General
MUDF Continuation Emphasizes role of Deans in realization of Academic Policies
The Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)-DVCAA organized a continuation of the third Makerere University Deans’ Forum (MUDF) on 21st October 2022 to further acquaint Deans with the policy environment in which they operate. At the previous workshop held on 29th September 2022, Deans received presentations from the Vice Chancellor – Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, DVCAA and Patron MUDF – Prof. Umar Kakumba, Chairperson MUDF Executive Committee and Dean, School of Public Health – Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, Quality Assurance Director (QAD) – Dr. Cyprian Misinde as well as policy highlights from the Deputy Registrar (Senate) – Mrs. Patience Mushengyezi and Deputy Director Research and Graduate Training – Prof. Robert Wamala. Also shared at the previous workshop were past experiences of Deans, Prof. Ronald Bisaso and Prof. John Mango.
Welcoming Deans to the workshop, Prof. Wanyenze said MUDF, the brainchild of Prof. Umar Kakumba, was founded on 14th June 2019 out of the need to create a space for Deans to get together outside Senate, get to know each other better and share common interests. “We have had the opportunity to share what’s challenging us and we have passed these on to our patron the DVCAA.”
She added that orientation of Deans and leaders in the university is an important activity and the workshop was an opportunity to specifically acquaint themselves with the foundations of academic policy. She equally advised Deans to take keen interest in the activities of the MUDF particularly its governance, with elective positions that run for two-year terms, renewable once.
The role of Dean is clearly spelled out under section 53 of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act (UOTIA), 2001 (as amended). Subsection (4) of the same states that:
“The Dean or Director shall be responsible for the general supervision and administration for the affairs of the faculty, institute, college or other academic body and as such shall be responsible for the promotion and maintenance of efficient teaching and research in the relevant body.”
section 53, subsection (4), UOTIA 2001 (as amended)
Making a presentation on Academic Policies and Roles of Senate to the Deans, Mrs. Mushengyezi noted that the Senate whose membership consists of Deans has executive, advisory and delegated roles. These are further broken down as; Executive – organisation, control and direction of executive matters, Advisory – initiate academic policy and advise Council on implementation requirements, and Delegated – may delegate any of its powers or functions to a School/College board of studies.
The membership to Senate as outlined in the UOTIA section 44 2(c) equips Deans to be, “an implementer of the academic policies at the School, a custodian of the polices, an enforcer of regulations and an instructor of students on Policies” explained Mrs. Mushengyezi.
She added that the School Board of Studies; regulates teaching, monitors attendance of students and lecturers, admission of both undergraduate and graduate students as well as progression of students, and approves examination results. “The question you ought to ask as you admit students is, do you have capacity, infrastructure, and human resource required to teach that programme?”
Mrs. Mushengyezi additionally appraised Deans on the functions of the Academic Programmes and Library Committee which is responsible for approval of developed and revised curricula from departments. She further expounded on the Research and Graduate Training (Higher Degrees) Committee that oversees the appointment of supervisors, internal and external examiners and doctoral committees as well as organises viva voce meetings and public defences of theses.
“The academic leadership role of the Dean is enshrined in the mandate, functions and roles of Senate, hence the Dean is the arm of Senate at the School. Let us all strive to do our best” she concluded.
The roles of Senate and by extension the Deans notwithstanding, whereas the day-to-day affairs of graduate students are handled at each academic Unit, the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT) is expected to coordinate the quality assurance and policy oversight roles. Prof. Wamala therefore shared that the Makerere University Graduate Handbook is a living document informed by several University policies including the; Research and innovations policy, Intellectual Property Management (IPM) Policy, and Conflict of Interest Policy among others. “It is very important for us to have that background information as we guide various committees.”
Prof. Wamala equally advised Deans to familiarize themselves with the various Masters’ programme plans and the typical progression of PhD programmes from Year Zero (0) to Year Four (4). Makerere University offers four Masters Plans; Plan A – coursework and dissertation, Plan B – Extended Coursework and Project Report, Plan C – Coursework and Comprehensive Examination, and Plan D – Thesis only.
Similarly, the PhD progression consists of; Year Zero (0) – Admission and appointment of supervisors, Year One (1) – Coursework, examination and start of thesis work, Year Two (2) – Continuation of coursework, approval of research topic, and thesis work. Year Three (3) is characterized by thesis work, while Year Four (4) entails conclusion of thesis work, formal approval for thesis defence and actual public defence. All this takes place in the midst of continuous extracurricular writing labs, seminars and conference presentations as well as evaluation.
Prof. Wamala particularly emphasized the need for Deans to appreciate the scope of the IPM Policy and its provisions for Intellectual Property (IP) created by staff and students. Under scope, he shared that the policy applies to all staff members, students and visitors who participate in a research project or produce inventive, creative, scholarly or artistic works.
