New employees across colleges of Makerere University were on 7^th December 2022 equipped with information and tools on how to succeed on the job at Makerere University.

The main objectives were to update the new hires in terms of the policies and to help them know the core business of curriculum development and implementation and to make sure that they are effective teachers.

The third new hires workshop held in the Yusuf Lule Auditorium a was organized by CHUSS Centre of Excellence in Research, Teaching and Learning (CERTL). The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), received a grant from the Mellon Foundation of New York for the establishment of the center to explore and develop mechanisms of strengthening and promoting teaching and learning in the humanities and social sciences.

The third new hires training was facilitated by panelists from university Directorates,  prominent  alumni  and former  staff working outside Makerere University including Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, the Vice Chancellor Uganda Christian University (UCU) Mukono. The workshop was officially opened by the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs (DVCAA) represented by the Principal, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Assoc. Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga.

The  DVC AA appreciated  all those  involved in this noble task of orienting new staff noting that the importance of employee orientation in many organizations is often understated. The new hires workshop according to the DVCAA was in line with the mandate of the university in ensuring that teaching and learning is effective and secondly, it was timely for new hires to be aware of the changes brought by COVID in the way teaching and learning is conducted.

“Orientation serves to assist new employees with the tools and information they need to succeed in the job. It establishes the stage for human resource processes and company policy in the organization. An effective employee orientation program like this one will make a notable difference in how swiftly a new employee becomes prolific with other long-term impressions on the organization”, Part of the speech read

The DVC commended all those who have put aside their commitments to come and provide the new recruits with the tools and information they require to serve the university.

“Orientation encourages employee confidence and helps the new employee adapt faster to the job; Contributes to a more effective, productive workforce; Improves employee retention; and. Promotes communication between the supervisor and the new employee. Without an adequate, skilled and well-motivated workforce operating within a sound human resource management programme, development is not possible, “he added.

The  DVC AA  congratulated and welcomed the new hires for successfully joining Makerere noting that the University has many opportunities but, like any other higher education institution, there are challenges including; the academic student -staff ratio, inadequate funding, staff welfare issues, and infrastructural challenges and challenges  related to managing relationships, training and ddevelopment, talent retention, diversity in the workplace, embracing  inevitable change as well as employee health and well-being.

Besides the Policy Framework, Financial Sustainability and Infrastructure Support, the the DVCAA reported that the new Strategic Plan (2020/21-2030/31) considers Human resource as   the foundation of the University’s success.

He pledged the University commitment to have an integrated and innovative people-centered services that foster attraction, retention and development of an engaged, rewarded, motivated, healthy and effective workforce supporting the strategic direction of the University.

The objectives under Human Resource Development according to the Deputy Vice Chancellor include; to attract, recruit and retain quality Human Resource to support the mission of the University; to create an enabling environment for optimal performance of staff in service delivery; and to increase the capacity of teaching staff to deliver using modern pedagogy, including use of Online, Distance and e-Learning (ODEL) technologies.

“The university has continued to lobby government and succeeded on welfare where salaries for staff were more than doubled by the target period. Appraisal tools were developed and are being used and staff development programmes, including sabbaticals, were instituted.  The academic staff-student ratio was decreased which is within acceptable levels internationally and we continue to pursue our goal of becoming research led- a move to focus more on graduate training” he added.

He reminded recruits that Makerere is an equal opportunity institution that embraces diversity in order to achieve maximum potential without discrimination. He implored them to commit to the university’s core values including accountability and upholding ethos that meet the expectations of the different stakeholders

The DVC AA also implored employees to uphold Professionalism and adopt work ethics that demonstrate competence and capacity to generate results to the expected institutional, national, international and discipline specific standards.

“We also cherish integrity and upholding ethical values that will ensure that you do the right thing in all circumstances and maintaining the value of honesty, trust and responsibility in all your actions.

You are expected to have respect for fellow staff and students and that you will conduct yourselves with due regard and consideration for the rights of others and ensure acknowledgement, attention and good judgement in dealings with all our stakeholders”, he added

He applauded CHUSS and CERTL for this initiative and asked the Director and his team to continue using it to improve teaching and learning.  As management, we also pledge our continued support to the center.

Session one on Makerere University academic and other policies brought together a panel of experts including Patience Mushyengyezi representing the Academic Registrar who spoke on academic policies. The Director Quality Assurance Dr. Cyprian Misinde presented on Quality Assurance policy while the Mr. Julius Lebo who represented the Acting Director Ssanyu Lawrence deliberated on the Human resources policy and the Director Gender Mainstreaming Dr. Baine Euzobia presented the Gender mainstreaming policy and the Sexual Harassment policy.

