General
Students Offer Insightful Feedback on Courses, Lecturers & Teaching for Semester 2 of 2022/23
On Friday, 24th November 2023, the Quality Assurance Directorate (QAD) hosted a dissemination meeting at which results of the Students Evaluation of Course and Teaching (SECAT) for Semester 2 of the academic year 2022/2023 were shared with Management as well as Academic and Student leaders. According to QAD, SECAT is one of the mechanisms for engaging students to have a say about the course they have enrolled for, the lecturer who teaches the course and how the course has been delivered so as to generate evidence that can be used for progressive improvement towards to attainment of the University’s strategic plan.
Delivering the welcome remarks at the event, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Prof. Umar Kakumba noted that SECAT is a standard requirement for institutions all over the world and expressed appreciation to QAD for undertaking the exercise. He was particularly appreciative that SECAT is an authentic tool that offers confidentiality to students and provides objective areas and metrics. Furthermore, he noted that since the mechanism is not cast in stone, it can be modified to cater for the unique or emerging teaching and learning needs of some academic units.
“The quality of learners is not a problem because from our cut off points, we take the best performers annually. However, how are the students prepared to learn? What is their attitude and what are their expectations?” pondered the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs).
Prof. Kakumba therefore appreciated the appropriateness of SECAT as a tool for receiving feedback from a tech-savvy generation that is not only good at juggling various tasks but also has a short attention span. He noted that it was important to evaluate whether the courses taught, the lecturers who conduct them and the methods of delivery all meet students’ expectations.
Presenting findings from the SECAT, the Director QAD, Dr. Cyprian Misinde noted that the exercise is essential for assessing teaching quality, aligning course expectations with outcomes, optimizing the timing of evaluations, influencing faculty teaching practices, and evaluating the effectiveness of instructional technology. “By providing valuable feedback and insights, student evaluations contribute to the continuous improvement of educational practices and the overall learning experience.”
It is against this background that Dr. Misinde urged all faculty members from all ten constituent colleges of Makerere University and the Jinja Campus to encourage their students to evaluate their courses. “When we send out the tools, encourage your students to complete them.”
Presenting results from the evaluation, Dr. Misinde reported that overall, 60.2% respondents strongly agreed that the course they took had positive impact on their learning, while 54.7% strongly agreed that courses undertaken improved their capacity to think and learn independently. In terms of courses’ impact on professional practice and relevance to career prospects, respondents were 52.7% and 57% respectively in strong agreement, while 55.9% strongly agreed that courses improved their knowledge and understanding.
As Makerere aspires to be a more research-led University, it was encouraging to learn that 45.9% of students strongly agreed that the courses improved their research skills. Additionally, 55.8% of students strongly agreed that the courses they took encouraged them to read widely.
With regard to the lecturers’ conduct the students strongly agreed that 60.8% of lecturers gave clear descriptions of course objectives, 52.6% were punctual, 51.4% strictly followed the timetable and 59.3% encouraged discussions and participation. Furthermore, students strongly agreed that 64.3% of lecturers were knowledgeable and resourceful on the subject matter, 46.6% assessed and gave timely feedback, 56.1% had a cordial and professional relationship with students, and 66.7% strongly agreed that lecturers dressed appropriately and decently.
On the methods of delivery of courses, students strongly agreed that 53.9% had clear outlines as well as up-to-date reading lists and references, 44% were taught with a variety of teaching methods, tutorials, and aids e.g. ICTs, and 47.1% of teaching and learning environments were conducive for academic pursuit. On the contrary over 50% disagreed that a variety of tools was offered during assessments.
Qualitative results from the evaluation also showed that students enjoyed diverse methods of course delivery, particularly the hands-on experiences, with some acknowledging that “We were sent out into the field to go and do research as groups, this improved on our student to student relationship as it encouraged teamwork and also helped us to do more research”. Additionally, students noted that “…We had to do a survey on marriages in Uganda and on top of the knowledge we attain from the syllabus, we also gained socioeconomic knowledge.”
