Business & Management
VC launches Mentorship program for female students in STEM
The Vice Chancellor has today April 6, 2023 launched a mentorship program for female students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The mentorship is being carried out under the Innovations Hub. Speaking at the launch, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe congratulated the research team led by Prof. Boksun Kim from University of Plymouth in the UK for winning the grant. He congratulated the students upon being selected for mentorship.
He welcomed the mentorship program, saying it will help reduce disparities in STEM. He reiterated the university’s commitment to see more female enrollment in the university and their participation in the development of the country. The university, he said has been actively promoting gender inclusivity through the affirmative action which gives 1.5 points to female students when joining the university.
The VC said the country has had disparities not only STEM but also in education generally. This, he said, is a result of the colonial setting. “Looking back at independence, the country had only about 5 girl schools compared to 30 for boys,” Prof. Nawangwe said. “At Makerere we have made every effort to address this problem with the affirmative action since the 1990s. This has increased enrollment of girls from 10% in 1990 to 52% today.”
He said, 3-years ago, enrollment of girls in STEM at Makerere was at about 35% and this has grown to 42%.
“It is important to have a balance between men and women for organizations to function better with diversity. So we need to have a good balance even in our STEM areas, which are very crucial for the country’s development,” Prof. Nawangwe said. He thanked the Royal Academy of Engineering for funding the project.
The Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Prof. Eria Hisali said the college was in the process of institutionalizing mentorship. The plan, the Principal said, would have both academic staff and senior administrative staff take on the role of mentoring and guiding the young students. He said it was important to mentor STEM students, not only because of the disparity in enrollment but also because of the potential of STEM in the transformation of the country.
Dr. Robinah Kulabako, in her keynote address advised the mentees against procrastination and asked them to be good stewards of their time. She advised them to be people of high integrity, reliable, and good team players. “We are training you to be great team players who must know that diversity is important for all teams,” she said.
She called on the mentees to embrace the opportunities given to them to learn something new. Failure, she said, is not the end of the line. She encouraged them to use failure as a springboard to be able to bounce back and make the best of their lives. Dr. Kulabako told the students to be determined because “where there is a will, there is a way.” She encouraged them to be hardworking, humble, respectful and resilient.
The project, mentoring future Women Graduates in STEM in Africa seeks to bridge the gender disparity in higher education and employment in STEM in Sub-Saharan Africa. The project will empower women graduates in STEM in Ethiopia and Uganda by training and mentoring them until December 2023. The program will benefit 20 female students in the final year of study in STEM related programs.
The students will be assigned to local and international career experts, who can act as mentors and role models. The students will get trainings on employability skills, empowering women and issues of sexual harassment at work. This will help with the professional and personal development of the students.
Project Team:
- Prof. Boksun Kim, University of Plymouth – UK (PI)
- Dr. Cathy Ikiror Mbidde, Makerere University (Co-PI)
- Dr. Geremew Teklu, Addis Ababa University of Science and Technology, Ethiopia
Staff members from the Department of Population Studies, within the School of Statistics and Planning at Makerere University, have successfully completed a comprehensive three-day training on Doctoral Supervision. The training, held from June 28 to June 30, 2024, was meticulously conducted by esteemed faculty from the College of Education and External Studies, alongside experts from the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training.
The initiative, aimed at enhancing the supervisory skills of doctoral advisors, underscores Makerere University‘s commitment to academic excellence and robust research mentorship. The Deputy Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences, Prof. James Wokadala, officiated the closing ceremony, commending the participants for their dedication and active engagement throughout the training sessions.
“We are committed to fostering a supportive and rigorous research environment for our doctoral candidates. This training is a testament to our dedication to academic excellence and effective mentorship,” remarked Prof. Wokadala in his closing address.
He said the college has got plans to improve PhD graduation levels, some of which include appointing two PhD coordinators per school. He asked the staff to exhibit high ethical standards while supervising the students.
The training program was generously funded by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation, secured by Dr. Patricia Ndugga. The grant facilitated a series of interactive workshops, case studies, and collaborative discussions, designed to equip the faculty with advanced supervisory techniques and strategies to support doctoral students effectively.
Dr. Patricia Ndugga expressed her gratitude for the support, stating, “This training is a significant step towards enhancing the quality of doctoral supervision at Makerere University. We are grateful to the Carnegie Corporation for their continued support in our quest to improve research training and mentorship.”
The participants, who included both seasoned and emerging academic staff, have expressed their enthusiasm for applying the new skills and knowledge gained to their supervisory roles, thereby enriching the academic journey of their doctoral students.
Makerere University remains steadfast in its mission to provide top-tier education and research training, continuously seeking avenues to enhance the capabilities of its faculty and the academic experience of its students.
In a key gathering at College of Business and Management Sciences’ School of Economics, stakeholders from diverse sectors convened yesterday (June 20, 24) to envision the future of economic education in Uganda. The occasion centered around the unveiling of the proposed Bachelor of Science in Development Economics, a program poised to reshape how economic challenges are addressed and opportunities harnessed in the country.
Among the esteemed speakers were Prof. Edward Bbaale, Principal of the college, and Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, Dean of the School of Economics, whose shared enthusiasm for the new program underscored its potential impact. “This initiative aligns seamlessly with Uganda’s Development Goal Vision 2030 and the National Development Plan III (NDPIII),” Prof. Bbaale remarked. “Our aim is to empower students with the knowledge and skills to drive sustainable development across the nation.”
“Our aim is not only to contribute to the development of Uganda but also to impact the wider African region and beyond,” Prof. Bbaale said.
Development Economics, as emphasized by Prof. Okumu, represents a fusion of economic theory and practical application aimed at fostering inclusive growth and poverty reduction. “This program,” he explained, “is not just about classroom learning; it’s about preparing future economists to engage directly with real-world challenges and policy-making processes.”
With an emphasis on research-led teaching and innovative approaches to economic analysis, the Bachelor of Science in Development Economics aims to position graduates as thought leaders capable of driving sustainable economic growth and development.
The workshop provided a dynamic forum for stakeholders from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, as well as representatives from KCCA, CHUSS, CONAS, URA, and the private sector, to offer valuable insights. Discussions centered on curriculum design, industry relevance, and collaborative opportunities, reflecting a shared commitment to equipping graduates with the skills demanded by today’s economy.
“The Ministry of Finance recognizes the pivotal role of this program in advancing Uganda’s economic agenda,” noted a representative during the workshop. “By focusing on development economics, we are fostering a cadre of professionals capable of driving innovation and sustainable growth.”
From the private sector, there was a clear call for graduates who possess not only theoretical knowledge but also practical experience. “We look forward to collaborating with the School of Economics to ensure that students gain hands-on skills that are directly applicable to our evolving business landscape,” remarked a representative from a leading industry player.
Looking forward, the School of Economics aims to integrate stakeholder feedback into finalizing the program’s curriculum and securing necessary accreditation. With an emphasis on research and policy analysis, the Bachelor of Science in Development Economics aims to prepare graduates to become catalysts for change, equipped to navigate Uganda’s economic complexities.
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