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Call for Proposals: Enhancing Youth Skills Development through Higher Technical Education

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1. Background

By 2050, the African youth population is estimated to reach 1.1 billion (1 in 10 of all people on the planet)1. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are mandated to impart skills to the youth that are relevant to the employment market. However, not all youth are able to join the HEIs due to various reasons including their limited financial capacity, poor academic performance at lower levels, and high competition at the joining stage. For instance, whereas the eligible population to study in HEIs in 2019/2020 grew by about 3.1% according to Uganda’s population growth estimates, the overall enrolment declined by 3.8%2.

Elaborated as one of the five flagship programmes of UNESCO Operational Strategy for Priority Africa 2022-2029)3, the overall objective of the Campus Africa Flagship Programme is to build integrated, inclusive, and quality tertiary education systems and institutions, for the development of inclusive and equitable societies in the Continent. The Programme is implemented along three interrelated main lines of action (MLAs) through which UNESCO jointly with its partners will strengthen and enhance equity and quality of higher education systems, connect Africa’s tertiary education systems, institutions, researchers, and communities, and promote mobility and employability of higher education students.

“Campus Africa” activities will promote all SDGs and more specifically SDG 4, 8 and 9. In particular, synergies are to be sought with United Nations agencies, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCF) and development partners’ initiatives supporting SDG 4.3 – by 2030 ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university.

2. Objectives of the Study on Enhancing Youth Skills Development through Higher Technical Education

To achieve the Campus Africa objective, UNESCO is working with its networks and partners to pool expertise and resources and ensure synergies in action and sustainable impact. To this end, UNESCO is collaborating with the Makerere University within the framework of the Campus Africa flagship with the objective to propose relevant operational initiatives, which address challenges of access and quality of higher education, and higher technical education in particular. More specifically, work shall be conducted in relation to Campus Africa Main Line of Action (MLA) 2, Workstream 2.1 which focuses on strengthening higher technical education to respond to national skill needs for development, by enhancing labor market oriented teaching and competency-based learning; and also to Campus Africa Main Line of Action 1 on improving the research capacity of African tertiary institutions and increasing research outcomes with effective networking.

This assignment therefore is to conduct an analytical study on the gaps, challenges, and opportunities for enhancing youth skills development through higher technical education, leveraging government-industry-university linkages, and identifying enablers and success factors – funding; curricula; collaboration and networking, etc. and propose the way to address these challenges.

The study is to have an inclusive approach, with gender, country, and regional balance where relevant – with a focus on Eastern Africa. It should target perspectives from stakeholders of higher education in Eastern Africa, in particular, from governments (ministries responsible for higher and tertiary education), higher education institutions, development partners, quality assurance council/agencies, NGOs, funding agencies, private sector associations and employers, and relevant institutions, including UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs, as well as students and graduates, as related to the content of the work.

3. Scope of the study

The scope of study will include the following:

  1. Conduct an analytical study to generate information on the gaps, challenges, and opportunities
    for enhancing youth skills development through higher technical education
  2. Engage with key stakeholders of higher education, particularly in Eastern Africa, to obtain
    information to complement the analytical study
  3. Identify opportunities for leveraging government-industry-university linkages as well as enablers
    and success factors for enhancing youth skills development through higher technical education
  4. Develop recommendations for enhancing youth skills development through higher technical
    education, upholding the principles of inclusiveness, relevance and gender equality

The study team/individual is expected to propose the best approaches for undertaking this analytical study. The proposal should detail the methodology proposed and all the costs associated with conducting the study.

4. Key Deliverables

The key deliverables will include:

  1. Inception report: detailing the methodology including the main research methods, the sampling framework, proposed sources of data, procedures for data collection and analysis, and a draft but detailed table of contents. The proposed research tools will be discussed by the UNESCO Campus Africa/CFIT III Makerere Team before study commences.
  2. Revised first Draft Final Report, incorporating suggestions and recommendations from a reference group. A second round of revision may be required before the final version of the Final Report can be produced.
  3. A final report (one electronic copy in PDF Format and one in WORD format) with key findings and recommendations.
  4. An electronic copy of all data collection tools and the analytical study data set
  5. A final presentation of the overall findings to stakeholders for validation

5. Duration of the study

The final report of the analytical study is due by Friday 22 September 2023. The duty station is Makerere University as it is expected that capacity for such studies is available.

6. Qualifications and Expertise

  • Post-graduate degree in engineering, economics, statistics, social sciences, education, or related field
  • Demonstrable experience in conducting analytical studies – particularly in the context of youth skills development
  • Good knowledge of Eastern Africa’s economy and relevant institutional frameworks
  • Ability to interpret results and provide practical recommendations
  • A good understanding of English language with excellent communication and report writing skills

7. How to Apply

Study teams or individuals interested in this opportunity should provide the following:

  • A technical proposal with detailed response to these terms of reference, with specific focus on the scope of work, methodology to be used and draft list of key stakeholders to be engaged
  • Initial high level work plan based on an outlined methodology and indication of availability to undertake the tasks within the specified timeframe
  • A financial proposal including a detailed budget breakdown for the different tasks in each specified work package

Applications should be sent via email to cedat.soe@mak.ac.ug by Thursday 17 August 2023.

Mak Editor

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End of Semester Memo for Academic Year 2024/2025

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Africa, one of three On-Campus Halls of Residence for ladies, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.

All Resident Students

1. Congratulatory Message

On behalf of Makerere University Management, I congratulate and thank you for the successful completion of Semester Two: 2024/2025.

2.End of the Second Semester

The second Semester holiday break will begin on 17th May, 2025 up to Saturday 9th August, 2025.

