Education
EASHESD hosts Prof. Keet Lecture on Critical University Studies
The East African School of Higher Education Studies and Development (EASHESD) on Friday 27th January 2023 hosted Prof. André Keet, who gave a lecture on Advancing Critical University Studies across Africa.
Prof. Keet is the Research Chair for Critical Studies in Higher Education Transformation (CriSHET) and is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Engagement and Transformation at Nelson Mandela University.
Critical University Studies (CUS) is an approach to the study of university that critically explores the taken-for-granted assumptions of higher education. The study seeks to examine other ways of addressing issues in the university. “When you critique your institution, you are making it better,” Prof. Keet said.
Prof. Keet said there are divergent traditions and views about CUS. One such tradition says Institutional CUS is founded on the premise of a fundamental change in the ontology of the University from the onset of global neoliberalism in the 1990’s.
There was, according to this view, a time when the University was a utopic space and criticism ought to work towards that realising that utopia once more.
According to Prof. Keet, another ‘tradition’ of critical work in the University can be traced to critical pedagogy, decolonial studies, and critical internationalization studies. There has always been a critical tradition, one which acknowledges the University was never a utopic space, but always exclusionary and unjust.
The Abolitionist University Studies scholars argue, therefore, that for CUS to be truly emancipatory and meaningful, these traditions must be acknowledged and built upon.
Prof. Keet has established a network to advance CUS. The network is called CriSHET.
While addressing the participants, the Principal of CEES, Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga, who also represented the Vice Chancellor called on the scholars to crtically think about how we can better our education system. He argued that with the privatization of education in Uganda, we had many universities opening up and with that came many students that are not up to the task and yet universities have to groom these students. He called for critical ways in which this training can be done. “How come our education was able to produce the Kenneth Kaunda, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, Nelson Mandela and the like, yet today the people leaving the university are corrupt, selfish individuals? We need to rethink our education,” he said.
Dr. Jude Ssempebwa, who organized the public lecture said the topic was important for it allows people to think of new ways to solve challenges within the university and education sector at large.
Brief Profile of Prof André Keet
Prof. Keet currently holds the Research Chair for Critical Studies in Higher Education Transformation (CriSHET) and is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Engagement and Transformation at Nelson Mandela University. He is a former Visiting Professor at the Centre for Race, Education and Decoloniality, Carnegie School of Education, Leeds Beckett University, UK and the 2018 Marsha Lilien Gladstein Visiting Professor of Human Rights at the University of Connecticut.
Prof. Keet served as Director and Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and on the Commission for Gender Equality, before joining the university sector. Since entering the higher education field, André has held professorial positions at the universities of Pretoria, Fort Hare and Free State. He has been serving as transformation advisor and practitioner in various capacities in the sector.
Prof. Keet’s research and post-graduate supervision focus on radical approaches to the study of higher education, such as critical and abolitionist university studies.
Education
Mapping Research in Education: A Baseline Study on PhD Completion and Emerging Research Themes
Makerere University’s Centre for Life-Long Learning (CLL) under the College of Education and External Studies celebrated a significant milestone on January 24, 2025, as over 40 students successfully graduated with diplomas and certificates in various fields accredited by the Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB).
The graduation ceremony, held at Makerere University, marked the sixth cohort to complete their academic programs at the Centre, highlighting its role in equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary for professional and personal growth.
The ceremony included a moment of pride for Namagembe Saidat, who emerged as the best-performing student. She graduated with a Diploma in Secretarial Studies, achieving an outstanding CGPA of 4.86. Saidat’s accomplishment reflects the Centre’s commitment to academic excellence and nurturing top-tier professionals.
In his address, Dr. Oscar Mugula, the National Coordinator of CLL, congratulated the graduates for their resilience and hard work over the two years of study. He commended the government for revising the admission policy for diploma programs, which now requires only one principal pass instead of two. This policy adjustment, he noted, has significantly increased student enrollment and widened access to higher education opportunities.
Dr. Mugula also encouraged the graduates to register with professional bodies as technicians, emphasizing that such affiliations would enhance their employability and competitiveness in the job market.
Speaking on behalf of the Principal of the College of Education and External Studies (CEES), Dr. Harriet Nabushawo extended gratitude to the government, particularly the Ministry of Education and Sports, and UBTEB for entrusting CEES with the training of diverse education stakeholders. She further thanked Makerere University’s management for its unwavering support of the College’s activities and acknowledged the collaboration with the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology, which provides access to laboratories and workshops essential for student training.
Dr. Nabushawo urged the graduates to consider advancing their studies by enrolling in degree programs to further enhance their qualifications. Additionally, she shared valuable life skills and encouraged the graduates to adopt a mindset of continuous learning and self-improvement to remain relevant in a dynamic labor market.
The graduation ceremony underscored the transformative impact of lifelong learning in fostering socio-economic development and empowering individuals to achieve their full potential. The Centre for Life-Long Learning continues to play a pivotal role in bridging educational gaps and promoting inclusivity in higher education.
As the graduates embark on their professional journeys, their success serves as a testament to the dedication of CLL’s faculty and staff, as well as the vital role of Makerere University in nurturing skilled professionals equipped to contribute to national development.
Congratulations to the graduates, faculty, and all stakeholders who made this milestone possible!
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