Education
CEES to host Prof. Senteza Kajubi Memorial Lecture
Published
3 years agoon

The College of Education and External Studies (CEES) is set to honour Prof. William Senteza Kajubi with a public lecture as part of the Makerere@100 celebrations.
The public lecture is scheduled for Thursday September 22, 2022 at 2pm in the Yusuf Lule Auditorium (Former CTF2).
The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Michael Pippenger, the Vice President and Associate Provost for Internationalization at the University of Notre Dame, under the theme “Internationalization of Higher Education in the next Century”.
The panel discussants are drawn from various places and come with a wealth of experience. These include; Dr. James Nkata, the Director General of Uganda Management Institute, Associate Professor Umar Kakumba, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs and Dr. Cosmas Mwikirize, the Superintendent-Industrial Value Chains Development at the Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat, Office of the President.
The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Nambi Rebecca, a Lecturer in the Department of Humanities and Language Education at CEES.
About William Senteza Kajubi
Prof. William Senteza Kajubi, a Ugandan, was remarkably an accomplished academician, educationalist, administrator, consultant as well as a community leader.
Upon completing his Bachelor of Arts with Diploma in Education, at Makerere University, in 1950, Kajubi enrolled for a post-graduate course, Master of Science in Geography, at the University of Chicago, and graduated in 1955.
Kajubi was the first African to be awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study in the United States of America in 1952. From the 1950s, Kajubi worked for different institutions in various capacities, including, as a secondary teacher; University Lecturer; Principal of Kyambogo Institute of Higher Education; Director of National Institute of Education at Makerere University; twice, as Makerere University Vice Chancellor; and Vice Chancellor of Nkumba, a private University in Uganda.
In 2010, Mbarara University of Science and Technology awarded Kajubi an Honorary Doctoral degree of Science. In other responsibilities, Kajubi was the first chairman of the Association for Teacher Education in Africa.
In addition, he served as the Vice-President of the International Council of Education for Teachers.
Lastly, he is also remembered for being a consultant for the Namibian National Education System upon Namibia’s independence in 1990.
The Keynote Speaker

Dr. Michael Pippenger was appointed vice president and associate provost for internationalization at Notre Dame in 2016. His major responsibilities include advising University leadership on global strategies and overseeing Notre Dame International, which leads efforts to broaden Notre Dame’s international culture, programs, reach, and reputation through study abroad, expanded international research, international collaborative projects, and strategic relationships with global partners.
Pippenger also leads the academic and operational work of Notre Dame’s Global Gateways and Centers. Additionally, he chairs the University Committee on Internationalization.
Before coming to Notre Dame, Pippenger was dean of undergraduate global programs at
Columbia University and director of scholarship programs in the College of Arts and Sciences
at New York University. A graduate of Carleton College, Pippenger holds an M.A. and a Ph.D.
in English literature from Indiana University.
THE PANELISTS
Associate Professor Umar Kakumba

Associate Professor Kakumba is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of academic affairs at Makerere University. He is also the former Dean of the School of Business and Management Sciences, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS). He has served as a Member of the University’s Senate and initiated programmes such the Pan-African Capacity Building Programme and the Cambridge-Africa Partnership for Research Excellence (CAPREx) project.
Prof. Kakumba holds a PhD in Public Affairs from the University of Pretoria, a Master of Public Administration & Management and a Diploma in Business Administration from Makerere University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences also from Makerere University).
Dr. Cosmas Mwikirize

Dr. Cosmas Mwikirize was appointed the Superintendent-Industrial Value Chains Development at the Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat, Office of the President in 2022. In this role, he is responsible for coordinating the implementation of strategic research, technology development and innovation to facilitate development of Uganda’s priority industrial value chains (Pathogen Economy, Mobility, Industry 4.0+, Aeronautics and Space, Infrastructure Innovations, Productivity Acceleration, Import Substitution and Export Promotion).
He is on secondment from Makerere University where he is a Lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
He obtained a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Rutgers University-USA (2014-2019) with support from the Fulbright Junior Staff Development Programme. He also holds Master’s degrees in Biomedical Engineering and Electrical Engineering from Rutgers and Makerere University & Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Makerere University. He has also previously undertaken industrial residency at Philips Research North America in the Ultrasound Imaging and Interventions group.
His research body of work focuses on biomedical instrumentation, applications of machine learning in medical image computing and computer-assisted interventions, and Internet of Things (IoT) device development. He has over 20 peer reviewed articles, 5 USPTO & WIPO patent publications, and numerous international awards.
Dr. James Nkata