Further explaining the spirit of the policy, Prof. Wamala shared that the University is the primary owner of all IP created by staff during the course of their employment or contract by the university. However, he noted that exceptions of ownership will be made in cases where IP is created outside the scope of a member of staff’s employment and without substantial use of university resources.
Delivering the day’s concluding remarks, Prof. Umar Kakumba noted that Deans as leaders need to always seek ways of adding value to the institution, especially since it is a living entity that is constantly growing. “At the end of the day we have a contribution to make to our institution either individually or collectively as well as a duty to leave a good legacy.”
He acknowledged that the COVID-19 lockdown had affected the sitting of Advanced Level examinations in 2020 and 2021 and by extension, the admissions process, which the Deans are responsible for at School level. He nevertheless reassured the Deans that the full reopening of the economy had brought forth stability that would henceforth normalise the number of students admitted to the various degree programmes and ease their work.
On initiatives to improve Makerere’s contribution to knowledge generation, the DVCAA and Patron MUDF noted that the university had allocated a portion of Government support through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) to PhD students to enable them complete their research. “What we are targeting for this year is completion; for PhD students to collect data, analyse it and write their reports.”
Prof. Kakumba thanked the Deans for sparing time to attend the workshop and expressed his readiness to continue championing their various causes in the relevant fora.
General
Strengthening South-South Academic Partnerships: Makerere University and Binary University Chart a Strategic Path for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Women’s Leadership
A New Chapter in Uganda–Malaysia Higher Education Collaboration
Makerere University has started preliminary discussions with Binary University of Management and Entrepreneurship (Malaysia) to deepen its global partnerships through high-level engagements, aimed at fostering innovation-driven education, entrepreneurship, and women’s leadership. Chaired by the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Sarah Ssali, the meeting explored a structured framework for collaboration that responds to Uganda’s urgent need for skills development, job creation, and industry-aligned learning.
This emerging partnership reflects a shared vision: to move beyond traditional academic models towards a practical, industry-integrated, and entrepreneurship-focused education system that equips graduates with real-world skills and global competitiveness.
Responding to Uganda’s Employment Challenge Through Entrepreneurship
“While chairing the meeting, Prof. Sarah Ssali noted that Makerere University and other Universities, together, currently graduate over 35,000 students annually, yet the private sector creates only about 700 new jobs per year. With an expanding population and intense job competition, where a single vacancy can attract over 4,000 applicants, the urgency for alternative employment pathways is clear.
Makerere’s Innovation Hub and Centre for Entrepreneurship have become critical pillars in addressing this challenge. Through platforms such as the Innovation Expo, now in its third edition and featuring over 600 student exhibitions, the university continues to nurture problem-solvers, innovators, and job creators. This ecosystem aligns strongly with Binary University’s entrepreneurial philosophy, making the Centre for Entrepreneurship a natural anchor point for collaboration.
Binary University’s Industry Specialist Professional (ISP) Model
Binary University brings a unique global model that directly integrates industry practitioners into the classroom. Its Industry Specialist Professional (ISP) programme, operational since 1999, ensures students graduate with skills tailored to specific industry needs. Industry experts with decades of practical experience teach across disciplines such as: Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics, Oil and Gas, Renewable Energy, Engineering, Film and Media Production to mention but a few.
“ With over 10,500 practising entrepreneurs in its ecosystem in Malaysia, Binary offers students direct mentorship and exposure to active business environments, ensuring graduates are not only employable but also entrepreneurial.” Tan Sri Dato Professor Joseph Adaikalam, the Executive Chairman and Founder, Binary University of Management and Entrepreneurship, noted.
Key Areas of Proposed Collaboration
The discussions outlined a structured and scalable partnership model anchored on the following areas:
1. Dual and Joint Degree Programmes
- 2+2 Joint Bachelor’s Degrees in specialised fields through an International Department structure.
- 1+1 Joint Master’s Programmes including: MBA for Engineers, Renewable Energy MBA and Semiconductor MBA
- Dual award systems to ensure international recognition and student mobility.
2. PhD and Staff Development Programmes
- Winter/Summer PhD models in Renewable Energy and Waste Management
- Nominated students to benefit from 50% tuition waivers
- PhD pathways tailored for academic staff development
3. Executive Development Programmes (EDPs)
High-impact, short-term programmes targeting senior leaders, featuring joint certification with a focus on AI for CEOs, Global Issues & Entrepreneurship. These EDPs are designed to empower leaders with strategic insight into global trends, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Placing Women’s Leadership at the Centre
A key pillar of the proposed collaboration is engagement with Malaysia’s Centre for Women’s Leadership (CWL), which focuses on empowering women through entrepreneurship and gender compliance mechanisms.
