RMIT University Australia’s Centre for African Engagement (CAE) invites suitably qualified citizens of African Countries for the PhD Scholarships outlined below. Please click the respective links for detailed requirements.

Two STEM scholarship with a deadline of 14 December.

A spatial governance modelling framework for enhancing vulnerable road-user safety in Sub-Saharan Africa

Point-of-Care Bilimeter for Neonatal Jaundice Management in African Healthcare Settings

One Design and Social Context opportunity with a deadline of 30 November. 

Junior Black Rhinos: Building the impact evidence for supporting inclusive education

Mak-RIF funded research highlights disparities between science and arts teachers and their implications for Uganda’s education system.

A collaborative study by Makerere University and the Ministry of Public Service has shed new light on how salary enhancement affects the performance of secondary school teachers in Uganda. The study, titled “Impact of Salary Enhancement on the Performance of Secondary School Teachers in Uganda,” was funded by the Government of Uganda through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF).

The research was prompted by the Government’s 2018 pay policy that significantly increased salaries for science teachers, while arts teachers remained at a lower rate. By 2022, science teachers had achieved 77% of the approved pay target, while that of arts teachers remained at 12%.

Researchers, led by Makerere University’s Dr. Cyprian Misinde, have noted that these disparities have far-reaching implications on the quality of education, the National Development Plan (NDP III Goal 5: Human Capital Development), the emerging NDP IV framework, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Assessing the Effects of Pay Enhancement

The study set out to assess the impact of salary enhancement on teacher performance, focusing on motivation, retention, student outcomes, and perceptions of both science and arts teachers.

Using a mixed methods approach, researchers collected data from 1,352 secondary school teachers (617 science and 735 arts teachers) across 14 sub-regions. Additionally, 28 key informant interviews were conducted with head teachers, alongside 28 focus group discussions (FGDs) with students.

Key Findings: A Divided Teaching Workforce

The findings paint a stark contrast between science and arts teachers:

Science teachers reported high motivation (80.5%), strong perceived performance (76.5%), greater retention intent (39.1% planning to stay until retirement), improved student outcomes (64.5%), and enhanced morale (80.5%). Arts teachers, however, experienced lower motivation (25.5%), reduced performance (17.8%), lower retention (27.5%), weaker student outcomes (15.2%), and diminished morale (26.6%).

Across the board, 85.3% of all teachers agreed that higher salaries improve retention, reaffirming that pay remains a critical driver of teacher performance and commitment.

“While the pay policy has strengthened science education, it has unintentionally widened disparities that could undermine equity and holistic quality education in Uganda,” the report reads in part.

The study also found that salary enhancement alone was not accompanied by proportional investments in other key performance enablers such as school infrastructure, teaching materials, and instructional resources which are equally vital for improved educational outcomes.

Policy Implications and Recommendations

The report cautions that prolonged disparities could lead to growing division between science and arts teachers, teacher demotivation, workforce instability, and uneven student performance, potentially hindering NDP IV’s goal of sustainable human capital growth.

The researchers called for a review of the implementation modalities of the pay policy to minimize salary disparities between science and arts teachers, thereby promoting balance, morale, and fairness across disciplines.

While the emphasis on science aligns with NDP III’s focus on STEM and human capital development, neglecting the arts undermines the holistic learning. Researchers called for an urgent need for balanced reforms to align with NDP IV and SDGs 4&10. 

Leaders Weigh In

Speaking at the dissemination of the study, the Minister for Public Service, Hon. Wilson Muruli Mukasa, reaffirmed Government’s commitment to improving teachers’ welfare.

“The Government approved a public pay policy which includes progressive salary enhancement for secondary school teachers, particularly those teaching science subjects,” said Hon. Mukasa. “By FY2025/26, UGX 2.5 trillion has been committed to salary enhancements. However, even among teachers whose salaries were enhanced, some are applying for early retirement and their motivation to teach has declined. This study was hence commissioned to understand the immediate and future impact of this pay reform,” he added.

Hon. Mukasa further noted that the Ministry of Public Service sought technical support from a Mak-RIF–funded project to better appreciate the impact of salary enhancement and to guide future pay reforms.

