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Makerere University Researchers at the Forefront of Tackling Climate Change

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3 months ago

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A montage of case studies produced by the Low Carbon Energy and Environment Research Network Wales (LCEERNW) based at Bangor University. Photo: LCEERNW
A montage of case studies produced by the Low Carbon Energy and Environment Research Network Wales (LCEERNW) based at Bangor University. Photo: LCEERNW

A new case study series highlights Makerere University projects tackling climate related issues through collaborative research in Africa

On November the 6th, world leaders will meet in Egypt for the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference – COP27. In celebration of COP being held in Africa, the Low Carbon Energy an Environment Research Network Wales have compiled a set of case studies highlighting Africa – Wales climate focused research collaborations which include two case studies involving Makerere University.

Africa is a key player in the battle against climate change. The continent is home to 18% of the world’s tropical forests giving it a vital role in mitigating climate change. With rapidly growing populations seeking economic growth, African countries are also forced to think outside the box for ways to achieve development in climate friendly way leading to new innovations.

As well as mitigation, Africa is also an important place for climate adaption research. Despite having played only a small role in the causes of climate change, the United Nations Environment Programme points out that Africa is currently the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change as many on the continent lack the resources to buffer themselves from the effects of climate change.

Researchers from Makerere University were involved in two of the projects highlighted. The first was a collaboration between Makerere University and Bangor University, Wales, that has taken the leftover materials from Maize production, known as stover, and converted it into products that replace single use plastics, such as fruit packaging.

Plastic, particularly single use plastic, can damage the environment in several ways, from the harmful plastic pollution to its contribution to climate change through the petrochemicals used in its production. The products that the project has developed offer huge environmental benefits whilst also creating additional employment in rural areas. The team are currently trialling tree seedling wraps in collaboration with the Mount Elgon Tree Growing Enterprise and the National Agricultural Research Organisation.

“The biodegradable seedling wraps will revolutionise the way we plant our trees by providing environmentally sound seedling potting material that is sustainable, reducing plastic load and reducing damage to the ecosystem,” says Ephraim Nuwamanya of the National Agricultural Research Organisation, Uganda.

The second project highlights the work of former Makerere University student Jalia Packwood who now works at Bangor University. In her role as the International Sustainability Collaborations Project Officer, Packwood developed collaborative projects to share knowledge between Bangor University, Makerere University, and private and public sector organisations in Uganda. The project established links between the two universities and was so wide-reaching that is drew the attention of the Ugandan High Commissioner.

“It’s about making links,” says Packwood. “The research is out there but I was able to act as an intermediary between the university and people on the ground 4,000 miles away.”

For both these projects, as with all of the case studies highlighted by the network, a collaborative approach to solving the global problems brought about by climate change was key.

“The partnership with the University of Bangor brought research into action,” said Florence Nakayiwa, former Director of the Planning and Development Department at Makerere University. “It has infused appreciation of collaboration as a way of life for staff and students at Makerere University – the ethos and values imparted at the time have continued to influence the sustainability program at Makerere University.”

Welsh universities are well known for their collaborative research with more than 50% of Wales’s research output having been produced by international collaborations. The case studies chosen highlight the importance of links between Africa and Wales in tackling climate related issues. For the full details and more great examples of climate focussed research from across Africa and Wales please head over to www.lceernw.ac.uk/wales-in-africa

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Mak Participates in New Vision Education Expo 2023

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4 days ago

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January 28, 2023

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Ms Joyce Muhanguzi, Senior Assistant Registrar in the Department of the Academic Registrar (L) interacts with visitors during the New Vision Education Expo 2023.

Makerere University is participating in the New Vision Education Expo 2023 to strengthen its niche as the leading provider of education services.

The three-day New Vision Expo (Friday 27th January 2023 to Sunday 29th January 2023) at the Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT) Nakawa brings on board players in the education and business fields to forge partnerships to improve the quality and outcomes of education in Uganda.

