General
Two Mak Staff Honored among Best Grants Administrators
The Society of Research Administrators International (SRA International) has unveiled the class of 2023 Future of the Field recipients.
Ms. Stella Kakeeto, a grants manager and Ms. Edna Angelique Karungi, a grants accountant, at Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) were among the 33 individuals selected. They will be formally recognized at SRAI’s Annual Meeting this October in Seattle.
“These individuals represent the most radiant of those rising stars, from all around the US and internationally. We are very proud to have them as our colleagues, mentors, co-workers and friends,” reads in part a statement issued on the SRA International website.
The Future of the Field initiative of SRAI strives to showcase the “up-and-comers” in research administration—those who are influencing the status quo, leading their peers and institutions, and coming up with novel ideas to improve the field.
Gloria W. Greene, President, SRAI said; “The individuals recognized through Future of the Field are some of the best and brightest in our profession.”
The honorees were urged by Greene, who is also the director of contracts and grants at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, to accept their accolades, believe in themselves, and keep working for excellence. “The future is bright, and you are poised to make a remarkable impact in your field!” she said.
Ms. Stella Kakeeto, a grants manager at MakSPH, said she was overjoyed that the work done by grants administrators had been acknowledged.
“I believe in the power of research to transform communities positively. It brings me great joy to contribute towards fostering an empowered research ecosystem,” said Ms. Kakeeto.
At MakSPH, Ms. Kakeeto brings over ten years of invaluable experience in managing donor-funded programs and has actively played a key role in establishing the School’s Grants Office, actively contributing to the development of essential resource documents such as the Grants Procedures Manual and critically needed Standard Operating Procedures.
Currently, she coordinates the MakSPH Seed-Grant Program, where she passionately supports this empowerment program for MakSPH early-career researchers to realize their research aspirations.
In 2020, Ms. Kakeeto and her team received a prestigious grant award from the NIH/NIAID in recognition of their exceptional efforts to boost research-management capacity in the East-African region.
Having entered the field of research administration without prior knowledge, Edna Angelique Karungi, a Grants Accountant at MakSPH embraced the challenge and utilized her accounting background to excel as an assistant accountant in post-award management.
“Within three years, my commitment resulted in a promotion to Accountant, where I now fully execute the finance function for research awards, a milestone that fills me with pride,” she says.
In her ten years of experience, Kalungi oversees grant budgets and expenditures, tracks and ensures compliance with award agencies such as USAID, NIHR, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and UN funding Agencies.
“I am eager to venture into pre-award management, enhance post-award processes, explore new funding opportunities, and contribute to research administration’s advancement through innovation. My passion for this field keeps on growing,” she says.
The duo was selected by a committee of Research Administrator peers, after the program received well over 100 nominations from around the globe. Applications were evaluated based on candidates’ career history, demonstration of exceptional professional growth, and significant contributions made to the advancement of Research Administration.
The Society of Research Administrators International (SRA International) is the leading international organization for research management, offering professionals from more than 40 nations training, professional development, and the most up-to-date, complete information on research management.
Today, SRA International maintains the largest network of research managers in the world in this era of expanding global research collaborations. Being a part of this expanding, active network gives you access to the shifting environment of research management and promotes connections across working institutions.
See details;
https://www.srainternational.org/get-involved/future-field/future-field-honorees
The Board Chairperson of the Makerere University Endowment Fund (MakEF), Dr. Margaret Blick Kigozi, has urged graduands in Health and Life Sciences to uphold professional ethics and serve humanity with diligence and compassion.
Her appeal came during the passing out of graduates from the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-Security (CoVAB), the College of Health Sciences (CHS) and the School of Public Health (SPH) on Day Two of the 76th Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University.
“Class of 2026, you are now part of the Makerere legacy. Wherever you go clinics, laboratories, farms, boardrooms, or classrooms, you carry this institution with you. Serve your patients with skill and compassion. Care for animals and communities responsibly. Question boldly and keep learning,” Dr Kigozi, said.
Delivering the commencement address, Dr. Kigozi lauded the graduates for their dedication to careers that directly impact lives and communities. She encouraged them to use their knowledge generously and exercise their power gently.
“Your education has trained you to ask better questions. Your humanity must guide the answers. Never forget that behind every chart, every case, every animal, every experiment, there is life. And life deserves care, patience, and dignity. Give every person you come in contact with care, patience and dignity,” Dr Kigozi, noted.
As the graduates embark on their professional journeys, Dr. Kigozi emphasized the importance of cultivating basic business acumen and financial literacy to ensure sustainability in their work.
“You do not need to become accountants but you must be able to read the essentials: understand simple financial statements, budgets and key metrics so you can judge whether a clinic, lab, or program is sustainable. You are encouraged to start your business. There are numerous investment opportunities in your areas of training. You can provide services to our people and create jobs,” Dr Kigozi, said.
She shared candidly how, when she first stepped into leadership, she realised she did not understand balance sheets or budgets well enough. So, she returned to Makerere for short courses to strengthen herself.
“A well-run Hospital, clinic or lab delivers better outcomes, attracts staff, and secures funding. Business savvy is not only about profit, it’s about sustainability and the freedom to serve ethically and effectively. Carry clinical skill with business sense so your work endures and grows,” Dr. Kigozi, noted.
Quoting renowned writer and producer Shonda Rhimes, creator of Grey’s Anatomy, who once reflected that succeeding in one area of life can sometimes mean falling short in another, Dr. Kigozi encouraged women graduates to intentionally balance professional ambition with family responsibilities.
“When one area thrives, another is often under strain. When Navio was graduating from school I had to manage the Presidential Investor Round Table on the same day as Executive Director Uganda Investment Authority. I chose my job and delegated his siblings to attend Navios graduation. I learnt from this. I choose family always after that thing you achieve once and keep forever,” Dr Kigozi, said.
In his speech, the Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor, informed the congregation that Makerere’s ranking on all university ranking platforms has remained stable, placing Makerere among the top 10 African universities and within the top 4.5% globally.
“In the Times Higher Education global ranking, Makerere University made a formidable jump from the 1200-1500 bracket to the 800-1000 bracket. This was no mean achievement and I congratulate all members of the Makerere Community on this stellar performance,” Prof Nawangwe, said.
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