Makerere University in line with its focus to become a research-led and knowledge-based University hosted a symposium on the role of universities in shaping national development. Held on Thursday 30^th March, 2023 under the theme “The role of Universities in responding to Africa’s problems and development needs”, the symposium was officially presided over by the President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who was represented by the Vice President, H.E. Jessica Alupo.

The President in his address opined that the education system in Africa must empower graduates to transition national economies from dependence on the export of raw materials to integrated, independent and self-sustaining ones. He added that this new education system ought to have six elements namely:

1. Understand the strengths and weaknesses of the pre-colonial African societies so as to understand why they were conquered by the rapacious foreigners;
2. Understand the colonial intrusion, after the mutation of the slave trade into colonialism, the creation of the enclave economies that confined themselves into the production of raw materials;
3. Understand the need for change, which includes manufacturing, expanding of the money economy and expanding of the services sectors;
4. Dealing with the neo-colonial social sciences;
5. Using the education system to instil confidence in the African people; and
6. Study the history of the World, including Europe, to understand how social-economic metamorphosis took place.

The keynote address on the occasion was delivered by Professor Vincent Anigbogu, Director General, Institute of National Transformation Lagos Nigeria, and the panel discussion was moderated by Professor Obwoya Kinyera Sam, Deputy Chairperson, National Planning Authority. Panelists included:

• Professor Umar Kakumba, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Makerere University
• Dr. John Kitayimbwa, Vice Chancellor, Uganda Christian University
• Professor Joy Constance Kwesiga, Vice Chancellor, Kabale University
• Ms. Dorothy Kisaka, Executive Director, Kampala Capital City Authority
• Dr. James Magara, Chairperson, Centre for Advanced Strategic Leadership

Proceedings from the Symposium may be viewed in the embedded video below:

Please see below for remarks from the Symposium

• Remarks by the President H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
• Remarks by the Chairperson of Council Mrs. Lorna Magara
• Remarks by the Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe
• Keynote address by Director General, Institute of National Transformation Professor Vincent Anigbogu

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