Makerere University seeks to maximally utilize the three days to ensure that the participants at the Education Expo gain a deeper understanding of its 100 year journey of providing excellent services to humanity through academic programmes, services offered and ongoing efforts aimed at producing employable graduates as well as entrepreneurs.

Ms Joyce Muhanguzi, has a one-on-one session with visitors to the Makerere University exhibition space.
Ms Joyce Muhanguzi, has a one-on-one session with visitors to the Makerere University exhibition space.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe highlights that Makerere University values stakeholder engagements and partnerships.  “The New Vision Expo 2023 presents Makerere University with an opportunity to enhance stakeholder engagements. It is about consolidating the relationships with schools, prospective students and parents, and partners in the education sector. I applaud the CEO of Vision Group-Mr. Don Wanyama for coming up with the Education Expo.”

To respond to the information needs of stakeholders, Makerere University has lined up a team of experienced staff from the Department of the Academic Registrar, the Admissions Office, Public Relations Office, Career Guidance experts as well as the Institute of Open Distance and e-Learning (IODeL) under the College of Education and External Studies (CEES).

According to the Principal PRO of Makerere University Ms. Ritah Namisango, the Education Expo provides a platform to reach out to the clients that Makerere University exists to serve. “You must be in touch with your prospective parents, students as well as schools and partners that continue to recommend you as the leading university in the region. Makerere University has celebrated 100 years of excellent service to humanity (1922-2022). So, as we continue to promote the academic programmes, innovations and services that we offer, we are ready to listen, interact and learn from respective stakeholders about what they expect from the University as we embark on the next 100 years.”

Ms. Ritah Namisango (L) and Ms. Joyce Muhanguzi interact with members of the public.
Ms. Ritah Namisango (L) and Ms. Joyce Muhanguzi interact with members of the public.

The New Vision Expo 2023 is happening at an opportune (holiday) time, which accords the students, parents and guardians quality time to visit the exhibition and interact with experts in the education sector.

In addition, Makerere University has recently advertised its academic programmes and it is preparing to receive students for the Academic year 2023/2024. Sharing her experience about the interaction with participants who visited the Makerere University exhibition space, Ms Joyce Muhanguzi, Senior Assistant Registrar in the Department of the Academic Registrar noted that most of the prospective students and parents wanted to know about the academic programmes, the subject combinations that students should study to qualify to apply for the respective academic programmes, and the available admission avenues i.e. government sponsorship, private sponsorship, diploma entry, direct entry, national merit, talented sports entry and district quota programme).

Mr. Dennis Kibuuka (L) has a one-on-one session with a visitor to the Makerere University exhibition space.
Mr. Dennis Kibuuka (L) has a one-on-one session with a visitor to the Makerere University exhibition space.

Ms Joyce Muhanguzi and Mr. Dennis Kibuuka’s interaction focused on students who expressed their desire to join Makerere University in the coming years, and needed a case by case approach to their information needs, career guidance and linkages to Professors and Administrative staff in the respective Colleges at Makerere University.

The prospective students and parents also disclosed that in addition to the information on the Makerere University website, they welcome interactive and friendly approaches such as the New Vision Education Expo where they are presented with a golden opportunity to interact with Makerere University officials face-to-face.

At the New Vision Education Expo 2023, Makerere University joins other exhibitors that include; Government agencies, NGOs, Telecom companies, Banks, Insurance companies, Kindergartens/Daycare Centres, Primary and Secondary schools, Ugandan and Kenyan Universities, International schools, Study Abroad Agencies, Vocational institutions, Scholastic materials suppliers and SME service providers.

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73rd Graduation Highlights

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2 weeks ago

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January 19, 2023

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The Chancellor, Prof. Ezra Suruma (R) confers the Doctor of Philosophy upon Dr. John Kalule from CEES (L) during the Second Session of the 72nd Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University held on 24th May 2022 in the Freedom Square.

