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RUFORUM Newsletter February 2023

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The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) extends appreciation to the RUFORUM Board and Vice Chancellors , RUFORUM Partners, University Management, Students and all our stakeholders in the Higher Agricultural and Tertiary Education sector from the 40 RUFORUM Member Countries across Africa. We are also grateful to all other organizations, including our National Governments, for their efforts in managing the COVID-19 pandemic and working towards a quick return to normalcy and recovery in growth of Africa’s economy. Because of your collective efforts, universities and other higher education sectors have been able to resume full operations, for which we congratulate all management, staff, and students.

In a special way, on behalf of the RUFORUM Network, I would like to thank the Government of Zimbabwe and the RUFORUM Member Universities in Zimbabwe for hosting the 18th RUFORUM Annual General Meeting and Conference (AGM) of 2022 that was held in Harare, Zimbabwe. The theme of the AGM was, “Strengthening Africa’s agri-food systems in the post COVID-19 era – opportunities and challenges.”

The conference attracted over 1,000 participants including higher education and agriculture leaders, researchers, policy makers, development partners, private sector actors, students and farmers, among others. The mutually reinforcing meetings included: (a) A Vice Chancellors Forum for lesson sharing across member universities; (b) Presented 129 scientific papers; (c) Recognized leading personalities in higher education in Africa; (d) Recognized young innovators and; (e) Showcased exhibitions from African Universities and their partners. Additionally, a ministerial meeting on higher education that generated policy recommendations for growing Africa’s higher education sector was held. The AGM business meeting was held, and it heralded a change in leadership at the Secretariat, with Professor Adipala Ekwamu, RUFORUM’s founding Executive Secretary, passing the baton to the new Executive Secretary. The RUFORUM Board, and indeed the entire network and higher education community in Africa and globally, thank Professor Adipala Ekwamu, for his outstanding contribution to Human Capital Development in Africa, promoting University- Community engagement, University-Policy-Industry linkages, as well as mobilising funding for strengthening Higher Education, Agriculture, Science, Technology and Innovation Development in Africa.

As we move forward in 2023, RUFORUM would like to bring to your attention a key principle of solidarity, that has kept our network together in the past and is critical for our collective future. We have found solutions to our problems by working together, such as the need to build each other’s human resources. Through the Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) Program, championed by the Vice Chancellors, we are building capacity for Africa by Africa. To date, 252 GTAs (65 female, 187 male) from 55 sending universities have been placed in 44 host universities across the RUFORUM network. These GTAs are from 55 member universities of the RUFORUM network. I would like to congratulate the Vice Chancellors of participating Universities, as well as their management and staff, on taking this courageous “leap of solidarity.” Let us continue to support one another in research, teaching and learning as well as development delivery.

We are pleased to announce that the Government of Cameroon together with the RUFORUM Member universities in the country will host the 19th RUFORUM Annual General Meeting in Yaoundé. The conference will take place in the last quarter of 2023, and more details will be communicated soon. Several pre-conference events will be held virtually, allowing us to engage with stakeholders at different levels. Kindly visit the RUFORUM and conference website for updates.

The five-year RUFORUM Operation Plan is currently under development and will be launched later this year. RUFORUM envisions vibrant, transformative universities catalysing sustainable, inclusive agricultural development to feed and create prosperity for Africa. To achieve this vision, we need a collective effort to educate people in agriculture and intensify gender inclusion. The secretariat will seek your wisdom and guidance to help us develop a viable and impactful operation plan. Finally, This newsletter contains highlights of happenings in our network that you all have made and continue to make grow. Thank you and God bless you all.

Professor Patrick Okori
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

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Mark Wamai

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Mature Age Scheme Exam Results for 2025/2026

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The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released full results for the Mature Age Entry Scheme Examinations for the Academic Year 2025/2026 held on Saturday 14th December, 2024.

The Candidates who scored a final mark of 50% and above passed the examination and have been recommended by the Pre-Entry & Mature Age Committee to the University’s Admissions Board for Consideration.

The Aptitude Exam  Results for 2025/2026 Academic Year released in February 2025 can be found here.

Mak Editor

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Directorate of Graduate Training Completes Training of First Cohort Training of Supervisors

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By Moses Lutaaya

The Directorate of Graduate Training (DGT) has in collaboration with Centre for Teaching and Learning completed the training of the first cohort of Graduate Supervisors.

