Computing & IS
CoCIS Presents Overall Best Science Student at the Mak 73rd Graduation
The 3rd Session of the Makerere University 73rd Graduation ceremony was held on 15th February 2023 at the university Freedom Square presided over by the Chancellor Prof. Ezra Suruma.
Prof. Suruma conferred degrees on graduands from the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS), the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) and the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS).
Sanga Anold Lukoda from CoCIS who has been pursuing a Bachelor of Information Systems and Technology emerged the overall best science student for the Makerere University 73rd Graduation ceremony with a CGPA of 4.85 out of 5.0.
Sanga received the recognition convocation award during the 3rd session of the graduation comprising the convocation plaque and one million Uganda shillings.
Sanga was grateful to God for this academic excellence and implored students remember God in all their endeavors and to be obedient.
“Always trust God and follow instructions”, Sanga advised.
The Principal CoCIS Prof. Tonny Oyana, said the college celebrates the victory and congratulated Sanga upon this exemplary performance. Prof. Oyana explained the three important prerequisites to produce such an excellent student.
“Number one, they come with superior foundation from High school. Two, they are dedicated to their programme – the type of students that ask lecturers questions, stay in the lab and they want to learn more. Number three they are inspired by their career goal but also they want to be better,” Prof. Oyana said.
In his message to CoCIS students and staff, the Principal demanded for more.
“We want more. I know we can only have one number one but, we can have many in between so that they get opportunities because students with very good grades can be supported to do masters and admitted to any other university because they give a lot of hope. So, I encourage our staff that we should produce more high quality students who can become faculty”, Prof. Oyana stated.
He said such exemplary students will be invited to talk to final third year students and during orientation of first years to inspire them that it is possible and to build good grades from the beginning of their university life.
During this 3rd session of the Makerere 73rd graduation ceremony CoCIS presented 8 PhDs (5 Males and 3 Females), 23 Masters (18 Male and 5 Females) and 571 (322 Male and 249 Female) undergraduate and 2 Post Graduate (Male) Diploma candidates.
The eight PhD candidates presented from CoCIS were Bbosa Francis Fuller, Mugejjera Emmanuel, Ndagire Lillian, Ongaya Kizito, Nagwovuma Margaret, Odongto Godfrey, Mubangizi Martin Gordon and Nakirrija Justine. They conducted relevant and significant research contributing to Uganda’s needs.
The Chancellor Prof. Suruma made a cursory examination of the doctoral research carried out by the doctoral candidates in the three colleges and commended the subject matter and their findings.
With regard to computing and information Sciences, Prof. Suruma took note of the study on disease surveillance with specific regard to the nodding syndrome. Nodding Syndrome has been a serious disease especially in Northern Uganda.
“The study indicated that there is need for surveillance and control of the black fly. I also found the study on water resource management using Lake Victoria basin as a case study extremely vital and relevant as it provides strategies for different stakeholders such as communities, managers and policy makers on how to improve water management”, The Chancellor commended.
The Chancellor appreciated graduands for the spirit of hard work, endurance, self-control and discipline that have brought them this far.
“The degrees we are awarding you today testify to the hardships, the discipline, the commitment, the brain and tears you have shed over decades of academic struggle. Your graduation today is a testimony that in the face of adversity, poverty deprivation, doubt and danger, you found the determination to hold on and to rise after fall. Today you are counted among the heroes and survivorship many intellectual battles”, Prof. Suruma appreciated.
Prof. Suruma recognized that Makerere University has been an integral part of the graduands success. He thanked the academic, administrative and support staff for the efforts and guidance that enabled students go through the complexities of the academic life.
The Vice Chancellors’ remarks
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe congratulated the graduands upon staying focused and fulfilling the requirements for the award of the various qualifications.
Prof. Nawangwe appreciated Government of Uganda for the Research and Innovation Fund given to the university as it strives to transform into a research led university.
“ The Research and Innovation Fund, that was made possible through a Government grant of UGX 30bn annually, has transformed Makerere tremendously with very many innovations in agriculture, and food security, health, engineering, education, veterinary medicine, artificial intelligence, economics and business management”, The Voce Chancellor reported.
He pointed out that the research on use of Artificial Intelligence in everyday life by CoCIS and many others from other colleges were of great importance to ensuring the stability and prosperity of Uganda.
In his message to the graduands, Prof. Nawangwe reminded them that they occupy a special place in Uganda’s development agenda.
“It is you that must ensure that our business are run on sound business principles, that our country embraces the digital era and use Artificial Intelligence in solving our development challenges.
We have done our best to impart on you knowledge that should enable you to face the world out there with confidence, to become part of the solution and not part of the problem. We have empowered you to be critical thinkers and to be entrepreneurs and good managers of our economy”, Nawangwe advised.
The Vice Chancellor reminded graduands that success does not only come through technical skills acquired but more through soft skills of knowing that they are part of a small privileged elite tasked to move people out of poverty and hence, the need to be humane and humble with determination to succeed.
“As you leave the Gates Makerere, I urge you to always be proud of your Alma Mater and be her good ambassadors. Put your trust in God and honor your parents and opportunities will be opened for you. And please, do not forget the Gates of Makerere. Remember that learning never ends and Makerere gates will always be open for you”, The Professor advised.