The 73rd Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University will be held from Monday 13th to Friday 17th February 2023 following the schedule below:

Monday, 13th February, 2023
College of Health Sciences (CHS)
College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS)
School of Law (SoL)

Tuesday, 14th February, 2023
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)
College of Education and External Studies (CEES)

Wednesday, 15th February, 2023
College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS)
College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS)
College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security (CoVAB)

Thursday, 16th February, 2023
Makerere University Business School (MUBS)

Friday, 17th February, 2023
College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT)
College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS)

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HEST Graduate Programme: Internship Placement Advert

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2 weeks ago

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January 19, 2023

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Students from the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology prepare to showcase their innovations as part of the Presidential Initiative for Science and Technology Stakeholders Forum on 31st July 2014, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.

Purpose

The program aims to improve graduates’ skills by placing them into selected partner industries for skills gain, facilitating the process and supervising placed interns. Graduates will be placed in their areas of study accordingly.

Time frame

The phased recruitment and placement will start from 1st December 2022 for a period of three months. Recent university graduates and those awaiting graduation should apply for this opportunity.

Eligibility

The project mainly focuses on university graduates from Makerere University (Mak), Makerere University Business School (MUBS) and Kyambogo University (KYU) who have undertaken the following courses

Makerere University and Kyambogo University

  1. Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
  2. Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
  3. Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
  4. Bachelor of Science in Telecommunication Engineering
  5. Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
  6. Bachelor of Architecture
  7. Bachelor of Science in Construction Management
  8. Bachelor of Science in Land Economics
  9. Bachelor of Science in Quantity Surveying
  10. Bachelor of Science in Land Surveying and Geomatics
  11. Bachelor of Visual Communication Design
  12. Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science

Makerere University Business School

  1. Bachelor of Arts in Economics
  2. Bachelor of Science in Business Statistics
  3. Bachelor of Business Administration
  4. Bachelor of Commerce
  5. Bachelor of Real Estate Business Mgt.
  6. Bachelor of Science in Accounting
  7. .Bachelor of Science in Finance
  8. Bachelor of Human Resource Mgt.
  9. Bachelor of Leadership and Governance
  10. Bachelor of Procurement and Supply Chain Mgt.
  11. Bachelor of Transport & Logistics Mgt.
  12. Bachelor of International Business
  13. Bachelor of Catering and Hotel Mgt.
  14. Bachelor of Science in Marketing
  15. Bachelor of Travel and Tourism Mgt.
  16. Bachelor of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Mgt.
  17. Bachelor of Business Computing
  18. Bachelor of Office and Information Mgt.

They should not be employed anywhere and should have gone through the traditional internship placement required by their respective universities.

How Students join

Interested university graduates shall submit an online application and contact the designated university contact or focal persons. Successful applicants will be required to complete the three (3) months internship pgoram uninterrupted to fully benefit from the program. Apply here: https://bit.ly/HEST2022

How companies participate

A company interested in hosting interns under the program can fill out an internship acceptance form and forward it to the internship placement officer.

Contacts of University focal persons

Makerere University (Mak)
Dr. Christine Amito
Tel: +256-771-321384
Email: amitoxtine@gmail.com

Makerere University Business School (MUBS)
Ms. Christine Nantambi
Tel: +256-772-654454/+256-703-878277
Email: cnantambi@mubs.ac.ug

Kyambogo University (KYU)
Ms. Nandugwa Harriet
Tel: +256-786030640
Email: hnandugwa@kyu.ac.ug

Contacts of IEED Project Team

Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH)
Ms. Mary Kaakyo,
IEED Project Coordinator
Email: mkaakyo@musph.ac.ug
Tel: +256-706-960075

Makerere University School of Statistics and Planning (MakSSP)
Ms. Afazali Zabibu,
HEST Study Coordinator
Email: zabibu.afazali@gmail.com
Tel: +256-779-912365/+256-705-587072

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