Dr. Nkata is a specialist and Scholar in Higher Education management, Administration and Planning. He is also a specialist in management and administration sciences in public sector. He is the Director General of Uganda Management Institute. Prior to that he was a Senior Lecturer of Management and Administrative Studies in Makerere University and also Director of the East African Institute of Higher Education Studies and Research. He has taught management and administration studies in various Universities for the last 35 years of which 22 years have been in the management and administration of public education at different levels. Dr. Nkata is a holder of PhD in Higher Education Management, Administration and Planning, MSc. and Postgraduate Diploma in Management and Administrative Sciences. He holds several other postgraduate qualifications in administrative law and public sector administration and practice.
He has 20 years exposure and experience in both international and national consultancy work in the fields of his specialty. He has been specifically engaged in policy formulation, planning, designing, running, conduction, and evaluating public policies and management programs at both strategic and operational levels. He has traveled and had an exposure to policies and administration practices in more than 37 countries of the world. He has been involved in national and international financial support negotiations with local and international agencies. He has won a number of research grants through his innovative experiences. He has served as an External Examiner of management and public administration in several Universities. He is credited for successfully supervising 17 PhD candidates in the area of management and public administration. He has extensively published books and Journal Articles in the area of management and administration of organizations. He is also the Chancellor YMCA Comprehensive Institute and Chairman of YMCA National Executive Committee.
He served as the Vice President of International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration (IASIA), in charge of Africa region from 2016 to 2022. He is also serving on several editorial boards of a number of International Journals.
THE MODERATOR:

Dr. Rebecca Nambi received her PhD from the University of Cambridge, UK (2013-2015) with
support from the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. She is currently a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Humanities and Language Education at the Makerere University’s School of Education.
She teaches and supervises Masters and PhD students and tutors on English language, Literature in English and Distance Education Programs. Dr. Nambi is the Coordinator of the PhD program in her faculty and also participates on a number of committees including the Anti-sexual Harassment committee and the Uganda Association of University Women.
Dr. Nambi’s areas of research and publication include the following themes: adolescents’ literacy, educational research, entrepreneurship skills for the youth, digital literacy in higher education and refugee students in higher education among others.
Update: Please click the link below to view the article from the Prof. Senteza Kajubi Fulbright Memorial Lecture
Gone but still lives on: Makerere University celebrates Prof. Kajubi’s legacy
You may like
-
Climate Resilience and Sustainability Collaborative: 30 Masters, 6 PhD Scholarships 2025/2026
-
Makerere University embarks on developing e-Learning Digital Transformation Roadmap
-
TUM SEED Center: PhD Scholarship in Sustainable Energy Entrepreneurship 2025/2026
-
University of Zululand Explores collaboration in decolonization of curriculum and teaching of Kiswahili and isiZulu languages
-
Youth Empowerment Takes Center Stage at Julius Nyerere Youth Festival 2025
-
University of Zululand Delegation Visits Makerere for Benchmarking and Collaboration
Education
Trump vs. Harvard: A Threat to Academic Freedom Driving African Students to China
Published
1 week agoon
May 29, 2025By
Mak Editor
By Eutychus Ngotho Gichuru
The escalating fight between veteran US President Donald Trump and the powerful American institutions like Harvard University is politics, it’s bare-faced incursion into intellectual freedom that can reshape the international world of higher education, particularly for Africans. The latest “scandal,” Trump’s combative condemnation of colleges as liberal ideological hotbeds, amplified by legal intimidation and political retaliation against colleges like Harvard, is damaging America’s international reputation as the academic gold standard. Unless the trend continues, African scholars have long regarded American colleges as embodiments of intellectual liberty will seek further afield, such as China’s Tsinghua University, and redefine the landscape of scholarship.
Trump himself, bloated-check on his 2024 campaign and beyond, denounces elite universities as “woke” indoctrination centers. Demands to defund universities, ideological segregation, and laser-beam focus on diversity programs have chilled the atmosphere. Harvard, already on trial for affirmative action and accused of suppressing conservative thinking, is under greater scrutiny than ever. The Trump-endorsed Supreme Court win in 2023 over the case against racially discriminatory admissions, as a triumph for Trump and his faithful, has been exerting political pressure on institutions to fall in line. Politicization is destroying the very essence of intellectual freedom: freedom to pursue truth through means of open-ended inquiry, unhampered by interference.
For African students, it is shattering the American academic dream. America has been the preferred destination of African Muslims for many years, with 400,000 or more African students enrolled in American universities by 2023. Harvard stands for hope, intellectual activism, and interdependence worldwide. But when academic freedom is attacked, either in Muslim nations by executive fiat or group demonization, students question the system. The image of American universities as payoff politics centers rather than temples of knowledge is a great discourager.
Take the case of China, which has placed its universities at the world map. Tsinghua University, affectionately referred to as “China’s MIT,” features among the top 20 universities in the world with state-of-the-art research in AI, engineering, and global governance. China’s Belt and Road initiative has already prompted scholarship collaborations with Africa, awarding more than 50,000 African students scholarship annually. China provides an open alternative to America, in which political anti-foreigner prejudice and visa controls have tightened but in which Tsinghua’s insistence upon technical discipline and non-Western-inspired political scandal-mongering offers a sanctuary to those denied security and possibility.
Life for African students is a game. If the shine fades from American campuses, Nigerian, Kenyan, or Ghanaian students may be lured by the more appealing prospect of subsidized campuses and meritocratic competition culture of Tsinghua. Chinese universities, though not inexpensive, are another deal: intellectual seriousness untainted by ideational competition distorting American campuses. To Africans bureaucratically and financially strained in America, China’s streamlined visa process and subsidized schooling are appealing. Tsinghua welcomed 20% more African applicants in 2024, and the figures can only go up if America’s learning environment deteriorates.
This has far-reaching implications. Chinese-educated Africans will increasingly adopt the Beijing approach to geopolitics, enhancing China’s soft power in Africa. America will lose the intellectual and cultural capital that it has gained through decades of exportation of Africa’s best and brightest for studies in its institutions. Harvard-educated African leaders have led the innovation and governance driver in the continent; a transition to Tsinghua would funnel those networks into China’s quarter. In order to ensure academic freedom and global competitiveness, America should not politicize its colleges and universities. Institutional autonomy must be upheld by academics and legislative members in a situation where scholarship, rather than ideology, is the basis of higher education. For the students from Africa, the consequence is ominous: college selection not only determines their future but that of the continent. And if the Trump-Harvard soap opera continues chewing away at American scholarship’s trust factor, Tsinghua’s gates will swing wider and wider, and Africa’s best and brightest will walk through them with the U.S. in their rearview mirror.
About the Author