Puan Sri Datin, Prof. Dr. Rohini Devi, the co-founder and Vice Chairman, Binary University, highlighted the unique opportunities this partnership presents for a Joint women’s leadership training initiative, feminist academic exchanges, gender-responsive entrepreneurship models and an initiative to strengthen Makerere’s Institute of Gender Studies as a regional hub.
This aligns with Malaysia’s progressive gender compliance policies for public funding and women’s leadership development, a model that holds strong relevance for African institutions.
Learning from Regional and Global Best Practices
The meeting underscored valuable lessons from global contexts, including Nigeria’s model, where every graduate leaves with a practical vocational skill, Zambia’s Winter-Summer academic model with tuition waivers, Malaysia’s government investment in higher education and entrepreneurship
These case studies reinforce the need for practical skills as survival tools while graduates transition into formal employment or entrepreneurship.
A Win-Win Partnership for the Future
This collaboration is envisioned as a mutually beneficial model that complements Makerere’s academic strengths while leveraging Binary’s industry-driven approach. It will enhance student mobility, staff exchange, joint research, innovation transfer, and entrepreneurship development, all while maintaining strong quality assurance mechanisms.
As Makerere University continues to reimagine higher education in a rapidly changing world, this partnership signals a transformative shift towards globally competitive, innovation-led, and socially responsive learning systems.
With optimism and strategic intent, both institutions commit to open dialogue, structured implementation, and long-term impact. The Makerere-Binary partnership stands as a powerful example of how South-South collaboration can redefine education, accelerate entrepreneurship, and empower future leaders, especially women, for Africa’s development trajectory.
Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University.
General
Strengthening the Makerere–Nottingham Trent University Partnership: Building More Legs on a Stable Chair
On 21st November, 2025, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, hosted a delegation from the Nottingham Trent University (NTU). The meeting underscored the need to re-model what purposeful, equitable and future-oriented international collaboration can look like between Universities. What began as a 15 year focused engagement in Public Health is set to evolve into a mature, multi-dimensional partnership guided by a shared commitment to knowledge exchange, cultural sensitivity, innovation and community transformation. With the current Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) running until 2028, now in its third iteration, both institutions are deliberately reimagining the next phase of collaboration, extending its impact over the next 15 years and beyond.
Moving Beyond Public Health: A Broader Vision for Collaboration
While past collaborations have significantly advanced areas such as community health, microbial research, leadership among health managers and non-communicable diseases, the future partnership envisions a more diversified and resilient framework.
Prof. Neil Mansfield, the Executive Dean, Research and International Reputation, NTU, noted that this growth strategy is anchored in building additional “legs” onto the partnership chair; creating stability through cross-disciplinary engagement involving the School of Science and Technology, Department of Engineering, Business School, the Makerere University Gender Institute, and the creative arts at both Universities.
The expanded scope reflects a shared belief that sustainable development and innovation demand integrated approaches that bring together engineers, social scientists, anthropologists, business leaders, climate scientists and creatives among others disciplines.
Equitable Partnership as a Guiding Principle
Both institutions reaffirmed the importance of equitable partnerships that prioritise shared ownership, mutual benefit and contextual relevance.
Prof. Linda Gisbon, Director, Global Public Health, NTU highlighted the importance of the shared ownership model for joint projects. She further noted that this approach has already gained scholarly recognition through published work advocating for afro-centric collaboration models, positioning the partnership as a benchmark for ethical international engagement.
The NTU–Makerere shared ownership model ensures that all projects are jointly created, jointly led and jointly benefitted from. Both institutions participate equally in decision-making, resource management, knowledge generation and dissemination, ensuring the partnership strengthens capacity on both sides rather than reproducing unequal power dynamics.(Gibson et al., 2023)
Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurial Readiness
Dr. Hellen Karditsas, a senior lecturer at NTU, extensively shared about a possible flagship proposal which could be integrated within the expanded collaboration.
“NTU’s Engineering Challenge is an intensive three-week program engaging first- and second-year students in real-world product development. Students, supported by academic staff, conceptualise solutions, develop business models and transform ideas into market-ready products.” She noted.
Dr. Hellen, concluded by sharing that the Challenge engages students and staff from disciplines such as Mechanical, Electrical, Sport, Biomedical and Aerospace Engineering, this initiative exposes participants to the full innovation ecosystem, nurturing a generation of engineering entrepreneurs equipped for both industry and enterprise.
Prof. Sarah Ssali complimented the conversation when she noted, the growing interest in anthropological engineering and vernacular architecture – an interdisciplinary lens that examines how cultural practices and people’s way of life shapes their construction techniques and designs.
She further noted that, by recognising that “development is anti-people” when detached from lived realities, this partnership should seek to integrate cultural sensitivity into infrastructure design, ensuring that modernisation aligns with community needs and values.
