Humanities & Social Sciences
CHUSS holds Colloquium to address resource constraints to Teaching, Learning & Research in the Global South
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) on 18th and 19th May 2023 hosted the colloquium to address resource constrains that impact the quality of teaching, learning and research in institutions located in the Global South.
Participants mainly comprising senior faculty, programme coordinators, Heads of departments and Deans discussed pedagogical innovations, internet infrastructure, faculty and student safety practices and policies of online pedagogy.
The colloquium was organised under the auspices of the CHUSS Centre of Excellence for Research, Teaching and Learning (CERTL) under the theme, “Supporting Teaching, Learning and Research at Global South Higher Education Institutions” at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kampala.
While closing the workshop, the Principal CHUSS Assoc. Prof. Josephine Ahikire said CERTL has legitimacy and a job to execute, in bringing back the soul of Humanities which is theory.
“We cannot be relevant if we cannot ground ourselves in theory and academic writing. Our course outline will show that we are inclined to grounding students in academic writing.” The principal said.
Prof. Ahikire stressed that CERTL is an idea.
“What we want to emphasise is that CERTL is not a unit, not an organisation, not a department but it is an idea. The idea is the revitalisation of the teaching of the humanities, research and academic engagements. As we do this, we also keep our eyes on the price of why we exist as humanities intellectuals”, The Principal said.
She thanked the leadership of CERTL for organising this kind of interaction as well as participants and presenters for taking time writing saying, writing is a challenge that they have to live up to.
The Principal urged staff to motivate students to write.
“We have to ensure that we motivate our students in terms of writing and academic skills.
Our challenge of now is to ensure that we encourage the culture of public intellectualism. Let us be able to create a presence as small as mighty as we are as social scientists. ”She added.
Prof. Ahikire thanked the former and active deans and heads of departments, programmes coordinators for supporting the college processes noting that this is the way to go.
At the end of donor funding, the Principal pledged to ensure that CERTL remains as idea for integration into the college budgeting process on grounds that it is about curriculum and strengthening both undergraduate and graduate programmes.
“Undergraduate programmes are foundational; we cannot run away from them. a person who performs well at undergraduate will perform well at the graduate level. Let us have strong focus on what we teach and how we motivate our students”. Prof. Ahikire advised.
Besides speeches, CERTL research fellows presented different topics they were researching on followed by discussions and inputs into their work.
On day one four presentations were made:
- Dr. Ferdinand Mutaawe Kasoozi presented on: Pioneering Novel Teaching and Learning Models for Resources-Stress Mitigation at Uganda’s Institutions of Learning.
- Dr. Danson Kahyana: Bridging the Theory-Practice Gap Through the Guest Lecture: Preliminary Reflections from Creative Writing Class.
- Ms. Otwine Anne – Career guidance and Counselling, occupational Information knowledge, and career self- concept; Acase of career life transition among students in Uganda.
- Dr. George Okiror and Dr. Eunice Akullo- Opportunities and Challenges of Research Teaching and Skilling of Graduate Students at the Department of Political Science and Public Administration.
On day two, seven presentations were made;
- Dr. Isaac Tibasiima and Dr. Caesar Jjingo – Exploring the practices of tech-driven writing centres in South African Universities
- Dr. David Onen – How to Build Successful centres of Excellence in Resource-Constrained Higher Education Institutions; Lessons for the Nascent Centre of Teaching of Teaching and Learning at Makerere University
- Dr. Mercy Mirembe Ntangaare – How Smart is, “the smart is . “ The Campus of the Future”, for learning communities in performing Arts? Sampling experiences and expectations of students and staff at Makerere University Kampala.
- Dr. Julius Julius Niringiyimana – Active Learning in Large Size classee: Investigating the Role of Think Pair Share (TPS) AT THE School of Social Sciennces, Makerere University.
- Rev. Simon Masiga – Inter-Religious Dialogue and inclusive Society of Persons with Disability. Towards an Inclusive socio –Religious Development.
- Dr. Sarah Nakijoba K – Interrogating the teaching of academic writing on the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
- Dr. Julius Kiiza – The Future of the “Research –led” University in Digitalising Africa Between Transformation and Transformation and Transformation.
Additional reporting on day one can be accessed on the link below
By Atwenda Nancy. E
Makerere University, June 20, 2025 — The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) is holding its 2025 Graduate Symposium from June 19 – 21, 2025, bringing together scholars, mentors, and graduate students in a spirited exchange of ideas, research, and academic collaboration.
The symposium, hosted at Makerere University, has provided a dynamic platform for PhD students to present their ongoing research, while also strengthening ties with sister universities and celebrating the achievements of the CHUSS Graduate School in nurturing the next generation of scholars.
In his keynote address, Dr. Edgar Fred Nabutanyi welcomed participants and acknowledged the contributions of speakers from the previous day’s sessions, including Prof. Eric Awich Ochen (Deputy Principal, CHUSS), Dr. Peter Wekesa, and Dr. Zaid Sekito, among others. He emphasized that the symposium was not just a showcase of academic work, but a strategic platform to build partnerships and attract research funding.
“Generations must prepare for the next generation,” Dr. Nabutanyi noted, reflecting on life after PhD and the evolving role of Makerere University as a research-intensive institution. He praised department heads for their role in ensuring timely completion of graduate programmes and reiterated the college’s commitment to research excellence.
The event was officially opened by Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe. In his remarks, Prof. Buyinza highlighted the importance of research that is impactful and relevant to society.
“Research is unimportant unless it is relevant,” he stated. “If one conducts research that doesn’t benefit society, it becomes a waste of resources.” He urged graduate students to approach their academic work with purpose, noting that Makerere is not a “PhD factory” but a hub for innovation, with over 300 active PhD students registered.
Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, Principal of CHUSS, underscored the College’s intentional approach to graduate success. “You are in the mind of an excellent mind,” she said, encouraging students to continue striving for excellence and leadership in their respective fields. The 2025 CHUSS Graduate Symposium served as both a celebration of academic progress and a call to action for scholars to engage in meaningful research that addresses the needs of communities and contributes to national and global development.
The Writer is an Intern in the Public Relations Office, Makerere University
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