Education
Admission List to Bachelor of Education External (BED) 2025/26 -Private Sponsorship
Published
2 weeks agoon
May 22, 2025By
Mak Editor
The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released the admission list of Diploma holders provisionally admitted to Bachelor of Education (EXTERNAL) programme under Private Sponsorship for the Academic Year 2025/2026 pending verification of their academic documents by the awarding institutions.
The List can be accessed by following the link below:
Education
Makerere University embarks on developing e-Learning Digital Transformation Roadmap
Published
4 weeks agoon
May 8, 2025
Makerere University has been selected to participate in Phase 2 of the e-Learning Initiative aimed at the development of a five-year digital pedagogy transformation roadmap (2025-2030).
This noble task championed by the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) through its expert team at the Institute of Open, Distance and e-Learning (IODeL) will shape the future of e-learning and digital education in Uganda.
In phase 2, the Mastercard Foundation commits to supporting e-Learning and digital transformation based on the needs of each institution. Makerere University’s consideration for Phase 2 follows the successful implementation of phase 1 of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program e-Learning Initiative (2021-2024), which registered remarkable achievements.
‘In a bid to consolidate the gains of phase 1 and transition into a digitally resilient and learner-centred institution, Makerere University has been selected to participate in phase 2 of the e-Learning Initiative. Led by the Mastercard Foundation in partnership with Arizona State University (ASU), phase 2 aims to support partner universities in designing and implementing a five-year digital pedagogy transformation roadmap (2025-2030),” highlighted Prof. Paul Birevu Muyinda, the Director of IODeL.
Speaking at the co-creation workshop held on 24th April 2025 at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Prof. Birevu Muyinda said: “During phase 1, Makerere University registered significant achievements in e-Learning. I am glad that you have convened here today during the e-Learning Digital Transformation workshop, to receive the dissemination results as we work together to prepare for phase 2, which focuses on the unique needs for each institution.”