Expanding into Arts, Design and Creative Industries
Another strategic leg of the partnership is strengthening ties between NTU and Makerere’s School of Performing Arts and Film. Plans include equipment-sharing initiatives, joint creative labs and collaborative production spaces aimed at enhancing capacity, storytelling and community engagement through visual and performing arts. These collaborations will also support public health communication through creative multimedia approaches and capacity building.
During the meeting, Makerere University Press partnerships and writing summer schools were also proposed to nurture scholarly publishing, academic writing and creative expression, further strengthening intellectual exchange between the two institutions.
Future projects will continue to integrate sociologists, anthropologists and social scientists to shape interventions that are not only technically sound but socially responsive and culturally aware.
Industry Linkages and Global Networks
Recognising the importance of industry engagement, the partnership seeks to connect with British-owned companies operating in Uganda as well as Ugandan enterprises with footprints in the UK. These linkages will enable practical learning opportunities, internships, applied research and joint innovation ventures.
Exchange visits for business students will also be prioritised to foster global exposure, entrepreneurial thinking and cross-cultural competence, equipping students to operate in increasingly interconnected economies.
A Partnership for the Future
The future Makerere–NTU collaboration will be defined by diversity, scalability and shared vision. By pulling together multiple schools and centres from Business and Natural Sciences to Engineering, Gender Studies and the Creative Arts the partnership is positioned to evolve into a holistic, long-term platform for knowledge production, innovation and people-centred development.
As both institutions reaffirm their commitment to constructive dialogue, joint planning and continuous evaluation, this partnership stands as a testament to how international cooperation can move beyond transactional engagement into transformative, sustainable impact.
In building more legs onto the partnership chair, Makerere University and Nottingham Trent University are not only strengthening institutional ties – they are shaping a resilient model for global academic collaboration that is equitable, agile and firmly rooted in shared purpose.
Reference;
Gibson, L., Ikhile, D., Nyashanu, M. & Musoke, D., 2023. Health promotion research in international settings: A shared ownership approach for North-South partnerships. In: L. Potvin & D. Jourdan, eds. Global Handbook of Health Promotion Research. Vol. 3: Doing Health Promotion Research. Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp.263-272.
Caroline Kainomugisha is the Communications Officer, Advancement Office, Makerere University.
General
Makerere University Hosts Delegation from Nottingham Trent University to Deepen Collaborative Ties
Makerere University has hosted a delegation from Nottingham Trent University (NTU) for high-level discussions focused on strengthening and expanding the long-standing collaboration between the two institutions. The team that was received by Prof. Sarah Ssali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs was led by Prof. Neil Mansfield, the Executive Dean for Research and International Reputation, accompanied by Dr. Helen Karditsas, a senior lecturer in the Department of Engineering; Prof. Linda Gibson from Global Public Health at NTU; Ms. Mazeda Hossain, Director of the Eastern Africa Centre; and Dr. Damilola Omodara, Senior Lecturer in Public Health.
For over fifteen years, NTU has maintained a strong partnership with the Makerere University School of Public Health, working in areas such as community health, leadership development among health managers, and research on non-communicable diseases. This collaboration has supported student mobility, staff exchanges, and joint research initiatives that have contributed significantly to capacity building on both sides.
During the meeting, the NTU team expressed readiness to broaden this relationship beyond public health, noting that the existing achievements offer a strong foundation for expansion. Their vision is to build an interdisciplinary collaboration that brings together multiple colleges and fields of expertise, including engineering, environmental sciences, business, arts, and digital media. The team emphasized that diverse academic partnerships offer more stability and create wider opportunities for innovation, student training, and impactful research.
NTU is now seeking to establish a broader, university-wide Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will enable the two institutions to explore a wider range of synergies across disciplines. This approach is expected to make future collaborations more flexible, allowing different units to initiate joint projects, exchange programs, and research activities under one institutional framework.
Prof. Ssali welcomed the delegation and affirmed Makerere University’s commitment to deepening partnerships that strengthen teaching, research, and community engagement. She noted that an interdisciplinary model is essential for addressing emerging global challenges, and highlighted opportunities in areas such as climate science, engineering innovation, creative arts, and publishing.
The visit forms part of ongoing efforts to position Makerere University as a hub for impactful global collaborations that advance academic excellence and societal transformation.
-
Research1 week agoMakerere University and Ministry of Public Service Study Reveals Impact of Salary Enhancement on Teacher Performance in Uganda
-
General2 weeks agoCall For Applications: Mak-BSSR Postdoc, PhD, Master’s Fellowship-level Training
-
General6 days agoMakerere University officially commences implementation of its Mentorship Policy
-
Education1 week agoReal life project: Makerere University Vice Chancellor hands over constructed Wall Fence to Makerere College School
-
Agriculture & Environment2 weeks agoSFTNB-MIIC Partnership Nurtures Entrepreneurial Learners & Change Agents