Our Pursuit of Research-led status firmly anchored

Makerere University has continued to excel in research, teaching, learning and knowledge transfer partnerships. A survey conducted by our experts revealed that between 2017 and 2021, our faculty published more than 7,000 articles in peer reviewed journals. Furthermore, a number of staff and students have won several awards in recognition of their excellence in research and teaching. I salute all staff and students involved in organizing scientific conferences and seminars, as well as exhibitions.

Our main goal for the next few years remains to transform Makerere University into a research-led University. Makerere must indeed respond to the changing paradigm of a modern university that is expected to not only create new knowledge through research, but to also put the findings to uses that benefit humanity in the form of goods and services.

To promote this strategy, we have put in place the Intellectual Property Management Office, the Makerere University Innovation Hub, and the Writing Centre, which is a joint venture between Makerere University and Michigan State University. Together with the Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU), these initiatives are expected to propel Makerere to a modern global research and entrepreneurial university.

I commend the Government of Uganda led by H.E. President Yoweri K. Museveni for prioritizing research through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund. We have registered several patents, copyrights, and trademarks. Our international reputation and global linkages are at unprecedented levels. Makerere University was ranked quite highly by the Times Higher Education in the inaugural sub-Saharan impact ranking. We are indeed on the right track.

I congratulate our students from the College of Computing and Information Sciences who have continued to win the Huawei Global competition in IT as well as students from the School of Law for winning global moot competitions year after year. I applaud Associate Prof. Susan Kiguli from the Department of Literature for being the first African to win the Lifetime Achievement award of the International Civil Poetry Festival, and Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, Dean of the School of Public Health on being appointed a Member of the WHO Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Advisory Group and Alternate Board Member of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, representing Research and Technical Health Institutes.

I thank the Government, Parliament and our development partners for supporting all programmes aimed at making Makerere a more research-led University.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe
VICE CHANCELLOR