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All Set for the Youth and Innovation Expo 2023

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HIGHLIGHTS:

The two-day event will showcase of student innovations, exhibitions of Innovations turned enterprises from the Youth4Business program led by UNDP, and a very comprehensive, insightful, and engaging program curated performances from the school of Performing Arts and Film.

The line-up of activities for the Expo include, exhibitions from all ten (10) colleges of the University and other University institutions, an Art exhibition, a fashion show curated by Axarya Trends and the Margret Trowel School of Fine Art, a medical camp, Food vendor stalls, to mention but a few.

IN DETAIL:

Makerere University and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are elated to announce the Youth and Innovation Expo 2023 held under the theme, “Fostering Innovation for Uganda’s Transformational Development” in an effort to showcase outstanding youth innovations and youth enterprise.

The Youth and Innovation Expo 2023 will be held on 6th and 7th October 2023 from 9:00am to 5:00pm at the Makerere University Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility.

The Youth and Innovation Expo 2023 is being sponsored by MTN Uganda with Start Hub Africa as the curator for all the knowledge sessions in the two-day Expo.

A BRIEF OVERVIEW:

Since its humble beginning in 1922, Makerere University has been able to transform communities and societies through its wealth of human capital, numerous research outcomes and technological innovations that have served Uganda, East Africa, Africa and the world at large. On the 6th and 7th of October 2023, we hope to showcase and exhibit the great strides Makerere and her alumni have taken towards Innovations and Enterprise over the last 100 years.

In 2020, the President of Uganda, H.E President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni launched the Youth4Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Facility (Y4BF). The programme was developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with Stanbic Bank Uganda to address the problem of youth unemployment in Uganda.

The Facility was designed to respond to the effects of COVID-19 and beyond by driving social economic transformation. This facility has been implemented through the combination of innovation, creating jobs and fostering entrepreneurship by supporting access to an integrated mix of finance products, business management skills and market access to young women and men entrepreneurs and youth-owned MSMEs.

Makerere University, being the oldest and biggest University in Uganda, is uniquely positioned to be a hub of many youth innovations through end-of-year course research projects. Together with UNDP, Makerere will showcase a number of youth innovations and youth start-ups which have successfully made the transition from research to commercial enterprises. Through this exhibition, we also hope to create viable forward and backward linkages that will facilitate the creation of jobs and foster entrepreneurship by supporting access to an integrated mix of
finance products, business management skills and market access to young women and men entrepreneurs and youth-owned MSMEs.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

The Youth and Innovation Expo 2023 will bring on board a number of activations from its sponsors, Makerere@100 partners, University Internal and External partners such as MTN Uganda, Stanbic Uganda, Bank of Uganda, Absa Bank, Bank of Uganda, Parliament of Uganda, DFCU Bank, Centenary Group, Standard Chartered Bank to mention but a few.

We have also curated a very engaging program for the two-day Youth and Innovation Expo, the program, directed by Mr. Maurice Mugisha will include an opening ceremony, a panel which will be held under the theme, “Creating opportunities for Uganda’s Young people: Moving from rhetoric to action” and five master classes.

The Master classes which are well curated knowledge sessions aimed at quipping both students and innovators with the necessary skills and hands-on knowledge for the journey of an innovator and the journey to employment for a student.

The Master classes to expect will be held under the following themes;

  1. Youth and Climate action: Opportunities for youth engagement in climate action.
  2. The job market of the future: The skills and innovations needed in an unpredictable world.
  3. Monetizing your innovation: The journey to your 100th customer.
  4. Career paths: The best career path in not always a linear one
  5. Fit for finance: Experiences from unlocking finance for youth enterprise and innovation.

These master classes will all be taking place in the Yusuf Lule, Central Teaching Facility.

The two-day event will consist of a very comprehensive, insightful, and engaging program curated performances from the school of Performing Arts and Film, a showcase of student innovations, exhibitions of Innovations turned enterprises from the Youth4Business program led by UNDP to mention but a few.

The Guest of Honour for the exhibition will be Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament.

The Youth and Innovation Expo 2023, conference program and master classes will broadcast live on all our social media platforms and various media platforms.

Mak Editor

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Applications Open: Short Course in Decision Modelling for Economic Evaluation

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Applications Open for a two-week online short course on Introduction to Decision Modelling for Economic Evaluation by the Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University School of Public Health, through the Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, is accepting applications for a two-week online short course on Introduction to Decision Modelling for Economic Evaluation.

The course will introduce participants to the principles and practical application of decision modelling in economic evaluation, covering Markov modelling, evidence synthesis, model development, validation, sensitivity analysis and interpretation of results to inform policy and resource allocation.

Convened by Dr. Elizabeth Ekirapa, Associate Professor of Health Economics at MakSPH, the course will feature Dr. Joseph Babigumira, Managing Consultant at GHE Consulting, as Guest Lecturer.

The training targets health professionals, researchers, policymakers, students and other individuals interested in applying decision modelling to economic evaluation.

Dates: 9–20 November 2026
Time: 3:00–6:00 PM EAT
Mode: Online via Zoom
Fees: UGX 800,000 (Ugandans) | USD 270 (non-Ugandans)
Application Deadline: 1 November 2026

Apply now: https://t.ly/sKdts

For inquiries:
Ms. Edith Namuleme, Short Course Coordinator
Email: carvell.andy@gmail.com
Tel: +256 759 761 161

John Okeya

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Makerere University and Xiangtan University Advance Strategic Partnership in Chemical Engineering

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Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (C) with Prof. Dingyu Ou (4th R) and R-L: Mr. Fei Tang, Prof. Gilbert Gumoshabe, Prof. Fang Hao, Prof. Zhuoqiong Xia, Ms. Hawa Ndagire Kajumba, Ms. Miao Yang and Ms. Betty Nabisubi after the meeting on 12th October 2026. Visit by a delegation from Xiangtan University headed by Professor Dingyu Ou, in company of Mr. Tang Fei and Professor Gilbert Gumshabe, the Chinese and Ugandan Directors of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University respectively, to update 20-year academic partnership, with new focus on joint Master's degree program in Chemical Engineering 12th October 2026, French Embassy, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University and Xiangtan University are set to update their close to 20-year academic partnership, with a new focus on launching a joint Master’s degree program in Chemical Engineering and expanding student and staff exchange initiatives. 

