Education
Parliamentary budget officials graduate in public speaking
Twenty-five officials from the office of the parliamentary budget at the Parliament of Uganda have graduated with certificates in public speaking from Makerere University.
Participants were equipped with a number of skills including mastering their body language, eliminating verbal tics, preparing a speech and creating content from the speech.
Other areas included making a PowerPoint presentation, presenting a report, making an in-house presentation, speaking at a conference, delivering a presentation before the camera, addressing the un-expected, and sharpening their presentation skills.
The Public speaking short certificate course is offered by the Centre for Teaching and Learning Support (CTLS) under the College of Education and External Studies (CEES).
Dr Dorothy Ssebowa Kyagaba, the coordinator for CTLS, said the public speaking short course is one of the outreach programmes they offer to the public to ensure capacity building.
The training started last year with public speaking level I and ended this year with level II.
“The course helps participants to sharpen their skills in public speaking,” Dr Kyagaba said.
She revealed the need for this course to every individual is to give them high level presentation skills and also to give them confidence and analyse their audiences as they are giving their speeches.
The participants were awarded certificates on May 17, 2024 at an event officiated by Prof Edward Bbaale, the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training.
“Many times we are chosen upon to make speeches and we get nervous and anxious but when you take up this course, you give a high level speech,” Dr Kyagaba assured the public.
The training was more of learner centered where by participants were involved more into group engagements to enable them practice what they learnt.
Level I was more of an introductory part but level II they were doing a master of all the courses embedded in public speaking.
Centre for Training and Learning Support now plans to extend the training to all members of staff at Makerere University.
“Much as we are lecturers, we are not good at speaking in public. We hope this will help our staff to gain presentation skills,” Dr Kyagaba said.
She said CTLS conceived the idea in 2023 when they thought it was wise to train people in public speaking given the challenge they go through as they are speaking in public.
“Having realised that, we did a needs assessment and we came up with this concept of public speaking.”
Research was conducted from different institutions including the parliament, schools, teacher training institutions, and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) among others.
The training started May 13 and ended May 17.
Hajji Sulaiman Kiggundu, the Director Parliamentary Budget Office, appreciated Makerere for the opportunity offered to his staff and expressed the need to train Makerere researchers how to disseminate their findings.
“Organise training for staff to learn how to write research reports, economic reports and others to enable them benefit from their research,” Hajji Kiggundu said.
He said scholars tend to keep their research findings in shelves.
Assoc. Prof Mathias Mulumba, the Dean School of Education, said training professionals in soft skills is pivotal in self growth.
“Self-education will help you realise your goals. These skills will help you to become better people. You will go back to your respective work places different,” Prof Mulumba said.
Prof Bbaale, the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training led the event of awarding participants their certificates.
He lauded the tutors in this training workshop and asked the Parliamentary Budget office for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Makerere University to help them improve their skills.
“These skills you have acquired today will improve your staff in communication. I urge you to put what you have learnt into practice.”
Under the theme “Future Ready Classrooms: Technologies and Strategies for Student Success in the 21st Century,” Makerere University recently hosted the third Transformative Education and Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Growth (TELLS) conference, held from August 7-8, 2024. This two-day event emphasized the urgent need for embracing the technological revolution in education to ensure student success in an increasingly digital world.
The TELLS conference is a collaborative effort between Makerere University, Uganda; the University of Rwanda; Jimma University, Ethiopia; and the University of Agder, Norway. This initiative is funded by NORAD under the NORHED II Program (2021-2026).
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Moses Musinguzi, Principal of the College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT), highlighted Makerere University’s commitment to integrating new innovations in education. He underscored the institution’s dedication to preparing students for life, work, and citizenship, ensuring they contribute to economic and social development, adapt to change, and provide leadership.
“The University’s educational philosophy is rooted in principles of innovation, learner-centeredness, lifelong learning, internationalization, equity and diversity, academic freedom, collaboration, and quality assurance,” Professor Musinguzi stated. He further emphasized the role of the Centre for Lifelong Learning (CLL) in championing continuing and lifelong education on both national and international levels.
Prof. Musinguzi also recognized the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing the multifaceted challenges and opportunities in education. “The diverse expertise and perspectives gathered here exemplify the power of collaboration. By working together across disciplines, institutions, and borders, we can develop comprehensive solutions that meet the needs of both learners and educators.”
Associate Professor Anthony Muwagga Mugagga, Principal of the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) at Makerere University, echoed these sentiments. He emphasized the need for universities to navigate the challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI) in research, teaching, and assessment. “We are in an era of AI, and it is imperative that we carefully consider its impact on academic integrity and the future of education.”
