By Ritah Namisango
On Wednesday 15th March 2023, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe received a delegation from Campus France and the French Embassy in Uganda to discuss matters of common interest including strengthening partnerships between Makerere University and Universities in France, research, study opportunities as well as staff and student mobility.

The visiting team consisted of Mr. Olivier Chiche-Portiche, Director in charge of Geographical Coordination at Campus France and the Head of the Delegation, Ms. Oumou Diakite- Assistant Head of Africa Department at Campus France, in charge of sub-saharan Africa, Mr. Yves Mercier- Head of Cooperation at the French embassy in Uganda, Ms  Léa Tracol – Education Attaché at the French Embassy in Uganda and Ms. Mercy Twinomujuni-Head of Campus France Uganda.

The delegation is holding a five-day visit (15th to 19th March 2023) to explore more collaboration opportunities in Uganda. The Campus France delegation, accompanied by members of the French Embassy has scheduled meetings with several senior Ugandan ministerial and academic officials, CEOs of foreign companies, diplomatic missions and agencies, and alumni.

Campus France, an operator of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, is the French agency in charge of promoting higher education and hosting and managing the international mobility of students, researchers, experts and guests. Campus France is present in 124 countries (including Uganda) around the world, relying on a network of over 250 Campus France Spaces and Antennas. 

Mr. Chiche-Portiche who handles international promotions and foreign funded scholarships informed the Vice Chancellor, Central Management and College Principals that Campus France is interested in ensuring that Makerere University students and staff access study opportunities in France. He stated that the tuition fees in universities in France were affordable and greatly subsidized throughout the Universities in France compared to other Universities in the USA and United Kingdom. On the issue of accommodation, Mr. Chiche-Portiche notified the University Management that the hostel fees are affordable and international students are accorded the equal treatment as the nationals (French students).

Ms Oumou Diakite, Deputy Director of the Africa Department said that increased collaborations and partnerships between Makerere University and Campus France would facilitate the process of ensuring that Ugandans access affordable education services in France.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe commended the good working relationship between Makerere University and the French Embassy in Uganda. He noted that the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (School of Languages, Literature and Communication) was working closely with the Embassy to promote the teaching of the French language. The Vice Chancellor also pointed out the existing working relationship between Campus France and Makerere University International Office.

Prof. Nawangwe mentioned that such partnerships are anchored in the internationalization agenda of the University as well as internationalization of higher education in general. The Vice Chancellor welcomed the idea of strengthening the existing collaborations and partnerships and strategies aimed at widening the collaboration scope to the wider university community. He expressed his commitment to supporting avenues and programmes aimed at enhancing staf and student mobility.

He however, noted the need to address the issue of language if Makerere University is to attract students and staff to access opportunities in France. “Most of us in Uganda speak English. That means that we need to put up mechanisms for students and staff to learn French. Professors and researchers at Makerere University need to learn some basics in the French language to undertake joint research with counterparts in Universities in France,” said Prof. Nawangwe.

During the interaction, the audience was informed that the College of Business and Management through its capacity building programme had finalized an agreement with Alliance Francaise, Kampala to train staff in the French language.

Inspired by the ongoing efforts, the Vice Chancellor commended the Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences, Dr. Eria Hisali and his team, for the initiative aimed at ensuring that staff in that College study and learn the French Language. Prof. Nawangwe reiterated that learning the French language would facilitate access to research opportunities.

Noting that the visiting delegation had highlighted the School of Law-Public Interest Law Clinic as an area of interest, the Vice Chancellor requested Dr. Ronald Naluwairo, the Acting Principal, School of Law to pursue this matter for the mutual benefit of students and staff. To facilitate the flow of information between Makerere University and Campus France, the Academic Registrar, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi emphasized the need for Campus France to establish information spaces/centres in Uganda.