The Project led by Assoc. Prof. David Katamba from Makerere University Business School (MUBS) aims to address quality assurance problems/gaps encountered by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) during masters’ research processes. The project team has developed an E-Supervision Web Portal (https://mastersresearch.ug/) to track Masters Research supervision processes. It is funded by the EU under Erasmus projects for the period 2023-2026.
Dr. John Mary Kiberu presenting an overview of the project during the stakeholders’ engagement. He is the Coordinator of the project at Makerere University.
Why the project
The outbreak of COVID19 and the subsequent measures taken to curb the spread of the pandemic, including prolonged lockdowns and limitations to physical contact, aggravated the already existing problems faced by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Uganda, specifically, the deteriorating quality of the masters’ research processes. Over 20,000 masters’ students who must undertake a supervised research project could not access their supervisors, a factor that greatly compromised the quality of their work.
Prof. Edward Bbaale, Director, DRGT at Makerere University commended the project as a great initiative that will strengthen research and graduate training at the University.
Issues the project intends to address
Through a project titled, “Strengthening Capacity for ICT Usage and Policy Reforms for Relevant and Quality Masters Research Process Management in Uganda’s HEIs (ICT-4MRPQ)”, Makerere University Business School (MUBS) in partnership with Makerere University and other HEIs intends to address quality assurance problems/gaps encountered by HEIs during masters’ research processes. These include; absence of student-supervisor interaction records management, increased redundancies in supervisor-student skills transfer, research turn-around time redundancy, decreased transparency in conducting viva-voce, and duplication of research outputs/plagiarism. This will specifically be achieved through several objectives including; 1) Updating the Research Process Quality Management Policies and Guidelines (at national level – NCHE; and at university level) in the context of master’s students’ research, 2) Increasing the capacity of Uganda’s NCHE and HEIs to participate in the definition, implementation and monitoring of master’s research policy reforms necessary for setting up a national common master’s student research agenda, 3) Documenting critical aspects of the master’s student research journey, and 4) Building capacity in the use of ICT as a digital skill inclusion mechanism which can reduce various forms of discrimination against women/girls.
Prof. Edward Bbaale addressing participants.
The Project is led by Assoc. Prof. David Katamba from MUBS. At Makerere University, the project is coordinated by Dr John Mary Kiberu from the Department of Geology & Petroleum studies. Other project members at Makerere University are; Dr Karidewa Nyeinga from the Department of Physics; Dr Denis Okello, Head, Department of Physics; Dr Godfrey Mayende from the Institute of Open and Distance Learning; Dr Caroline Asiimwe, formerly at the Department of Languages, CHUSS; and Ms. Joan Nakajigo from the Department of Geology & Petroleum studies. Other partner institutions include; Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Stichting Vu, Kyazze, Kankaka & Co Advocates, Uganda Chapter for Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives (UCCSRI), Universidade De Lisboa, and Uganda National Council for Higher Education.
The Deputy Principal of CoNAS, Prof. Juma Kasozi made several recommendations for improving the E-supervision Web Portal.
Achievements
The project has registered several milestones including the development of an E-Supervision Web Portal (https://mastersresearch.ug/) to track Masters Research supervision processes in Higher Education Institutions in Uganda.
Makerere University staff from CoNAS, Dr. Michael Owor, Dean School of Physical Sciences (R) and Dr. Denis Okello, Head, Department of Physics (L) during the workshop.
Stakeholders’ Engagement
On 27th June 2023, the Project team held a Stakeholders’ engagement at Senate Building, Makerere University to introduce and receive feedback on the E-supervision platform. The Web Portal was developed by ICT specialists led by Dr Shakirah Nagujja, Head, E-Learning Centre at MUBS.
Staff from the Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS), Makerere University participated in the workshop.
In his remarks, the Director, Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT) at Makerere University, Prof. Edward Bbaale commended the project team for the initiative, explaining that it will contribute to strengthening graduate training at Makerere University as one of the cornerstones for achieving the research-led agenda. “As Makerere works towards becoming a research-led University, with over 30% graduate students by 2030, we need to ensure our research and training processes are made efficient, and this is one of the factors the project is trying to address. The project rhymes well with the mandate of DRGT and will greatly improve research administration at Makerere,” he noted, calling for interconnectedness of online systems and the involvement of DRGT in the different processes of the project.