Participants were academic staff from two colleges namely, College of Engineering, Art and Design (CEDAT) and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES).

The three-day training that took place at the Telepresence Centre, Senate Building ended on Friday 20thJune 2025.

In his closing remarks to the participants, the Director of Graduate Training Prof. Julius Kikooma said, “This is the first cohort we are working together with the Center for Teaching and Learning to put together continuous professional development Program so that we are able to enforce the new teaching and learning policy.”

He said that before lecturers are allocated students for supervision, they must first go through this form of formal teaching and learning training to equip them thoroughly with certification required of supervision of graduate students.

“We are coming up with process to ensure that the certificates earned by participants allow you to supervise graduate students. This is the direction of the university and we must ensure that such trainings are concluded and completed successfully by all participants”, Prof. Kikooma.

Prof. Julius Kikooma – Director of Graduate Training

“We can only have you certified upon completing all the exercises in the training process. This is when you will be eligible to receive the work load for supervision”, He added.

“This training of Supervisors is going to be continuous so that all academic staff in colleges and schools are equipped. This first cohort is going to be our building block to the future trainings in the colleges.”

With such capacity building trainings, Prof. Kikooma said that the university is on the right path to achieving its targets in the new strategic plan of increasing the number of graduate students while progressively reducing the under graduate students.

He further hinted that, “We are in the process of writing a curriculum on this, which will be presented for approval before it is rolled out.”

He echoed all participants to share the knowledge they have acquired adding, “Share all you have learnt, do not keep it. Be open minded, have proper communication channels and the sky will be the limit for you.” 

Dr. Robinah N. Kulabako, The Head of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at CEDAT welcomed the training adding, “This training is very pertinent. I have had the opportunity to supervise Masters and PhD students for over 15 years and I must say that the need to be subjected to this training cannot be over emphasized because there is need to learn, unlearn and relearn many aspects involved in the supervision process.”

She added, “We are moving towards knowledge-based supervision rather than experience-based supervision. This means we must be informed and equipped to be able to advise, guide and mentor to be able to lead a successful supervision journey for both supervisor and supervisee.”

Dr. Andrew Gilbert Were – a lecturer at CEDAT and a participant said, “It is important that all supervisors of graduate students receive this certification from Makerere University through a systematic training process that enables them to attain diverse skills to facilitate learning of graduate students from diverse cultures and with unique set of circumstances.”

“This training is long overdue. In fact, it was an oversight that we could be allowed to supervise students without undergoing supervisors’ training.”

Dr. Dorothy Ssebowa, The Director Centre for Teaching and Learning support- CEES said, “The training this time round has had a mix of early career professionals including Lecturers, Supervisors and Professors share experiences. We have learnt a lot more from experienced supervisors who have shared practices on how they have done supervision over the years.”

“The knowledge and experience-based approaches have made this collaboration very active, interactive and learner centered which has resulted into a collaborative learning from the interdisciplinarity of staff from CEDAT and CAES. The issue now is to continue with professional development across all levels.” She added.

The Makerere University Directorate of Graduate Training (DGT) in collaboration with the Centre for Teaching and Learning completed the training of the first cohort of Graduate Supervisors. This activity was supported by the iCARTA – Institutionalization of Advanced Research Training in Africa, a NORHED II Project at Makerere University.

Mak Editor

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CEDAT’s Department of Architecture to Undergo Major Studio Refurbishment with Industry Support

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R-L: Arch. Kenneth Ssemwogerere (Head of Department, Architecture), Dr. Kizito Maria Kasule (Deputy Principal, CEDAT), and Mr. Kayongo Daniel (Plascon Uganda National Sales Manager) during the official handover of a donation at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), Makerere University, on Tuesday, 25th June 2025.

The Department of Architecture at Makerere University’s College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT) is set to begin a significant refurbishment of its design studios starting 1st July 2025. This initiative marks a pivotal step in enhancing the learning environment for architecture students and fostering innovation in design education.

The refurbishment project has received a significant boost from Kansai Placon Uganda Limited, which donated UGX 15 million worth of paint to support the transformation. This contribution highlights the growing partnership between academia and industry in shaping the future of architectural education in Uganda.

Click here for details

Alex Isemaghendera

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