The State Minister for Gender and Cultural Affairs, Hon. Peace Mutuuzo, echoed similar concerns, urging stakeholders to reflect on the challenges within the education sector and prioritize strategies that ensure equity and sustainability.

Strengthening Collaboration Between Makerere University and Government

The study is one of the first results of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in January 2024 between Makerere University and the Ministry of Public Service.

According to  Prof. Robert Wamala, a member of the Mak-RIF Grants Management Committee, the partnership is a strategy to strengthen evidence-based policy and governance.

“The MoU between Makerere University and the Ministry of Public Service is collaborative journey which forges a stronger bond between academia and Government for the greater good of society,” said Prof. Wamala.

Through the MoU, Makerere University and the Ministry of Public Service have committed to joint research projects, policy-oriented studies, data management and dissemination, capacity building, curriculum development, and monitoring and evaluation of collaborative initiatives.

Author: Winnie Kyamulabi is the Communications Officer, Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF)

The African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) 5^th Biennial Conference is underway at Makerere University, and Day 2 has kicked off with a keynote address from Prof. Vukosi Marivate. The keynote speaker and ABSA-UP Chair of Data Science at the University of Pretoria delivered his address under the theme “Research, Innovation & Artificial Intelligence for Africa’s Transformation: The Power of the Grassroots”.

Prof. Marivate reminded the audience that Africa’s AI journey is growing from the ground up, powered not by huge institutions but by determined communities and university-based innovators who refuse to wait for permission to build. He spoke passionately about initiatives like Masakhane and the Deep Learning Indaba, which have transformed African language research and expanded technical capacity across the continent. Rather than chasing prestige journals alone, he emphasized work that actually serves African people: building language models, releasing open-source tools, nurturing talent and keeping researchers rooted on the continent. In his words, the future of African AI will be shaped by local builders who choose their own path, invest in research, and create technology guided by real community needs, not external validation.

The keynote address was followed by a round discussion moderated by Prof. Kayode Oyebode Adebowale, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan and speakers emphasized that Africa’s AI future will be built through deep, intentional collaboration. The discussion was centered on a theme: Collaboration of Networks (Promoting Collaborative Research and Innovation Networks in AI in Africa). They noted that the question is no longer whether AI will reshape society; it already is. The real task now is ensuring Africa shapes AI in a way that advances prosperity, equity and shared opportunity. Panelists highlighted that isolated excellence will not deliver transformation. Instead, the continent needs networks that pool expertise, resources and vision across universities, sectors and borders.

Prof. Sharon Fonn of the CARTA Consortium stressed the value of co-created knowledge systems and shared investment in research platforms. She showcased CARTA’s AI-driven research visibility tool, which is already helping African scholars connect findings to policy and practice. Prof. Anthony Egeru of RUFORUM grounded the conversation in agriculture, reminding delegates that AI must reach the acre, not just the algorithm. He emphasized practical innovation that improves smallholder farmers’ productivity and livelihoods, especially through youth-led agritech ventures. From PASGR, Mr. Jim Kaketch underscored that social scientists must not be an afterthought in AI governance, urging frameworks that safeguard ethics, accountability and citizen inclusion.

Dr. Rachid Serraj from Mohammed VI Polytechnic highlighted the power of industry-university partnerships and hands-on innovation models that prepare young Africans to build, not just consume, AI tools. Prof. Akinyemi added that African universities must rethink promotion and reward systems to recognize innovation, impact and cross-disciplinary work. The panel’s shared message was simple but powerful: Africa has talent, vision and momentum. What is needed now is aligned investment, harmonized policies and a commitment to build AI ecosystems that reflect African priorities and enable African creators to lead from the front.

The keynote address and roundtable discussion were followed by the the Fourth Keynote Address delivered by Dr. Adama Ibrahim, Vice-Chair of the Science for Africa Foundation, and a Special Panel of the O.R. Tambo Research Chairs Initiative chaired by Makerere University‘s Dr. Joyce Nakatumba-Nabende. The session tackled themes such as: Application of AI in Research and Innovation in African Universities; Building AI Capacity and Talents in African Higher Education Institutions; Promoting Collaborative Research and Innovation Networks in AI in Africa; Research, Innovation and Artificial Intelligence for Africa’s Transformation; and AI and Creative Economies.

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