General
Mak-CAU Discuss Agricultural & Rural Transformation Collaboration
A delegation from China Agricultural University (CAU) led by the President Prof. Sin Qixin on Friday 24th November 2023 visited Makerere University as part of CAU’s mission to broaden international relations. The delegation was received by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Prof. Henry Alinaitwe and members of Management.
Prof. Alinaitwe welcomed and thanked Prof. Qixin and his delegation for fulfilling their promise to visit Makerere when the parties met at the 2023 World Agrifood Innovation Conference held in Beijing, from 2nd to 4th November, 2023. He acknowledged that Uganda had a lot to learn from China in terms of advancements in agriculture as showcased at the Conference, and welcomed the visit as an opportunity to work on a framework for close collaboration.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor noted that Uganda despite being well-endowed in terms of wonderful weather, arable land and a hospitable population still faced challenges related to food security, climate change and sustainability. He therefore hoped that the collaboration with CAU would help transfer some of the technology and best practices to overcome these challenges.
Prof. Qixin on behalf of his delegation thanked Prof. Alinaitwe and members of Management for the warm reception accorded them. He was accompanied by Ms. Tang Ying-Director International Office, Mr. Li Xiaoyun-Chair Professor, Honorary Dean, College of International Development and Global Agriculture (CIDGA), Mr. Si Wei-Professor, Dean College of Economics and Management, Ms. Tang Lixia-Professor, Deputy Dean CIDGA, and Ms. Xu Jin-Associate Professor, Assistant Dean, CIDGA.
The President shared that CAU as a 118-year-old institution located in Beijing, China with approximately 23,000 students has over the years built expertise and capacity in the transformation of agricultural and rural communities. In this regard, he said that CIDGA, CAU’s newest college established in 2017, aims at policy and theoretical innovations in international development and nurturing new development knowledge particularly in the areas of agricultural and rural transformation, poverty eradication and green development.
The aforementioned focal areas, Prof. Qixin said, were the main reason why his delegation was in Uganda on a two-fold mission to; a) build formal close working relationships at University and College levels and b) forge partnerships with institutions to serve as local partners so as to interface with village-based and Local Government leaders in CAU’s agricultural and rural transformation projects. The collaboration with Makerere, he added, could also be in the form of research exchanges and co-organization of activities such as the Agrifood Innovation Conference. The 2023 edition of the conference attracted over fifteen million visitors online in addition to physical participants.
The presentation by Prof. Qixin was followed by discussions with Members of Management present. They included the Academic Registrar-Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, Dean of Students-Mrs. Winifred Kabumbuli, University Librarian-Prof. Ruth Nalumaga, Director Quality Assurance-Dr. Cyprian Misinde, Director Legal Affairs-Mr. Hudson Musoke, and Director Gender Mainstreaming represented by Mr. Paul Kiggundu. Principals present included; Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga-College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Prof. Eria Hisali-College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Prof. James Okwe Acai-Deputy Principal, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-security (CoVAB), and Prof. Arthur K. Tugume-Dean School of Biosciences representing the Principal College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS).
Topics touched on included;
Scholarships – CAU support covers tuition, research costs, stipend, and accommodation for Masters, PhD and Postdoctoral students. Scholarships however do not cover travel to and from China.
Duration of Programmes – Masters programmes range from two to three years while PhDs range from three to four years.
Language of Instruction – CAU programmes are conducted in English although students are encouraged to learn Chinese.
Ongoing research focused on Africa – CAU researchers are currently working in Tanzania and Malawi on topics such as malnutrition and food security, and the institution is keen to explore joint research with Makerere.
Makerere University on Thursday 15th May, 2025 embarked on a two-day induction exercise spearheaded by the Directorate of Human Resources for newly appointed staff, whose tenures commenced in the 2024/2025 financial year. Held in the Senate Conference Hall, day one of the induction was presided over by the Acting (Ag.) Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)-DVCAA, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
Warmly welcoming the new staff, Prof. Buyinza congratulated the ladies and gentlemen upon choosing Makerere University as the workplace for embarking on their next phase of professional growth, self-discovery, and personal development.
