learn the design software programs that every pro needs to know: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Discover techniques for creating digital images, illustrations, and layouts, addressing fundamental concepts in color, typography, and composition.
Dynamic Website Development @ UGX 600,000 for 2 months Get the skills and hands-on practice you need to succeed in the complex and challenging world of web development.
Cyber Security Ops Associate @ UGX 700,000 for 2 months Students learn about the protection of computer systems and networks from the theft of or damage to their hardware, software, or electronic data, as well as from the disruption or misdirection of the services they provide.
Certificate in Video Editing & Motion Graphics @ UGX 500,000 for 2 months In this certificate you will learn how to edit and tell a story using Adobe Premiere Pro, use After Effects to create motion graphics and titles and use Adobe’s Dynamic Linking to make the most efficient workflow possible.
IC3 Digital literacy/ICDL @ UGX 1,400,000 UGX for 2 months (Internet Core Competency Certification) Digital Literacy certification is a global benchmark for basic computer literacy, operating systems, hardware, software, and networks.
Ethical Hacking @ UGX 700,000 for 6 weeks Many depend on ethical hackers to identify weaknesses in their networks, endpoints, devices, or applications. The hacker informs their client as to when they will be attacking the system, as well as the scope of the attack. An ethical hacker operates within the confines of their agreement with their client. Who is best suited for a career in Ethical Hacking? Ethical hackers are generally experts in programming, cybersecurity, security analysis, and networking infrastructure. Ethical hackers tend to be out-of-the-box thinkers
Artificial Intelligence (Machine Learning & Deep learning) with PYTHON@ UGX 700,000 for 6 weeks This is a hands-on coding course that focuses on Labs and projects& It entails:
Implementing a linear regression model using Python and NumPy.
Building a decision tree classifier for a given dataset using scikit-learn.
Developing a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to classify images using TensorFlow or Keras.
Training a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) on a given text dataset to generate new text.
Implementing a reinforcement learning algorithm to train an agent to play a game. Etc
Programming/Coding in PYTHON @ UGX 600,000 for 2 months This course will provide an introduction to programming using Python for highly motivated students with little or no prior experience in programming automated devices. The course will focus on planning and organizing programs, as well as the grammar of the Python programming language
Data Analysis & Visualization Using PYTHON @ UGX 700,000 for 4 Weeks Python is a great language for doing data analysis, primarily because of the fantastic ecosystem of data-centric Python packages. Pandas is one of those packages, and makes importing and analyzing data much easier. The course delves into: Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA)
3D Computer Animation 3D Computer Animation is a practice-led course that explores both the theory and practice of digital 3D animation in film, television, games and interactive applications. For the Beginners’ Stage UGX 500,000, For the Intermediate Stage UGX 650,000 & For The Advanced Stage UGX 650,000 (7 Months Total Duration & 1 Month Of Internship At Crossroads Multimedia Ltd)
Computer Skills Bootcamps and Master Classes. We also organise special bootcamps and master classes in January, March, June, August, October, and December. These hands-on practial sessions are meant to help participants brush up their Computer skills.
661 graduands from the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS) were on 31st January awarded degrees and diplomas in the different disciplines during the 3rd session of Mak 74th Graduation ceremony.
Of that total, 626 graduates walked away with undergraduate (Bachelors degrees), 32 with Masters Degrees, 2 with PhDs while 1 got a Post Graduate Diploma.
The five-day long graduation ceremony kicked off on the 29th of January 2024 – 2nd February 2024. During the course of the 74th graduation ceremony a total of 12,913 graduands received degrees and diplomas of Makerere University. Of these, a total of 132 graduands graduated with PhDs, 1585 with Masters degrees, 11,016 with Bachelor’s degrees, 156 with postgraduate diplomas, and 24 with undergraduate diplomas.
53% of the graduands were female and 47% were male. In the category of PhD graduands, 46 were female and 86 were male. In the category of students graduating with Master’s degrees, 699 were female and 886 were male.
The graduation ceremony was presided over by the Vice Chancellor Makerere University Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe. Nawangwe executed the role of Chancellor as provided for in the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act following the expiry of the tenure of Prof. Ezra Suruma as Chancellor. The University Council commenced the search for his successor that was on-going.
CoCIS Commended for Noble Research in Artificial Intelligence to Solve Africa’s Problems
Reflecting on the May 2019 UNESCO conference on Artificial Intelligence and education in Beijing, China, the Vice Chancellor asserted the university’s potential and commitment to utilization of AI to make a difference for Africa.