Representing the 89th Guild Academic Affairs Minister Hon. Patience Nambaziira and student body in general, Mr. Matsiko Timothy expressed happiness that QAD invited the student leaders to participate in rollout of SECAT. Furthermore, he was pleased that SECAT demonstrated the University Management’s appreciation of the changing trends and keenness to receive feedback from the student body on their experience and expectations. “This is surely something to help us build for the future as the Makerere University motto says.”
Concluding the day’s remarks, Dr. Misinde recommended that all units should study the evaluation report and set targets for improvement. He further urged that courses should be grounded in students’ real life situations by evaluating and implementing the suggestions they provided. The Director further recommended that lecturers should take particular note of aspects of courses, their own conduct and methods of delivery that the students enjoyed and seek to inculcate more of these best practices going forward.
The Director of Makerere University Jinja Campus, Associate Professor Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala, has urged students to familiarise themselves with the Safeguarding policy aimed at creating a safer and more inclusive learning environment.
Speaking during the safeguarding policy sensitization meeting held today Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at the Civil Service College, Jinja, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, emphasized the importance of awareness and adherence to the policy, which seeks to protect students, staff, and other stakeholders from all forms of abuse, harassment, exploitation, and discrimination.
“As Management we want every student to enjoy their stay at the University without being tormented and that can only happen, if students know their rights by reading about different policies on our website. You are meant to be living in a safe environment. We do not want anybody’s dream to be shattered or somebody to drop out from University,” Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, said.
In his speech, Prof. Kakungulu-Mayambala, also called upon students who have complaints but do not know the reporting lines, to approach staff safeguarding champions to make sure that they live in a safe environment.
Addressing guests, Emmanuel Muchake, the Guild Administrator at Jinja Campus, pointed out that the launch of the safeguarding policy is timely because as a University, without creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning, they will not have students graduate.
On Friday, April 4,2025, the Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Portfolio, Right Honourable Lukia Isanga Nakadama, officially launched the Safeguarding Policy and commended Makerere University for crafting a policy that lays out the University’s framework for embedding viable safeguarding measures into its ethos and all institutional activities and processes to: Identify, detect, and act swiftly on safeguarding risks.
The Safeguarding Policy was developed in response to the growing need for institutions of higher learning to implement proactive measures that address concerns related to student welfare, mental health, gender-based violence, and power imbalances in academic settings.
Some of potential safeguarding risks in Institutions of higher learning include emotional distress, Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH); material loss, financial exploitation, discrimination and neglect, unfair and illegitimate response to civic engagements, cyber security/threats, psychological and emotional harm, substance abuse and physical assault. Discrimination and neglect which are often high risks for students with disabilities and international students.
The safeguarding policy sensitization meeting in Jinja Campus brought together students and staff in a meaningful dialogue on safeguarding issues affecting learning.
The event was graced by Dr. Rodney Rugyema, from the Dean of Students Office, who emphasized the University’s commitment to the well-being of all its members. In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of safeguarding policies in preventing abuse, harassment, exploitation, and other forms of misconduct within the Jinja Campus community.
“Safeguarding is not a one-time action, but a continuous culture of care and accountability. We all have a role to play in ensuring a safe and respectful space for learning and growth,” Dr Rugyema, said.
The sensitization session covered key topics including; recognizing signs of abuse, understanding reporting procedures on the MakSafeSpace and fostering mutual respect among peers.
Participants were encouraged to actively engage and reflect on their roles in upholding safety standards both on and off campus.
Students who attended the sensitization welcomed the initiative, with many expressing optimism that the policy would improve campus safety and encourage victims to come forward without fear of retaliation.
“We have seen issues go unreported in the past because students didn’t know where to turn. This policy provides clarity and assurance that the university is taking these matters seriously,” noted, a third-year student.
The University plans to conduct a series of sensitization workshops and distribute printed copies of the policy to ensure that every member of the campus community is well-informed. This initiative is part of Makerere University‘s broader strategy to reinforce its values of integrity, respect, and protection for all.
The Safeguarding Sensitization Meeting concluded with a collective pledge to uphold safety, dignity, and mutual respect within the University community.
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