Through phase 1, which aimed at enhancing the e-learning capabilities of partner institutions, Makerere University strengthened the existing Makerere University e-Learning Environment (MUELE), conducted onboarding workshops for the university leadership, trained teaching staff and students, and engaged teaching staff to develop content for online courses.
According to Prof. Birevu Muyinda, the specific achievements of phase 1 of the e-Learning initiative included the following:
- Training of 1,280 faculty members
- Development of 2,579 courses out of 2,560 representing 100.74%
- Development of four (4) support services modules
- Capacity building for over 7,000 students
- Training and recruitment of 32 e-Learning champions
- Upgrading of the Makerere University e-Learning Environment (MUELE)
- Acquisition of e-Learning infrastructure namely five (5) multi-media studios, a video streaming server and all in one printers.
The co-creation workshop for phase 2 and dissemination of results for the concluded phase 1, brought on board over 75 participants comprising members of Makerere University Management, the Principal and staff of the College of Education and External Studies, a representative from the Ministry of Education and Sports, student leaders, the media, the Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS), Mastercard Foundation, Arizona State University(ASU)-USA, and a representative sample of staff from academic and administrative units of Makerere University.

Facilitated by Arizona State University (ASU) working closely with IODeL, the interactive co-creation sessions involved taking into account the milestones from phase 1 and leveraging the successes, as well as coming up with proposed strategies for phase 2.
The co-creation workshop involved understanding the concept transformation road mapping, using a grid to identify the current state of e-Learning and digital transformation at Makerere University and the desired state, assessment alignment on shared vision for the current and the desired state, and identifying learner needs in line with the desired state, among other items.
The workshop adopted a holistic approach to digital transformation focusing on the following themes: teaching and learning, student services, instructional infrastructure, leadership and culture, and partnerships. For each cluster, the participants proposed immediate, short-term and long-term strategies with respect to digital transformation in those processes. With each group presenting during the plenary sessions, the co-creation workshop was a success. The ideas were captured instantly feeding into the proposal for the phase 2 e-learning digital transformation roadmap (2025-2030).

At this highly participatory workshop, reaching consensus was a key factor in determining the ideas that were included in the proposal.
In addition to the aforementioned clusters, some of the broader aspects that the co-creation teams highlighted should be prioritized included:
- Adoption of e-supervision of students
- Increasing enrollment of international students through e-Learning
- Reducing the digital divide among learners
- Ensuring digital inclusion with programs sensitive to learners with disabilities
- Capacity building programmes for administrative support

Opening the co-creation workshop, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) of Makerere University, conveyed the congratulatory messages from the University Council and Management on the successful completion of phase 1 and its remarkable achievements.
On behalf of the University Management, Prof. Buyinza said, phase 2 of the e-Learning Initiative should be a revolutionary phase, igniting Makerere University to be a key player in digital education and integration of technologies.
Reflecting on youth empowerment, Prof. Buyinza highlighted that phase 2 is student-centred with e-Learning and digital pedagogies addressing the needs of learners. In addition, Prof. Buyinza underscored that this approach will increase the number of students accessing quality education programmes at Makerere University at the national and international levels.

The Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) commended the Mastercard Foundation for partnering with Makerere University to empower the young people through education and technological advancements. Prof. Buyinza acknowledged the collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation and Arizona State University (ASU) for building the capacity of faculty at Makerere University.
Emphasizing the importance of building capacity, retooling and reshaping the curriculum to produce graduates who meet the demands of the modern workforce, Prof. Buyinza re-affirmed that Makerere University is a learning institution committed to embracing new approaches. He recognized the Institute of Open, Distance and e-Learning (IODeL) for holding onboarding workshops for the University leadership, staff and students in phase 1.
Prof. Buyinza testified that the onboarding sessions changed his perception, and transformed him into a firm believer in positioning e-Learning to champion the digital transformation agenda at Makerere University. He disclosed that he is a “convert” to the transformative potential of technology integration, learner-centeredness, industry partnerships, and lifelong learning, key features of University 5.0.

He urged participants to utilize the co-creation e-Learning digital transformation workshop to define institutional needs and expectations, allowing for a more rapid and collaborative advancement into the “revolutionary” phase 2.
Building on the Prof. Buyinza’s submission, the Principal of the College of Education and External Studies, Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga informed the participants that phase 2, which focuses on e-Learning and digital transformation should empower the faculty and university at large to provide inclusive education. He implored the co-creation team and stakeholders to come up with digital strategies for students who are visually impaired and those with hearing impairments.
Prof. Mugagga emphasized the importance of continuous learning and self-examination, stating that even a professor should strive to be open to new knowledge. With reference to Socrates’ philosophy, he suggested that a life devoid of learning is not worth living.

