Makerere University has joined other higher institutions of learning to showcase their programmes in an exhibition organized by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE). The 2022 edition will run for three days starting today Thursday 22^nd to Saturday 24^th September, 2022 at the Uganda Manufacturers Association, Lugogo Showground in Kampala.

A total of 39 Universities are exhibiting at this year’s event, which attracted 63 participants including other degree awarding institutions, tertiary institutions and companies. The theme for the 2022 Exhibition is Enhancement of teaching, Learning and Assessment with Online and Distance e-learning, (ODel) in Higher Education.

In line with its mandate, NCHE premiers the Annual Exhibition in the Higher Education calendar as a one-stop avenue for engagement with stakeholders and showcasing of institutional innovations.

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa who officially opened the Exhibition commended NCHE for fostering research in Higher Education Institutions. He cited the example of Makerere as a University that is making strides in enhancing its objective of becoming research intensive and urged all other institutions to borrow a leaf, in order to save the Government of Uganda from spending billions of funds on external research.

Rt. Hon. Tayebwa nevertheless acknowledged the need to boost the Higher Institution National Research Fund in order to realize the intended goals of the initiative. In this regard, he committed to appeal to Uganda’s Cabinet to prioritize the matter. He made this commitment in response to Prof. Mary Okwakol the NCHE Executive Director who cited gaps in research funding as one of the reasons that had slowed down the initiative.

At the NCHE exhibition, Makerere University is participating through the Department of the Academic Registrar and Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF).  The teams from the Makerere@100 Secretariat and Makerere University Public Relations Office have used the golden opportunity to publicise the ongoing celebrations to mark 100 years of Makerere University’s excellent service to humanity. Established in 1922 as a humble technical school, the University has grown over the years to become one of the leading universities in the world. Makerere commenced the year-long centenary celebrations with a line-up of various activities in October 2021. The Makerere@100 Grand Finale is scheduled to take place on 6^th October 2022 at the University’s Freedom Square.

Ms. Joyce Muhanguzi from the Department of the Academic Registrar at Makerere University shared that the exhibition offers a great platform to disseminate relevant academic information to students, especially those who would like to pursue their studies at Makerere University.

“Every program you want to enroll for at Makerere University has specific requirements. We advised a number of prospective students who visited the Makerere University exhibition stall to concentrate on their studies so that they excel in the respective subjects that they are doing.  We have also advised students to focus on subjects that align with their dream programmes at the University,” said Ms. Muhanguzi, adding that prospective students must have obtained at least two principle passes within the same sitting in order to meet NCHE’s minimum requirements.

She reassured students that they have the potential to realize their higher education dreams if they work hard, and advised them to choose Makerere University for quality education that meets demands of the 21^st century.

The 13^th Blended Higher Education Institutions Exhibition is expected to benefit Secondary School candidate classes, Graduate students, Research and Innovation Institutions, Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, National and Regional Agencies associated with Higher Education, Organizations, Companies and the Public.