The week long 73rd Graduation Ceremony started on 13th -17th February 2023. A total of 13,221 students will be awarded degrees and diplomas of Makerere University. Of these, 102 will graduate with PhDs, 1,378 with Masters Degrees, 11,598 with Bachelor’s degrees, and 143 with undergraduate and postgraduate diplomas. 52% of the graduands are female and 48% male. 41 of the 102 PhD graduands and 563 of the 1,378 Masters graduands are female.
Computing & IS
Project PIs & Accountants Urged to follow Budget Controls, Approval Structures & Policies
Principal Investigators (PIs), research assistants and accountants in the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS) on 23rd November 2023 were equipped with knowledge and skills on Accountability protocols to increase their knowledge on managing funds.
The half-day blended Workshop which attracted 30 participants was officially opened by the Principal CoCIS, Prof. Tonny Oyana and facilitated by the Manager Accounts and Reports Makerere University Mr. Lubowa S. Gyaviira and the Team Leader, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) Mr. Tom Vok Elwana.
The training highlighted the common accountability challenges, accountability procedures and approvals and submission of accountability reports.
Noting delays in accountabilities, Prof. Oyana said, he would like to see the college conduct research and grow big rather than being blacklisted by development partners and donors.
The Principal said, the college has established itself in four principle areas of research where it draws credibility namely; the Sensing Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Human Computer Interaction research and Information seeking research.
He observed that sometimes researchers under estimate the reasons to be financially knowledgeable and hence the need for the training.
“Everything happens because of money. If you are a poor manager of your money, then, you cannot pursue the activities you set. So, financial responsibilities and discipline are very important if you are to be a good negotiator”, He said.
Motivated by the need to build a system that is prudent and robust and building an inclusive place to learn, work and succeed, Prof. Oyana shared his experience of what he has learnt as critical.
“First of all, know your financial status and spend within those limits. Never destroy someone’s credibility. I also recommend responsible financial discipline and not to go by peer pressure.
The minute you indicate a budget, you have controls. You don not shift budget items from other controls. If you want to spend and move items that are 10% and above, you need to get permission from the treasury”, Oyana advised.
The Principal also advised researchers to learn and follow the approval structures and policies, stick to their values and ethics and, ensure funds are used for intended activities. He advised scientists to strive for excellence and make good returns to those that entrust them with the resources.
Prof. Oyana extended the call for discipline in the laboratories on grounds that laboratories run on ethics and honesty. He stressed that it is good practice to follow scientific evidence because Science does not depend on rumours but on data and evidence.
Oyana also urged every researcher to have a research gap, be visionary and ensure laboratories have good practices and procedures and, provide data and scientific evidence to back hypotheses.
He reminded researchers that the primary duty of research is contributing to the body of knowledge and secondly to train and mentor young scientists to contribute to their knowledge.
Accountability procedures and approvals
Giving an overview of Accountability procedures and approvals, Mr. Lubowa Gyaviira represented by Mr. Tom Elwana underscored the need for researchers to know the regulations for accountability when planning.
Key Accountability procedures as extracted from relevant laws, policies and procedures that govern public financial management include but not limited to; Public Finance Management Act 2015; Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act; Treasury Instructions 2017 and; Makerere University Financial Manual 2014.
Elwana said accountability helps to establish whether the funds advanced were used for the intended purpose and whether all documentation relating to the accountability was presented for review.
Section 10 paragraph 10.20.11 and 10.20.12 of the Treasury Instructions, 2017, requires all advances to be retired as soon as the necessity for their use ceases to exist or within sixty (60) days upon completion of the activity or by closure of business of the last working day of the financial year in which the advance was issued.
“The Makerere University Financial Procedures Manual 2014 under section 4.6.4 enjoins staff to account for all advances received within 14 days of the completion of the activity and in any case not later than 60 days.
Failure to comply with standing instructions leads to the withholding further advances; Recovery from payroll; and or Disciplinary action in accordance with laid down procedures”, he said.
Elwana explained that staff advanced funds should follow the accountability and approval process from the unit accountant to the Internal Audit/examinations and compliance office which delivers to the Secretary Directorate of Internal Audit, who shall ensure it is stamped received, recorded in the register.
He said, a report for accountability must be attached and receipts indicating clearly amount of advance being accounted for while outstanding advances at end of year will be posted to the general ledger to make up the funds balance.
“Balances on advances not utilized at the end of the work/research should be surrendered to the Head of accounts and a receipt should be issued.
Failure to submit accountability will necessitate refund of all unaccounted for funds by the implementer.
After clearance of all accounted funds, a Journal Voucher (JV) is issued to show clearance of total amount accounted for,” Elwana emphasized
Submission of projects to GAMSU, a MUST for implementation of any activity
Elwana told researchers that all project PIs must not only register their projects and budgets with the Makerere University Grant Administration, Management and Support Unit (GAMSU) but also submit quarterly reports to this unit.
“GAMSU has an application and is calling upon PIs to submit their projects for capturing in their data. Failure to be captured, they may not implement their activities”, Elwana warned
Makerere University established GAMSU, which is tasked with the responsibility of overseeing all projects and grants within the university. This measure, Elwana explained, was an agreement with Government to allow the university oversee and receive the grants instead of the funds going directly to the consolidated fund.
The key responsibility of GAMSU is to ensure that reporting is streamlined within the university. GAMSU requires quarterly accountability reports from all grants and projects.
Submission of all budgets by all projects and grants is also mandatory as part of the accountability reports required by the University and Government.
As a matter of emphasis, on submission of accountability reports, PIs were advised to pay attention to their MoUs since different funders have different requirements.
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