In a moving testimony, the Principal explained that he is always learning new ideas from his techy savvy son. Prof. Mugagga shared that his son continues to be instrumental in teaching him online safety principles and techniques. This experience underscored the generational gap in digital literacy and the importance of adapting to the evolving digital landscape.
The Principal expressed his hope to learn from the workshop, acknowledging that digital transformation requires everyone to be proactive in acquiring new skills.
On behalf of the students, Hon. Julius Kiganda, the Minister of Academic Affairs at Makerere University commended the organisers for including students in the e-Learning digital transformation workshop. Hon. Kiganda pledged active participation in the training to ensure that the interests of the students are effectively captured.

Evaluating phase 1, Ann Nielsen from Mastercard Foundation recognized that the institutions had built a solid foundation, prompting a transition into phase 2 to address the unique needs of each university.
“Phase 2 will prioritize scaling training and knowledge mobilization, offering opportunities for scholars to pursue learning design and technologies, graduate certificates, master’s degrees, and professional certificates tailored for individuals seeking instructional design knowledge.
“Mastercard Foundation will emphasize inclusive learning practices, collaborating with experts to ensure accessibility and equity. The Foundation aims to enhance digital infrastructure, focusing on student support systems, quality management, and data-driven decision-making in order to meet diverse learner needs,” Nielsen explained.

The Foundation revealed that the ultimate goal is to collectively impact policies across the continent, advocating for e-learning as a valid and accredited pathway to quality education. Recognizing the network’s growing maturity, the initiative aims to position participating universities as leaders and resources, fostering collaborative learning and co-creation.
The Foundation’s participation stems from a belief in the future of young Africans, seeking to equip them with education and skills to fulfill their careers by strengthening institutions and scaling innovative solutions through technology. The focus shifts from a reactive response to a sustainable and long-term initiative.
Regan Matsiko, the IT Officer at the Ministry of Education and Sports, highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to digital advancement, drawing on prior experience with the national digital transformation roadmap initiated by the Ministry of ICT. “This roadmap, built on five key pillars including digital scaling and infrastructure development, serves as a foundation for current initiatives within the education sector.”

Matsiko emphasized the Ministry of Education and Sports’ development of a digital agenda last year as demonstration of a proactive approach to integrating technology.
He commended the partnership with universities in developing e-learning programs. Matsiko noted a shift towards a more integrated structure within the Ministry, where the ICT department now includes a dedicated e-learning department working directly with university partners, demonstrating a unified push for digital transformation in education.
The voices from key stakeholders set the stage for an interactive and high participatory training session. Lara Rabala the facilitator of the training outlined the primary objectives. These included: To collaboratively envision e-learning-driven classrooms, not only for the host institution but also for external partners, aligning proposed initiatives with McKinney’s strategies and broader community programs.
She noted that a key focus will be on formulating recommendations that correspond with critical areas to drive the development of a roadmap and implementation plan.

Labala stressed that the aim is to establish a clear vision for the future, crafting a transformative roadmap and a practical implementation plan. This roadmap will serve as the foundation for a tangible proposal to attract funding and partnerships, articulating the vision and direction for key learning and behavioral transformation.
Trainees were encouraged to respect the past as the foundation for the present and future, while also imagining innovative possibilities. Trainees, regardless of their expertise, were urged to maintain curiosity, open-mindedness, and value every voice.
The co-creation sessions featured the following clusters:
- Teaching and learning: Digital strategy, pedagogical services, faculty development and staff support
- Student services: Engagement-enrollment, Administrative support and Academic Support
- Instructional Infrastructure: Connectivity, Educational technology, and Instructional design learning analysis
- Leadership and Culture: Internal stakeholders, Leadership structure, Governance models, Innovative Culture
- Partnerships: Development, Evaluation and External Stakeholders
Closing the co-creation workshop, Prof. Birevu Muyinda said: “The exercise has presented us with an understanding of the major activities to be undertaken and the key priorities.”
With the support of the Mastercard Foundation and other partners, Makerere University is focused to develop a comprehensive e-learning roadmap, driving innovation and excellence in education.
Trending
-
Agriculture & Environment5 days ago
MUARIK Main Gate Gets a Facelift
-
Business & Management2 weeks ago
CoBAMS Annual Report 2024
-
General1 week ago
Vice Chancellor Updates Media on Medical Drones, Road Safety Research & Various Issues
-
Agriculture & Environment1 week ago
CAES Annual Report 2024
-
In Press2 weeks ago
The crisis of impressions in Uganda