3. Resident Students

All resident students are expected to vacate the Halls of Residence by mid-day on Saturday, 17th May, 2025.

4. University Property

Please hand over all University property in your possession (such as: room keys, Sports & Games equipment, College property etc) before you leave the Hall of Residence.

5. Security of personal property

Please make sure that you carry with you all your property.

Dean of Students
Makerere University

Mark Wamai

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Inter-college Debate 2025 Seeks to Nurture Confident, Articulate, and Visionary Leaders

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Winners of the Inter-college debates Daphine Kemigisha and Jibiril Ssekandi (School of Law) pose for a photo with debaters and the GRCs of the Debate Union. Organised by the Makerere Debating Union – a student-led initiative, the Inter-college Debate Tournament was held on 11th and 12th April 2025 with a vision to leave no student behind by nurturing a community of confident, articulate, and visionary leaders who will drive positive change in society. Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Organised by the Makerere Debating Union – a student-led initiative, the Inter-college Debate Tournament was held on 11th and 12th April 2025 with a vision to leave no student behind by nurturing a community of confident, articulate, and visionary leaders who will drive positive change in society. The tournament was held in three preliminary rounds, followed by semi-finals and a grand finale.

The first round covered democracy and youth participation in politics, while the second round covered inequality and wealth distribution, and the third, the ban on export of raw materials. The semi-final round debated apprenticeship for blue-collar jobs, while the grand finale debated national budget allocations for healthcare and education. In the spirit of inclusivity, all colleges, including the Jinja Campus participated in the tournament.

One of the preliminary rounds in session at Lumumba Hall. Organised by the Makerere Debating Union – a student-led initiative, the Inter-college Debate Tournament was held on 11th and 12th April 2025 with a vision to leave no student behind by nurturing a community of confident, articulate, and visionary leaders who will drive positive change in society. Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
One of the preliminary rounds in session at Lumumba Hall.

Commenting on the choice of topics, the organisers noted Makerere University as a bastion of academic excellence has a profound responsibility to cultivate the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of our nation. These leaders, they added, ought to be equipped with 21st century skills of self-expression, critical thinking, and problem-solving so as to navigate the complexities of an ever-evolving world.

On the whole, Makerere Inter-college Debates were conceived as a strategic initiative to foster a culture of intellectual curiosity, creativity, and innovation. The Debating Union aims to empower the future leaders by providing a platform for students to engage in respectful discourse, articulate their thoughts, as well as develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Daphine Kemigisha submitting at the debate grand finale. Organised by the Makerere Debating Union – a student-led initiative, the Inter-college Debate Tournament was held on 11th and 12th April 2025 with a vision to leave no student behind by nurturing a community of confident, articulate, and visionary leaders who will drive positive change in society. Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Daphine Kemigisha submitting at the debate grand finale.

Furthermore, the Debates serve as a platform for not only honing the intellectual prowess of students but also cultivating leadership skills, teamwork, and communication abilities that are essential for success in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. It is envisaged that this initiative will have a lasting impact on the lives of students, by exposing them to debates on topical issues that can shape the mindsets of transformative leaders our nation needs.

After a thrilling two days of debate, Daphine Kemigisha and Jibril Ssekandi from the School of Law (SoL) emerged as winners of the Makerere University Inter-college Debate Tournament 2025, while Olara Emmanuel George from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB) was the Public Speech Champion, and Namujuzi Martha Mociita from the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) was the Poetry Champion.

Debate Winners; Daphine Kemigisha (Right) and Jibril Sekandi (Left) from the School of Law (SoL). Organised by the Makerere Debating Union – a student-led initiative, the Inter-college Debate Tournament was held on 11th and 12th April 2025 with a vision to leave no student behind by nurturing a community of confident, articulate, and visionary leaders who will drive positive change in society. Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Debate Winners; Daphine Kemigisha (Right) and Jibril Sekandi (Left) from the School of Law (SoL).

The 2025 Tournament was organized by Mayanja Owen and Nkalubo Oprah – 91st Guild Representative Councils (GRCs) of the Debate Union, Akatwijuka Arthur – Chairperson Debate Union, and Debate Union Representatives from colleges. The Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGOF) partnered with the Debate Union to deliver the 2025 edition.

Addressing students at the award ceremony, UNNGOF’s Mr. Derrick Baluuku encouraged the youth to step out of their comfort zones and think of solutions to inspire change in their communities.

Mak Editor

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Accommodation during the Recess Term: 2024/2025

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A section of the renovated Lumumba Hall. Date taken: 26th July 2024. Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

All Students
Makerere University

This is to inform you that the Recess Term for this Academic Year 2024/2025 will commence from 17th May to 26th July, 2025 and the following accommodation arrangements have been made for you.

  1. Male students from Livingstone Hall shall be accommodated at Mitchell Hall, while students from Nkrumah and Nsibirwa Halls of Residence shall be accommodated at University Hall.
  2. Female students shall be accommodated at Lumumba Hall.
  3. Students from the College of Health Sciences who were allocated accommodation space for the Academic Year 2025/2026 at Galloway House are expected to take it up at the
    start of recess while those from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences with recess at Kabanyolo Agricultural site shall be accommodated at Kabanyolo Hostel.
  4. Private students who would like to reside in Halls of Residence are required to pay a fee
    of UGX176,500/=(one hundred seventy six thousand, five hundred shillings only) using a PRN to the bank for the ten-week duration upon confirming availability of space for accommodation.

By copy of this letter, all Wardens are requested to make the necessary arrangements to ensure a smooth transition.

Rodney Rugyema (PhD)
AG. DEAN OF STUDENTS

Mak Editor

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