The Deputy Principal of CoNAS, Prof. Juma Kasozi equally appreciated the project team for the initiative and made a number of recommendations for improvement of the E-supervision platform. Similarly, participants including representatives from the Directorate of ICT at Makerere made several recommendations for improving the platform.
The Project Leader, Assoc. Prof. David Katamba participated virtually.
The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is pleased to announce the 3rd U.S.-Africa Frontiers of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Symposium in partnership with and hosted by the Republic of Rwanda. The upcoming meeting will be held on February 18-20, 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda. The application is now open for scientists, engineers, and medical professionals from the United States and African Union member countries to submit their application online before the deadline of July 7, 2024, 11:59 PMET (Washington D.C. time).
This program brings together outstanding early/mid-career scientists, engineers, and medical professionals (within 15 years of most recent degree), from the United States and the member countries of the African Union for a series of symposia to discuss exciting advances and opportunities in their fields. The goal of these meetings is to enhance scientific exchange and dialogue among early-to-middle career researchers in African countries and the United States, including the African science diaspora, and through this interaction facilitate research collaboration within and beyond the region. Another unique aspect of the Frontiers events is the pluri-disciplinarity of the participants’ backgrounds and research interests.
One of the main objectives of this Frontiers symposium is to advance our understanding of cutting-edge S&T trends in the U.S. and Africa and to foster dialogue and collaborations across disciplines. The upcoming symposium will address the following topics:
Session I: New Solutions for Decarbonization
Session II: Biotechnology
Session III: Precision Agriculture
Session IV: Advances in Space Research
Session V: Smart and Connected Cities
We encourage early-career scientists, engineers and medical professionals working on related research to apply to this multidisciplinary meeting, as long as they fulfill the eligibility criteria. Each general participant will also have the opportunity to present their research during poster sessions. Travel of selected participants will be covered. More details on the symposium, organization, and program can be found on the symposium webpage.
Please submit your application online by 11:59 PM ET on July 7, 2024. For more information on the U.S.-Africa Frontiers Program, please visit our program website. Please email USAfricaSTEM@nas.edu with any questions.
Mobility for Clean Energy Solutions to promote energy independence and environmental well-being through collaboration and innovation, addressing climate challenges across Africa.
Background:
Africa, a continent brimming with potential, faces a critical challenge: ensuring energy access and tackling climate change. Over 50% of its population lacks electricity, and relying on unsustainable practices threatens their health and the environment. Yet, Africa possesses a wealth of untapped renewable resources – a golden key to unlocking a brighter future. The Homegrown Clean Energy (HCE) Solutions Project steps in to address these challenges with a vision driven by African ingenuity. We are empowering universities, the private sector, and local communities to develop clean energy solutions tailored to their specific needs.
The objectives of Homegrown Clean Energy:
Promote the development of Homegrown Clean Energy (HCE) solutions for underrepresented communities.
Facilitate knowledge sharing and technology transfer among participating institutions.
Enhance entrepreneurship skills in clean energy solutions for climate change adaptation and mitigation in Africa.
Promote gender equality and social inclusion in clean energy solutions.
Participating Institutions:
Federal University of Technology Minna (FUTMIN), Nigeria
Makerere University is pleased to announce a vacancy for the position of Assistant Administrative Officer (REC Administrator) within the School of Biomedical Sciences Research Ethics Committee (MakSBSREC). This is an excellent opportunity for qualified individuals to contribute to the ethical oversight of research involving human participants.
Duration: 1 Year, renewable upon satisfactory performance
Duty Station: Kampala
Qualifications, Desired Skills, and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences and Humanities, Medicine and Surgery, Ethics and Human Rights, or any related field.
Master’s degree in Bioethics (an added advantage).
Up-to-date training in Human Subject Protection or Good Clinical Practice.
Proficiency in English (both spoken and written).
Prior experience in regulatory work in research studies or projects.
Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and meet deadlines.
How to Apply:
Qualified and interested candidates are invited to submit a soft copy of their application documents and a motivation letter to deansbs.chs@mak.ac.ug with the subject line “Application for the position of Assistant Administrative Officer (REC Administrator)”. Address your application to the Dean, School of Biomedical Sciences.
Deadline for submission: July 2, 2024, by 5:00 pm Ugandan time.
Please provide a reliable 24-hour phone contact. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.