Business & Management
CoBAMS Management meets to discuss College’s strategic direction
Members of the College Establishment and Appointments Committee and the College Administrative Board have taken off time to strategize on how to grow the college. Speaking on October 19 during the two-day retreat, the Principal, Prof. Eria Hisali, shared with the management team some of the ongoing strategic initiatives in the areas of financial sustainability, human capacity development, policy engagements and outreach, quality assurance, institutionalizing seminar series, and partnerships and networks. ´Infrastructure expansion, Quality assurance and systems strengthening.
The Principal said the college had established an endowment fund to support its financial sustainability efforts. He also highlighted the importance of investing in the professional development of staff members to enhance human capacity within the college. Additionally, the Principal emphasized the need for active engagement with relevant policies and stakeholders to promote the college’s outreach and policy influence. Lastly, he emphasized the significance of building strong partnerships and networks with other institutions and organizations to foster collaboration and mutual growth.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Umar Kakumba, commended the college on recent developments and ongoing initiatives in the areas of planned infrastructure expansion, financial sustainability, research, and visibility.
“I understand that the publication record at the College has improved considerably from around 30 in 2014 publications annually to over 130 for the year 2022; and that the proposal to expand and revamp infrastructure has been approved by government,” he said.
He also acknowledged the college’s efforts in achieving financial sustainability, which have allowed for the successful implementation of various research projects. Furthermore, Prof. Umar Kakumba expressed his optimism about the increased visibility of the college, both nationally and internationally, as a result of these developments and initiatives.
I am particularly impressed by attempts to benchmark the academic disciplines at the College with the scope defined by international best practice in addition to initiatives to mainstream quality across the academic, administrate and support functions of the College as a precursor for international accreditation.
He commended the college for seeking to internationalize the courses through international accreditation. He also praised the college for its efforts in aligning its academic disciplines with global standards, which will not only enhance the quality of education but also open up opportunities for students to pursue international careers. Furthermore, he acknowledged the significance of international accreditation in ensuring that the college meets the rigorous standards set by renowned institutions worldwide.
The retreat saw heads of departments share their human resources needs and discuss strategies for attracting and retaining top talent. They emphasized the importance of hiring qualified faculty members who can contribute to the college’s mission of providing a well-rounded education. Additionally, they discussed the need for ongoing professional development opportunities to ensure that faculty members stay updated with the latest teaching methodologies and advancements in their respective fields. Prof. Kakumba called on the different schools to support various government authorities, saying data has become a critical tool of development, so the School of Statistics should tap into this need.
He pledged University Management’s commitment to support the college initiatives.
The University Secretary, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda, cautioned the management of the college about staff recruitment. The said staff recruitments have to be made within the available resources and staff must qualify for the promotions.
He called on the college management to make recommendations to the University Management that fit within the university structures and policies. Mr. Yusuf Kiranda emphasized the importance of aligning staff recruitment with the college’s available resources to maintain financial stability. He also stressed the need for staff to meet the necessary qualifications for promotions, ensuring that the university’s standards and policies are upheld.
He called on staff to embrace the ongoing data capture for the biometrics system. This would help streamline administrative processes and enhance security measures within the university. Additionally, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda highlighted the significance of staff training and development programs to ensure continuous improvement and professional growth among the university’s workforce. At the end of the two days, the management team agreed that the college needs to tighten the supervision of staff and systems, increase accountability, strengthen workflow processes, and create baseline indicators for quality assurance.
Staff members from the Department of Population Studies, within the School of Statistics and Planning at Makerere University, have successfully completed a comprehensive three-day training on Doctoral Supervision. The training, held from June 28 to June 30, 2024, was meticulously conducted by esteemed faculty from the College of Education and External Studies, alongside experts from the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training.
The initiative, aimed at enhancing the supervisory skills of doctoral advisors, underscores Makerere University‘s commitment to academic excellence and robust research mentorship. The Deputy Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences, Prof. James Wokadala, officiated the closing ceremony, commending the participants for their dedication and active engagement throughout the training sessions.
“We are committed to fostering a supportive and rigorous research environment for our doctoral candidates. This training is a testament to our dedication to academic excellence and effective mentorship,” remarked Prof. Wokadala in his closing address.
He said the college has got plans to improve PhD graduation levels, some of which include appointing two PhD coordinators per school. He asked the staff to exhibit high ethical standards while supervising the students.
The training program was generously funded by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation, secured by Dr. Patricia Ndugga. The grant facilitated a series of interactive workshops, case studies, and collaborative discussions, designed to equip the faculty with advanced supervisory techniques and strategies to support doctoral students effectively.
Dr. Patricia Ndugga expressed her gratitude for the support, stating, “This training is a significant step towards enhancing the quality of doctoral supervision at Makerere University. We are grateful to the Carnegie Corporation for their continued support in our quest to improve research training and mentorship.”
The participants, who included both seasoned and emerging academic staff, have expressed their enthusiasm for applying the new skills and knowledge gained to their supervisory roles, thereby enriching the academic journey of their doctoral students.
Makerere University remains steadfast in its mission to provide top-tier education and research training, continuously seeking avenues to enhance the capabilities of its faculty and the academic experience of its students.
In a key gathering at College of Business and Management Sciences’ School of Economics, stakeholders from diverse sectors convened yesterday (June 20, 24) to envision the future of economic education in Uganda. The occasion centered around the unveiling of the proposed Bachelor of Science in Development Economics, a program poised to reshape how economic challenges are addressed and opportunities harnessed in the country.
Among the esteemed speakers were Prof. Edward Bbaale, Principal of the college, and Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, Dean of the School of Economics, whose shared enthusiasm for the new program underscored its potential impact. “This initiative aligns seamlessly with Uganda’s Development Goal Vision 2030 and the National Development Plan III (NDPIII),” Prof. Bbaale remarked. “Our aim is to empower students with the knowledge and skills to drive sustainable development across the nation.”
“Our aim is not only to contribute to the development of Uganda but also to impact the wider African region and beyond,” Prof. Bbaale said.
Development Economics, as emphasized by Prof. Okumu, represents a fusion of economic theory and practical application aimed at fostering inclusive growth and poverty reduction. “This program,” he explained, “is not just about classroom learning; it’s about preparing future economists to engage directly with real-world challenges and policy-making processes.”
With an emphasis on research-led teaching and innovative approaches to economic analysis, the Bachelor of Science in Development Economics aims to position graduates as thought leaders capable of driving sustainable economic growth and development.
The workshop provided a dynamic forum for stakeholders from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, as well as representatives from KCCA, CHUSS, CONAS, URA, and the private sector, to offer valuable insights. Discussions centered on curriculum design, industry relevance, and collaborative opportunities, reflecting a shared commitment to equipping graduates with the skills demanded by today’s economy.
“The Ministry of Finance recognizes the pivotal role of this program in advancing Uganda’s economic agenda,” noted a representative during the workshop. “By focusing on development economics, we are fostering a cadre of professionals capable of driving innovation and sustainable growth.”
From the private sector, there was a clear call for graduates who possess not only theoretical knowledge but also practical experience. “We look forward to collaborating with the School of Economics to ensure that students gain hands-on skills that are directly applicable to our evolving business landscape,” remarked a representative from a leading industry player.
Looking forward, the School of Economics aims to integrate stakeholder feedback into finalizing the program’s curriculum and securing necessary accreditation. With an emphasis on research and policy analysis, the Bachelor of Science in Development Economics aims to prepare graduates to become catalysts for change, equipped to navigate Uganda’s economic complexities.
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