Session two of the training was on working at a university and focused on privileges and academic responsibilities with advise from panelists: Prof. Paul Birevu Muyinda, Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga, Prof. Florence Kyoheirwe Muhanguzi and Dr. James Taabu  Busimba.

Aspects covered in session two included: Managing relationship with colleagues, Heads of Departments, Deans and Principals, Academics and senate Academics and peers, Academics and support staff, preparation to teach and Sexual Harrassment and Teaching that as the elephant in the room .

The training was also graced by Vice Chancellor Uganda Christian University Mukono Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi. In his keynote address titled: From Teaching Assistant to Vice Chancellor: The academic and professional journey of Makerere academic. Prof.  Mushengyezi advised new hires that it is alright to start small as a Teaching Assistant and progress step by step, but always endeavor to publish and aim at professorship as the goal.

Mushengyezi described Makerere as a place full of opportunities and privileges for employees to tap into saying, working as an academic requires hard work and commitment but, a sacrifice worth making.

He advised new employees to define the philosophy of their leadership, lead to make a difference and serve beyond self-saying, sometimes they have to make sacrifices of their leisure and use creativity to make things work.

The professor also urged employees  to pursue dreams beyond the university obligations, engage in community work, join good networks, support just courses, stand for the good of the institution,   be sober minded, and to always put God first.

“Professorship is our dream us academicians, we all dream to be professors. Position yourself, find out what you are good at and use it as an opener for you. When there is always an opportunity for you, go for it. The biggest problem is our mindset change. Always be focused and deal with mindsets.

 Join good networks of winners and associate with people who are innovative because you learn from them. Find a good mentor with mentorship skills that you admire.  Lastly live to make a change in the community and God will bless you”, he advised.

The Director CERTL Prof. Andrew Ellias State told new hires that they are expected to communicate with students very well and to remember that culture and emotions affect communication hence the need to check their teaching effectiveness.

 “Students will also remember you because of your unique teaching techniques and you need to ask and evaluate yourself if you doing the right thing. Promote effective learning by encouraging students to deal with challenges in class and bring out the ideas and also debates. Do not prejudge. Engage students in active learning. ”, Prof. State advised

From the day’s discussion State asked new hires to pick positive professional relationships on reason that they are going to be in a community with other scholars, colleagues and are also going to teach multiple classes, serve on other committees, have family and also squeeze in time for scholarship.

“Take time and talk to others If the opportunity presents and involve those in and out of your department. On top of that, be kind, patient for the interests of others, don’t be selfish. Develop a reputation for acting with integrity and trying to understand your colleagues’ perspectives and avoid departmental factions.

Support networks, seek out mentoring in your profession line. Attend conferences, tell colleagues what your research interests are, where you want to specialize in. Take out colleagues for coffee and tea in case you have something to discuss”, State advised.

Prof. State also advised employees never to give up when their   articles for publication get nasty comments but instead marry their science, for better or worse, pursue their passions and make sure they are good and also learn to say no and not to be afraid to change directions.

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Makerere University Department of Philosophy together with the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO (UNATCOM) on 17^th November ,2022 joined the rest of the world to celebrate the 20^th World Philosophy Day with a call for reforms in Uganda’s education system to make Philosophy a cross cutting and compulsory course.

This year’s celebration under the Global theme, “Humans of the Future”. Uganda chose to refine the theme to speak to pressing challenges hence the theme, “Harnessing Philosophy for addressing Uganda’s Development challenges”.

The World Philosophy Day coincided with Makerere University’s celebration of 100 years of existence and service to humanity and offered an opportunity both to celebrate the immense contribution made by Philosophy in understanding the world and to further reflect.

Amidst the ongoing debates on the importance of the Humanities, the debate at this event steered conversation among the academia, government, civil society and the general public on how Philosophy can inform progress in various aspects of individual and national aspirations.

Scholars argued that Uganda has a creativity, anticipation and the empathy gap premised in philosophy and that the humanity and humanism in this country cannot be restored unless the philosophical approach is resuscitated.  Unfortunately, philosophy is taught at higher levels in universities and when people search for courses, philosophy becomes the last opt option not taken as a serious course yet the country needs people to be patriotic, hopeful for the sake of development.

Convening at Makerere University Senate Conference Hall, the celebrants stressed that development cannot be achieved without including philosophy which starts with developing the human mind philosophically so that man is at peace with the environment sustainably.

