Natural Sciences
Mak honours Prof. Leif Abrahamsson for his Contribution to the Development of Mathematics in E.A.
Makerere University has honored Prof. Leif Abrahamsson, for his contribution to the development of Mathematics in the East African region.
This was during the opening ceremony of the four-day Joint African-Nordic conference in Mathematics, an event organized to share research findings and take stock of the Nordic support for Mathematics in the region in the past two decades. The conference taking place at Makerere University started on Tuesday, 1st August and will end on Friday 4th August, 2023.
Prof. Abrahamsson, from the Department of Mathematics, Uppsala University started the network of Eastern African Universities Mathematics Program (EAUMP) to improve the state of mathematics, through Masters and PhD training. After setting up the network, mathematics became one of the International Science Programme (ISP)’s core programs.
Because of Prof Abrahamson’s efforts, to date, ISP support to Mathematics in the region ranges from visible capacity built at PhD, Masters and Postdoc levels.
In his remarks, Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, noted that Prof. Abrahamsson’s project to support Mathematics in the region has lived up to its expectations and even gone beyond what was projected, including providing support to research groups and women networks in basic sciences.
“As part of establishing the everlasting memories of Prof. Abrahamsson, Makerere University will establish the Leif Abrahamsson permanent chair for supporting Mathematics in the Eastern Africa Region. To solicit for funding to support the region in Mathematics you need to use the name ‘Leif Abrahamsson’ to permanently get support for Mathematics,” Prof. Nawangwe said.
Prof. Nawangwe noted that the ‘Leif Abrahamsson’ Chair should target to raise at least $500,000 per year to support Mathematics in the region.
During the event, Science, Technology, and Innovations Minister, Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza, called upon Mathematicians to make mathematics speak to people. “Mathematics is the only subject that lies at the centre of any career choice, but most people do not understand it, that is why they treat it as just an academic subject and that affects development. If we are to have our economy grow, we have to appreciate mathematics,” Hon. Musenero said.
Speaking during the event, Prof. John Mango from the Department of Mathematics at Makerere University, thanked the Nordic taxpayers for supporting Makerere University.
“Makerere University and the regional Universities have enjoyed and continue to benefit from the generosity of the Royal Governments of Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark in the areas of human resources capacity building, research, library services, technology and infrastructural development,” he said.
Prof. Mango noted the twenty years support by Nordic countries has made mathematics reach a higher recognition in the region and more research groups have been created and this has led to joint research projects. Countries in the attendance of the Mathematics Conference include; Austria, Botswana, Denmark, Ethiopia, Hungary, Kenya, Namibia, Norway, Rwanda, South Africa, Sweden, Tanzania, Germany, USA, Zambia and hosts Uganda.
Natural Sciences
Mak Paves Path to Biodiversity Leadership: Inaugural ABS Project Workshop Strengthening Uganda’s Nagoya Protocol Capacity
By Laban Lwasa
In a groundbreaking event that unfolded at Makerere University‘s Telepresence Center on November 7, 2023, the Inception Workshop for the ABS Project took center stage, hosted by the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology, and Biotechnology. Prof. Tumps Ireeta, Principal of CoNAS, set the tone with a warm welcome, highlighting Uganda’s rich biodiversity and the pivotal role of the Nagoya Protocol in ensuring the legal utilization of genetic resources. The collaboration between NEMA and Makerere University, supported by the GEF, aims to equip professionals with ABS knowledge and position Makerere at the forefront of Nagoya Protocol compliance.
Prof. Arthur Kajungu Tugume, Dean of the School of Biosciences, emphasized the project’s significance in institutional capacity strengthening for the Nagoya Protocol’s implementation in Uganda, showcasing the School of Biosciences as a hub for genetic resource research and training. The pilot project, in collaboration with NEMA, GEF, and UNEP, aims to expand countrywide and potentially across the African continent. It seeks to empower a skilled workforce informed on ABS issues, contributing to economic development and poverty eradication as aligned with SDG 1.
Mr. Achuu Peter, Project Manager from NEMA, highlighted Uganda’s extraordinary biodiversity and the need to explore the benefits of genetic resources for medicines, food, and more. He emphasized the importance of the Nagoya Protocol in mitigating biodiversity loss and highlighted challenges faced by Uganda in terms of weak institutional capacity, inadequate policies, and lack of coordination for ABS. The project focuses on strengthening ABS frameworks, capacity building, community-level management, and raising awareness to ensure equitable benefits from genetic resource utilization.
Mr. Daniel Abowe, UNCST ABS Project Officer, shed light on the complex landscape of national ABS laws in Uganda, resulting in legal complexity and high transaction costs for users. He also detailed the Uganda research approval process, emphasizing UNCST’s role in ABS implementation, which includes issuing access permits and ensuring benefit-sharing agreements. The multifaceted project aims to align Uganda with the Nagoya Protocol’s goals and foster collaboration between higher institutions and local communities for the management of genetic resources.
Dr. Katuura Esther, the Project Principal Investigator at Makerere University, highlighted the institution’s pivotal role in training and research. Makerere University aspires to be a thought leader, committed to providing transformative teaching, learning, research, and services that cater to dynamic national and global needs. The institution’s strategic goals encompass leadership in high-quality programs, knowledge dissemination, research, scholarship promotion, and corporate social responsibility. Dr. Esther also addressed the challenges and opportunities in preserving indigenous knowledge, emphasizing the role of digital technologies and collaboration between research institutions and local communities.
The programs designated for updating at Makerere University are a comprehensive effort to align with the Nagoya Protocol. Notable among these programs are BSc Applied and Economic Botany, BSc in Conservation Biology, Bachelor of Biotechnology, Masters in Botany, Masters in Genetics, Masters in Plant Pathology and Crop Science, and Masters in Economic Botany. This holistic approach aims to contribute to the conservation and equitable utilization of genetic resources.
Dr. Cyprian Misinde, the Director of Quality Assurance at Makerere University, emphasized the importance of incorporating international and global standards into the academic curriculum. He underscored the crucial role of projects like ABS in enhancing the capacity of professionals and equipping them to become part of a globally competitive workforce. This workshop marked a significant stride in Uganda’s journey towards sustainable biodiversity management and conservation, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond its borders, leaving a lasting impact on the world stage.
Laban Lwasa is the Senior Administrative Assistant, Makerere University, Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU)
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