“You are joining a century-old institution with a distinguished history and a deeply rooted culture of academic excellence” Prof. Buyinza remarked. “For over 100 years, Makerere has nurtured the intellectual talents of young people and contributed meaningfully to the development of society across the globe,” he added.
The Ag. DVCAA nevertheless tipped that although the onboarding process might overwhelm staff with a lot of information, it is all meant to enable them better understand their roles, the benefits due them, and the unique opportunities that come with working in a world-class institution. Prof. Buyinza therefore encouraged new staff to contribute to the attainment of Makerere’s Mission, connect with the vibrant community they are now part of, enjoy the beautiful greenery the campus affords, and take advantage of professional development as well as well-being promoting programmes.
“At Makerere University, the well-being, safety, and professional growth of our staff are priorities. We are committed to walking this journey with you, and to building an institution that is not only a place of work but a place of inspiration and belonging” Prof. Buyinza reassured.
In his welcome remarks, the Chief Human Resources Officer, Mr. Deus Tayari Mujuni congratulated the new staff upon successfully completing the rigorous process the resulted into their respective appointments. He equally thanked the Vice Chancellor for endorsing the induction ceremony with not only budgetary support but also his representation.
Reiterating the need to appreciate the culture, politics and dynamics of the institution that they are now part of, Mr. Mujuni tasked new staff to take time and appreciate the University Vision, Mission and Objectives, and ensure that they adhere to them. He equally urged new staff to read and understand the various university policies and where in doubt, consult the relevant offices.
Ultimately, he urged staff in the fulfilment of their duties and responsibilities not to disregard their individual goals. “You have aspirations that you must achieve as an individual and I encourage you not to neglect them.”
The University Council as the supreme governing body of the university is also the policy making body, whose Appointments Board oversees the appointment, promotion, removal from service, and discipline of all university staff and officers. The representative of Staff with Disabilities on University Council, Mr. Amon Muteganda Kabahima who chaired the session on University Governance equally congratulated new staff.
“You underwent a tough process full of various competitive stages and we are sure that we have the right people for the various jobs” he commended.
Addressing aspects of University Governance and the key Offices, the University Secretary and Secretary to Council, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda guided that the policies and regulations that govern the institution are broad, numerous, and as such cannot adequately be covered over the two-day induction. He nevertheless encouraged staff to visit the University Policies website and appraise themselves with the details, not only for avoidance of breaching them but also building a culture voluntary compliance.
Mr. Kiranda equally encouraged staff not to ascribe importance and respect to colleagues based on rank and titles but seek to esteem each and every member of staff as an important and vital contributor to the fulfilment of the University’s Vision and Mission.
“We are all equally important in this university; the person whose services the university does not require, it does not hire. As long as you are here, you are required” he explained.
The University Secretary equally called upon staff to familiarize themselves with the law that establishes and governs public universities; the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act (UOTIA). In his presentation, he singled out section twenty-four (24) that outlines the objectives of a public university in Uganda, as well as sections 30 to 32 that prescribe various offices’ responsibilities.
Mr. Kiranda equally encouraged staff to read the Human Resources Manual, Policy and Regulations against Sexual Harassment (PRASH), the Safeguarding Policy, among others. He concluded by reiterating the need for staff to read and appreciate the policies that directly address their welfare and steer clear of negative narratives and discourse, particularly those that seek to weaponize discourse. Other topics to be covered during the two-day induction include; the University Strategic Plan, Financing, Research-led Agenda, Institutional Communication and Public Relations and the Makerere University Retirement Benefits Scheme (MURBS). Topics to be covered on day two include; Legal Instruments, The Collegiate System, Human Resources Management and Functions, as well as Policies on Gender Equality and Sexual Harassment. Others include; Academic Issues, Quality Assurance, Procurement, Audit, and Library Resources.
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