Prof. Nawangwe reported that the University through the College of Computing and Information Sciences in collaboration with the School of Public Health received a grant funding worth US$1,500,000 (5.5bn/=) from Google to support its Ocular project that is undertaking research on usage of Artificial Intelligence to enhance the diagnosis process of Malaria, Tuberculosis and Cervical Cancer in Uganda.
Launched on 13th September 2023, the project team led by Dr. Rose Nakasi benched on the rampant challenges faced by the laboratory experts while undertaking diagnosis procedures. Health centres in Uganda are not only strained with the escalating number of patients seeking for laboratory screening tests – the country has few trained laboratory technicians to support the diagnosis process using the microscope.
The research team according to the Nawangwe took advantage of the existing technologies such as the smartphone and the availability of at least a microscope in every health centre across the country to develop a 3D printable adaptor that was attached to an eye piece of the microscope. The 3D adapter was also slotted in the smartphone to capture images.
With the capabilities of Artificial intelligence through computer vision, images can be processed and this directs the experts where the pathogens are. This technology shortens the diagnosis process making it more accurate, quicker and easier to diagnose health conditions and potentially reducing screening time by over 80%.
The Vice Chancellor also reported that in addition, researchers led by a second-year PhD student Paddy Junior Asiimwe designed a device to monitor elderly people with dementia and cognitive impairment in rural Uganda. The device, wearable by the elderly will monitor the patients’ movement and location and then signal the caretaker and the hospital in case of emergencies.
The technology funded by Government of Uganda through Mak-RIF was disclosed on 13th October, 2023. It monitors elderly people remotely using GPS technology which defines a safe zone around a user and a PDR system to monitor the position of the user within the safe zone. This technology is cheap, and better than the systems existing on market, and is best recommended for more resource constrained environments. The system operates independent of the user mostly in rural areas who cannot read and write. It does not require electricity and runs on batteries, charged once a week and can run for 30 days.
Prof. Nawangwe also highlighted how university researchers lead by Prof. Engineer Bainomugisha has invented devices geared towards monitoring and managing air quality across cities on the continent.
“The AirQo Project, in collaboration with various partners launched the CLEAN-Air Africa Network on 5th April 2023 bringing together communities of practice from over fifteen cities in Africa, with a focus on utilising low-cost sensors for air quality management in Africa.
Held under the theme: Championing Liveable Urban Environments through African Networks for Air, the workshop served as a Launchpad for Africa-led collaborations and multi-regional partnerships for sustained interventions to achieve cleaner air across the Continent”, Nawangwe appreciated.
Five get the Vice Chancellor’s Research Excellence Awards 2023
During this third session , the Vice Chancellor recognized the best researchers listed and published in the Graduation Booklet and the Mak News Magazine. The awards were based on Scopus database. The researchers were honored by the Vice Chancellor and Chairperson of Makerere University during the convocation luncheon held at Makerere University Convocation House.
CoCIS best researchers included.
Prof. Bainomugisha Engineer
Prof. Nabukenya Josephine
Nabende Peter
Professor Baguma Rehema
Odongo Eyobu Steven
Prof. Nawangwe urged all staff to continue conducting research on national development priorities as well as matters of global interest and publishing their work in high-impact journals so as contribute to our drive to become a research-led university. He also advised on the need for the research to lead to patents, copyrights and trademarks, and tangible innovations in the form of products, policy briefs, manuals and others.
The Vice Chancellor highlighted a number of achievements recorded in the last two years including the timely issuance of the academic transcripts at the time of graduation.
In his key message to the graduands, Prof. Nawangwe described graduation as the most important and most memorable day in the life of any scholar on grounds that it is a licence to succeed in life, and a privilege to serve humanity.
“You have worked hard to get a degree or diploma from one of the best universities in the World. This is a license for you to succeed in whatever you choose to do in your life career. But always remember that success will only come with discipline and hard work, while honoring your parents and fearing God.
Shortly you will become an alumnus of this great institution. Cherish the knowledge and experiences you have collected while here, but remember that learning never ends. Our gates remain open for you if you wish to pursue higher degrees”, The professor advised.
With a degree from one of the best universities in the World, Prof. Nawangwe stressed, that graduates have no reason not to succeed in life.
“Indeed, the World is yours to conquer. If jobs are not forthcoming, create them, for we have empowered you not only to be employable, but also to be entrepreneurs. Be the light that others will follow. We are proud that we have been a part of your life, that we have given you the knowledge and courage to face life in this ever-changing World. Go out to the World and make it a better place”. He emphasized.