Professor Florien Nsanganwimana, Principal of the College of Education at the University of Rwanda, called for a paradigm shift in educational practices, advocating for the integration of transformative technologies in teaching and learning. “In the 21st century, technology-driven education is essential. We must equip our learners with the competencies they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world,” he urged.
The conference also featured insights from John Domingue of The Open University in the United Kingdom, who delivered a keynote on “Generative AI and the Future of Education.” He emphasized the potential of AI to revolutionize education and the need for educators to prepare students for a future where AI plays a central role.
The TELLS Project coordinators, Associate Professors Paul Birevu Muyinda from Makerere University and Ghislain Maurice N. Isabwe from the University of Agder, Norway, highlighted the project’s achievements, including workshops, policy reviews, and collaborative research efforts. They also addressed challenges such as the digital divide, budget constraints, and security concerns across partner universities.
As the conference concluded, Professor Buyinza Mukadasi, the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and Institutional Coordinator of the NORHED II Programme, delivered the closing remarks. He expressed profound gratitude and happiness for hosting the event at Makerere University, highlighting the significance of the TELLS project as one of the 19 projects under the NORHED II programme. He commended the collaborative efforts of the partner institutions, particularly acknowledging the leadership of Prof. Maurice Isabwe and Prof. Paul Birevu Muyinda in steering the TELLS project through both good and challenging times.
Professor Mukadasi emphasized the importance of the conference in building capacity for innovative teaching and learning, stating, “This Future Education Conference has not only showcased the rich tapestry of innovation and collaboration in teaching, learning, and educational leadership but has also underscored the significant strides we are making in our quest for educational excellence.” He urged participants to carry forward the momentum of the conference by translating discussions into tangible actions that will enhance the quality of education and promote sustainable development.
As the conference concluded, participants were reminded of the transformative power of education and the need for continuous innovation in teaching and learning. The TELLS conference has set the stage for future collaborations aimed at harnessing technology to enhance education and lifelong learning in Africa and beyond.
Education
The 3rd East African Teacher Education Symposium: Curriculum development and decolonization of education in East Africa
By Latifah Nalubowa
The School of Education recently welcomed a group of Senior 6 students from Mbogo High School for an insightful career development session aimed at guiding them towards informed decisions about their future careers. The session, chaired by Dr. Muhammad Kiggundu Musoke, featured discussions led by his colleagues Ms. Joanna Kayaga and Mr. Kansiime Edward.
Dr. Kiggundu opened the session by warmly welcoming the students and introducing the faculty members present. He engaged the students in a thought-provoking discussion on the noble profession of teaching. Highlighting the respect teachers command in society, their role in shaping future generations, and their commitment to truth and integrity, Dr. Kiggundu underscored the significant impact of educators. He also provided an overview of the various courses offered by the School of Education and emphasized how education serves as a foundational pillar for a successful life.
Following this, Dr. Kiggundu invited Dr. Kansiime to elaborate on the specific courses available within the Department of Science, Technology and Vocational Education and the prerequisites for admission. Dr. Kansiime detailed the course offerings and stressed the importance of aligning course selection with career goals. He highlighted that making informed choices can greatly influence the students’ academic and professional trajectories.
Dr. Kiggundu then focused on the Department of Languages, explaining the diverse programs offered, including Luganda, English, Lusoga, Arabic, and more. He emphasized that teaching is not only a respected profession but also one that offers various income-generating opportunities.
Ms. Kayaga contributed by advising the students to carefully consider their subject combinations, as some might not meet the requirements for admission into international universities. She explained the application process, including how to apply online, and warned against misleading information. Ms. Kayaga directed the students to visit Makerere University’s website (www.mak.ac.ug) (www.cees.mak.ac.ug ) for more detailed information.
The session concluded with heartfelt gratitude expressed by Madam Nabunya, a teacher from Mbogo High School. She thanked the lecturers for their valuable advice and insights, which she believed would greatly benefit the students in making well-informed career choices.
The career development session was a successful initiative by the School of Education, providing Mbogo High School students with the guidance and knowledge needed to navigate their future academic and professional paths.
-
General1 week agoAdmission Lists -Successful Appeals and Re-advertised programmes 2024/25
-
General3 days agoADVERT: Employment Opportunities at Makerere University
-
General1 week agoMature Age Admission List under Private Sponsorship 2024/25
-
Business & Management2 weeks agoFirst Year Students Welcomed to CoBAMS
-
Computing & IS5 days agoCoCIS CIPSD first ever Microsoft Azure/Cloud boot camp