When young people are in malaise bored in the morning, scholars asserted that you can only harness their strength to work for the development of this country when they have the philosophy and tenets for hope. Philosophy in that regard, brings that hope, critical thinking in humanity that is why philosophy should be a crosscutting course like communication skills, ICT and Ethics.

 For example, people are downgrading all the swamps, trees are being cut but people do not think about tomorrow. Shall we teach that in textbooks and examine that? The fact that people do not have the philosophical mind even to think of what they are going to leave for their children and the future generation, is partly the reason humanities scholars say need philosophy in colleges and institutions of higher learning.

Major propositions from the meeting

• Parliament of Uganda enacts a policy that makes the teaching of Philosophy compulsory at all educational levels.
• Makerere University works with other stakeholders to draft a proposal  and submit to the Education Policy Review Commission (EPRC) chaired by the former Education and Public Service Minister Amanya Mushega.
• Makerere University mobilises other stakeholders to draft a paper to the President of the Republic of Uganda through the Directorate of Ethics and Integrity  on the role of Humanities and Social Sciences in addressing  Uganda’s development challenges.
• Makerere University  champions and rolls out dialogues in public, private and non-governmental organizations and the general public on the importance of humanities and social sciences, and philosophy in particular.

Presiding over the function as Chief Guest, the Chairman Board of Governors Uganda National Commission for UNESCO Prof. Eliabu Lugujjo said UNESCO has urged its member states to take philosophy as a unifier and an intersection in human development.

To him, the first activity required for this involves the preparation of a study about the present state of teaching of philosophy in the world as an indispensable pre requisite for any future activity in this domain, since alert, enlightened reflection is the guarantor of action that is intelligent and to the point.

Lugujjo stressed that Philosophy finds its place at the intersection of education and the social sciences and humanities. In Uganda, he observed that there is an emphasis on the immediate utility of disciplines that are offered in higher institutions of learning with the priority being technological sciences.

“But we forget that the ideal utility is in itself philosophical. Even the concept Science cannot be understood outside of philosophy…. We should understand that natural and technological science have roots in pre-socratic, medieval and modern philosophical thought” He asserted

This according to Lugujjo implies that meaningful science should be founded in philosophy. In the area of humanities and social sciences, philosophy offers among others criticality, creativity and humanness that form the essence of such disciplines and therefore philosophy is a cross cutting discipline.

“…Philosophy should be given a special attention in Uganda’s academia and practice. Let us take an example of the political challenges we have gone through as a people; the immediate question is how can we co-exist? If we stopped asking such questions, the dignity of human person, respect for others, tolerance, social justice and liberty lose meaning and we may go back to the state of nature as postulated by Thomas Hobbes, where there is war of each against all”, He stressed.

Taking an example of corruption and social injustices and their far reaching implications on the wellbeing of Ugandans, Prof. Lugujjo challenged participants to ask hard questions about the root cause and what ought to be done.

“Whereas STEM is good, it must be done with philosophy at the background because you cannot build a bridge without considering the impact to society or construct a road without considering the sociological aspect of what you are doing. Science can germinate more, when it considers the humanities”, the professor stated.

The Principal College of Humanities and Social Sciences represented by Prof. Patrick Mangeni said the conversation on the Harnessing Philosophy for addressing Uganda’s Development challenges is critical and important for the academia.

“In a number of cases, many people do not seem to appreciate the role of the knowledge seeking discipline and disposition it brings to our lives. We are in a take away generation where thinking is left as a preserve of the isolated field. It is important when we locate our discipline and conversation within the realm of knowledge because a number of people take humanities as less contributing in its base to development.” Mangeni said.

Unlike other countries where highly and A – scoring students enroll to pursue philosophy Mangeni decried that in Uganda, the program is taken as a last resort after applicants fail to secure places of their priority courses. He however reported that within the limitations, departments have continued to do tremendous work and endeavored to make students appreciate the subject.

“We have produced students with excellent performance and have moved out and made an impact to many countries and that can be testified by the number of people in the field of philosophy”.

Professor Mangeni described the day’s conversation as significant in terms of visibility imploring the head of Department to devise means of sharing them out and come up with more activities such as public lectures and seminars in the field of philosophy.

The Head Department of Philosophy Dr. Spire Ssentongo thanked all participants for honoring the invitation to celebrate and having a constructive conversation inspired by philosophy saying the engagement will discredit the unfortunate believe that philosophy is basically an area of highly abstract matters and air splitting that has little to do with life and existing challenges of society.

Dr. Spire urged colleagues in the field of philosophy to demystify the impression that philosophy is about big grammar adding that anyone who sets out to communicate yet deliberately making it difficult for others to understand, can only be described as crazy.