The commitment was reaffirmed during a recent visit by a delegation from Xiangtan University to Makerere University headed by Professor Dingyu Ou, in the company of Mr. Tang Fei and Professor Gilbert Gumshabe, the Chinese and Ugandan Directors of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University respectively. 

While addressing the delegation, Professor Nawangwe highlighted that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to diversify academic offerings and contribute to national development through training in Chemical Engineering. Through this new initiative, the University will better prepare graduates for the petrochemical industry and support the country’s industrial growth.

The meeting in session. Visit by a delegation from Xiangtan University headed by Professor Dingyu Ou, in company of Mr. Tang Fei and Professor Gilbert Gumshabe, the Chinese and Ugandan Directors of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University respectively, to update 20-year academic partnership, with new focus on joint Master's degree program in Chemical Engineering 12th October 2026, French Embassy, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
The meeting in session.

The Vice Chancellor appreciated that the proposed collaboration aims to address Uganda’s growing need for industrial expertise, particularly as the country develops its petroleum sector. The two universities here are working toward a 1+2 training model, which will enable Makerere students to gain practical experience and access advanced laboratory facilities at Xiangtan University.

Professor Nawangwe further reiterated that “our relationship with the people of China, not just for Makerere but also for a big part of Uganda, has been opened wider by the establishment of the Confucius Institute, considering that many other collaborations like one being discussed now have come through this collaboration.”

The head of the Xiangtan delegation, Professor Dingyu Ou, expressed appreciation for the meeting, and acknowledged the history between the institutions. “As mentioned, we have a very long relationship and a very stable friendship between our two universities.” 

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (L) presents an assortment of Makerere Souvenirs to Prof. Dingyu Ou (R). Visit by a delegation from Xiangtan University headed by Professor Dingyu Ou, in company of Mr. Tang Fei and Professor Gilbert Gumshabe, the Chinese and Ugandan Directors of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University respectively, to update 20-year academic partnership, with new focus on joint Master's degree program in Chemical Engineering 12th October 2026, French Embassy, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (L) presents an assortment of Makerere Souvenirs to Prof. Dingyu Ou (R).

Professor Ou extended appreciation for the support provided to the Confucius Institute at Makerere, the care shown to his colleagues, and looked forward to the successful start of the Chemical Engineering collaboration.

Assuring the delegation of Makerere’s readiness for the collaboration, Ms. Hawa Ndagire Kajumba the Lead, Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement, Makerere University Advancement Office, aligned with the Vice Chancellor’s emphasis of University goal to have both theory and practice imparted to the students. 

She said “the curriculum of the university and Uganda as a whole is moving towards competence-based education training to ensure students are equipped to demonstrate those skills in the actual field, particularly regarding petroleum exploration.” 

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (L) presents an assortment of Makerere Souvenirs to Prof. Zhuoqiong Xia (R). Visit by a delegation from Xiangtan University headed by Professor Dingyu Ou, in company of Mr. Tang Fei and Professor Gilbert Gumshabe, the Chinese and Ugandan Directors of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University respectively, to update 20-year academic partnership, with new focus on joint Master's degree program in Chemical Engineering 12th October 2026, French Embassy, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (L) presents an assortment of Makerere Souvenirs to Prof. Zhuoqiong Xia (R).

Ms. Ndagire Kajumba also emphasised a shift in strategy for the partnership office, saying, “we are moving away from just signing MOUs that collect dust, and moving towards those that are more collaborative to benefit our faculty and students, just like this one.”

Professor Gilbert Kumushabe aligned his remarks with those of the Vice Chancellor and Ms. Ndagire Kajumba, and described the method used at Xiangtan University as “actually competence-based teaching.” 

Based on his recent visit, Prof. Gumoshabe shared that students in China are divided into groups with dedicated teachers to perform practical, hands-on work beyond the theoretical lecturers. He expressed gladness that the same was being adopted for the Ugandan context.

Both institutions are now working to finalise the specific agreements for the joint degree and exchange programs. Beyond academic training, the collaboration will advance cultural and professional exchange.

Elvis Lubanga, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Elvis Lubanga

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Job Opportunities: NETOMA Study

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Kickoff training for teams tasked with collecting data for the Uganda Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (UPHIA) 2024-2025, held 19th May 2025, Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) Auditorium, Main Campus, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University School of Public Health invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for three positions under the Wellcome Trust-supported NETOMA study, which examines the coexistence of health worker shortages and unemployment among qualified health professionals in Africa.

Available Positions

  1. Research Officer
    To coordinate longitudinal research, data management, quality assurance, and statistical analysis across study sites.
    Full details and application: https://sph.mak.ac.ug/careers/?view_job=21465
  2. Policy Scientist
    To undertake health workforce policy research, evidence synthesis, qualitative analysis and knowledge translation.
    Full details and application: https://sph.mak.ac.ug/careers/?view_job=21468
  3. Research Assistants
    To support participant recruitment, field data collection, research documentation, and analysis.
    Full details and application: https://sph.mak.ac.ug/careers/?view_job=21470

Application deadline: Friday, 16 October 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EAT .

Mak Editor

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