“It is my hope that today is about a conversation that will make realistic efforts to be understood. One of the challenges of philosophy today is that it continues to live without proving its importance to anyone that cannot find it.

Philosophy appears to carry the attitude of a mother who may seem to look on as her children denounce her uselessness. She may frown and curse but not so to refute them. This has become a challenge because we live in a world where unfortunately the value of things is measured by whether they are defined by the powerful or not”, He said.

Dr. Spire observed that philosophy today finds itself on a shaky ground in neoliberal terms where the education is left to the market and forces of demand and supply to determine what is worth. In addition, philosophy continues to be threatened in a harsh world of scientism that is growing more than critical thinking.

“Philosophers in the past lived a quiet life of pursuing knowledge without a burden of proving their relevance in material path and now forced to join the crazy stampede of territory, money and disciplinary survival. Philosophers may choose to lament about these changes and stringent demand of them but we also need to remember the African saying: – that the groans of the goat does not stop the seller dragging it to the market.

As we work for a better educational order, in the meantime we may need to ask ourselves how do we position ourselves in the markets that is the reason for mobilizing this conversation but without totally surrendering it to the whims of the market”, He challenged.

Dr. Spire said the beauty of philosophical discussion which sound is construed as a weakness, is that it is characterized by constant questioning adding that once something has an answer, it ceases to be philosophy and becomes an entirely new discipline hence the continuous breakaway of disciplines from philosophy from history.

“Whereas philosophical inquiry may not provide direct answers, it produces questions that may handle it to the discovery of answers as well as the discovery of new disciplines. While philosophy is not a hard science, it contemplative discussion has contributed and still contributes to the creation of hard sciences.

Much of what we know today for scientific facts started with philosophical speculation through asking difficult questions challenging convention wisdom. In view of the above approach philosophy is unlike other disciplines in the sense that it does not limit itself to a particular matter the way biology speaks about living things for example. Philosophy focuses on unanswered questions of various subjects and beyond old disciplines”, He explained.

The World Philosophy Day

This year 2022, the world celebrates the 20^th Philosophy day that was initiated by UNESCO in 2002 by UNESCO General Conference that highlighted the importance of this discipline especially for young people. The general Conference underlined that Philosophy is a discipline that encourages critical and independent thought and is capable of working towards better understating of the world and promoting tolerance and peace.

UNESCO hopes to promote philosophical reflections throughout the world by opening spaces and encouraging people to share their philosophical heritage, opening their minds to new ideas, and inspiring public debate on society’s challenges.

The commemoration of the World Philosophy day on the third Thursday of November is reported to be associated with the birthday of Plato, a Greek philosopher born in Anthens during the classical period in ancient Greece. UNESCO as the initiator leads the World Philosophy Day but does not own it. It belongs to everyone who cares about philosophy.

This year’s Global theme is, “Humans of the Future” given the contestation about the concept, “human” and that human being of today has been affected a lot by politics, economics, socialization, science and technology which have an implication on the human being of the future in terms of development especially in Uganda.

A photograph exhibition showcasing an Italian helping hand in Uganda health sector has been mounted for public viewing for the next three months at the Arts Building, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS).

The outstanding and inspiring work of Italian NGOs and Associations dubbed, “In Sickness and In Health”, was on Friday 28^th October 2022 presented by the Italian Embassy in collaboration with Italian Agency for Cooperation, CHUSS and Italian NGOs and Associations working in health sector in Uganda.

The aim of this exhibition is to inspire young minds at Makerere University, by sharing an established history and future of the union between Italy and Uganda, founded on philanthropic collaboration and partnership.

The function was presided over by the Minister of State for Public Service Hon. Grace Mary Mugasa. The event was also graced by the Ambassador of Italy to Uganda H.E Massimiliano Mazzanti and the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University represented by his Deputy Vice Chancellor in Charge of Finance and Administration Prof. Henry Alinaitwe. The event was attended by the Principal CHUSS Associate Prof. Josephine Ahikire and her Deputy Dr. Erich Awich, representatives of the Italian NGOS, members of the diplomatic core, heads of international organizations, representatives of the Italian NGOs Association and members of the academia.

Presiding over the launch of the photo exhibition at the CHUSS Arts Quadrangle, Hon. Grace Mary Mugasa recognized the efforts of the Italians and expressed gratitude to the Embassy, Government of Italy and her people for the kind heart and support over the years.

“As Uganda, we are indeed grateful. Before I became Minister, I was seeing AVIS and Camboni missionaries in Hoima and I was seeing many priests going to Italy for further studies but now, I have noticed that it is work which has been ongoing for a period of time. Wherever the Italian Cooperation worked, there is an impact up to today. We are very grateful for this great contribution”, The Minister noted.

Hon. Mugasa reported that up now many missionary activities are ongoing in Hoima and other districts with many traces of the Dominican and Combonian sisters.

The minister described Italy as the epitome of the Catholic faith most especially the Vatican adding that every year, parliamentarians are invited to Rome to reflect on whether, they are following the catholic values while in parliament.

She applauded the Government of Uganda for allowing NGOs and creating a conducive environment for other partners to work in Uganda. She also thanked the organizers for the talking pictures.

The Ambassador of Italy to Uganda H.E Massimiliano Mazzanti said the “In Sickness and In Health” photo exhibition recognizes the historical contribution made by eleven Italian NGOs and Associations in the Ugandan Health sector.

“Italy and Uganda have had a long-standing relationship that dates back to the early 20th century, when members of the order of the Camboni Missionaries settled in the northern areas of the country, implementing commendable activities of support to the local communities especially in areas of health and education”. Ambassador Massimiliano Mazzanti explained.

To-date, the Ambassador explained that several hospitals have been built by Italians and continue to embody a point of reference for Ugandans especially in some of the remote areas of the country.

“The aim of this exhibitions is therefore to inspire young minds here at Makerere University, a Ugandan Centre of Excellence, by sharing an established history and future of this union between Italy and Uganda, founded on philanthropic collaboration and partnership.

These photographs shine a light on the vast ongoing impact of these Italian Civil Society Organizations and hospitals in the different districts which rarely see spotlight. They capture dedication, commitment, professionalism and above all, will act as a tribute to the silent hard work and the legacy of Italian humanitarian excellences”, The Ambassador stressed.

The Ambassador expressed pride of what the NGOs and Associations in collaboration with the different local authorities have been able to achieve so far saying, they will continue to achieve – both in terms of directly supporting their beneficiaries and in continuing to build capacity of the next generation of doctors, sometimes in the most trying of circumstances.

Representing the Vice Chancellor, the Deputy Vice Chancellor in Charge of Finance and Administration Prof. Henry Alinaitwe welcomed all stakeholders and thanked the organizers and NGO forum that has been supporting Ugandans since 1956 adding that, Makerere is one of those institutions that prides itself in collaborating with many institutions .

“I am intrigued by the title of the exhibition, “In sickness and In health”. There has been a lot that the Italian government and NGOs have contributed to this theme . Italians have supported many health and education institutions in Uganda like Lacor hospital, schools like St. Mary’s Kisubi and very well known for supporting especially the Catholic church”.  He said.

Prof. Alinaitwe commended the embassy for the exhibition and the wider project of the European Union supporting the mobility of Makerere University students and staff.

“Makerere is celebrating its 100 years of service and we take this exhibition to be part of the Makerere @100 and we want to thank you for contribution to our celebrations. We should extend the collaboration to CEDAT Museum so that these pictures can be archived to strengthen our deliverables”, Prof. Alinaitwe stated.

Alinaitwe also thanked Government of Uganda for the support extend to Makerere and providing a conducive environment for operation.

The Principal CHUSS Associate Prof. Josephine Ahikire said, the Department of Sociology and Anthropology has had long outstanding collaboration with the Embassy of Italy and Italian universities in academic cooperation.

Prof. Ahikire welcomed the Chief guest and all dignitaries to Makerere University and the CHUSS and to the exhibition.

“This is a new and quiet face but a very meaningful event of showcasing in picture and in word the collaborations and footprints of the Italian NGOs in Uganda since 1956. They are more than 60 years old and we celebrate that.

We are glad that we are weaving into our celebrations some of the collaborations we have had with the Italian government, Embassy , NGOs and the European Union in general and since they say, pictures speak 1000 words, they will speak for themselves ”, The Principal said.

As a college, Prof. Ahikire said CHUSS has a long standing collaboration with Turin University Italy  in terms of student and staff  exchange  in sociology and social work, film studies and also   interact and broaden the fields around cultural studies.

Prof. Ahikire informed participants that the exhibition had been mounted on a historic building of 1950s and has hosted the former Makerereans heard of including Rose Mbowa, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and  Ngungi Wa Thiong’o.

The Head Department of Sociology and Anthropology Dr. Fred Bateganya expressed delight and thanked the Italian government for the continuous partnership with Makerere University and specifically the Department.

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