General
Prof. Edward Bbaale handovers DRGT office to Assoc. Prof. Robert Wamala
By Nalumansi Aisha
In a ceremonious event at Makerere University’s Senate Building, a significant leadership transition took place at the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT). This momentous occasion saw Professor Edward Bbaale, the outgoing Director, pass on his responsibilities to Associate Professor Robert Wamala, marking the beginning of a new era for the institution renowned for its dedication to advancing research and graduate education.
Professor Edward Bbaale, who led the DRGT since December 2022, presented a comprehensive overview of the directorate’s accomplishments and ongoing initiatives. He spotlighted key strategic developments during his tenure, including the establishment of the Research Entities and Institutes policy (2021), the Intellectual Property Management Policy (2022), and the Research and Innovations Policy (2022). These policies have been pivotal in fostering a research-centric and innovation-driven culture at Makerere University.
Under his guidance, the directorate achieved several milestones: the revision of the Postdoctoral Policy, the creation of a PhD Structure by Research, and the inception of the DRGT Annual Forum for Graduate Research and Policy Dialogue. A particularly notable highlight was the graduation of over 130 PhD candidates at the university’s 74th graduation ceremony. Professor Bbaale also emphasized the implementation of the Research Information Management System (RIMS), aimed at enhancing efficiency and transparency in graduate academic processes.
Following his presentation, Professor Bbaale officially handed over the directorate’s documents to Associate Professor Robert Wamala. This symbolic act underscored the continuity and the steadfast commitment to maintaining the high standards set by the outgoing director.
Vision from the Incoming Director
In his inaugural address, Associate Professor Robert Wamala expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm for leading the DRGT. He praised Professor Bbaale for his outstanding leadership and the solid foundation established during his term. Professor Wamala pledged to uphold the core values of Makerere University—Excellence, Accountability, Professionalism, Inclusivity, Respect, and Integrity—and to further the mission of DRGT by promoting research initiatives, supporting graduate students, and ensuring the quality of graduate programs.
He outlined key initiatives that will continue under his leadership, such as the Research Information Management System (RIMS), the digitization of academic records, and the consolidation of systems at Makerere University (MAKDATA). He emphasized the importance of collective effort and open communication among the directorate’s members to tackle challenges and embrace new opportunities.
The Guest of Honor
The ceremony’s guest of honor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Associate Professor Umar Kakumba, commended Professor Bbaale for his significant contributions and expressed confidence in his new role as the Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS). Professor Kakumba congratulated Associate Professor Wamala on his appointment and applauded the entire DRGT team for their dedication and teamwork.
In his remarks, Professor Kakumba underscored the critical role of DRGT as the central hub for innovation at Makerere University. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to supporting research and graduate training, essential components for Uganda’s development and global competitiveness.
A New Chapter of Excellence and Innovation
The handover ceremony on May 31, 2024 at the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training was more than a formal leadership transition. It was a reaffirmation of Makerere University’s dedication to research excellence and innovation. With the solid groundwork laid by Professor Edward Bbaale and the fresh vision of Associate Professor Robert Wamala, the DRGT is poised for continued growth and impact. As the university community embraces this new chapter, the spirit of collaboration and dedication to academic excellence remains steadfast and unwavering.
General
Makerere University and Xiangtan University Advance Strategic Partnership in Chemical Engineering
Makerere University and Xiangtan University are set to update their close to 20-year academic partnership, with a new focus on launching a joint Master’s degree program in Chemical Engineering and expanding student and staff exchange initiatives.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a recent visit by a delegation from Xiangtan University to Makerere University headed by Professor Dingyu Ou, in the company of Mr. Tang Fei and Professor Gilbert Gumshabe, the Chinese and Ugandan Directors of the Confucius Institute at Makerere University respectively.
While addressing the delegation, Professor Nawangwe highlighted that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to diversify academic offerings and contribute to national development through training in Chemical Engineering. Through this new initiative, the University will better prepare graduates for the petrochemical industry and support the country’s industrial growth.
The Vice Chancellor appreciated that the proposed collaboration aims to address Uganda’s growing need for industrial expertise, particularly as the country develops its petroleum sector. The two universities here are working toward a 1+2 training model, which will enable Makerere students to gain practical experience and access advanced laboratory facilities at Xiangtan University.
Professor Nawangwe further reiterated that “our relationship with the people of China, not just for Makerere but also for a big part of Uganda, has been opened wider by the establishment of the Confucius Institute, considering that many other collaborations like one being discussed now have come through this collaboration.”
The head of the Xiangtan delegation, Professor Dingyu Ou, expressed appreciation for the meeting, and acknowledged the history between the institutions. “As mentioned, we have a very long relationship and a very stable friendship between our two universities.”
Professor Ou extended appreciation for the support provided to the Confucius Institute at Makerere, the care shown to his colleagues, and looked forward to the successful start of the Chemical Engineering collaboration.
Assuring the delegation of Makerere’s readiness for the collaboration, Ms. Hawa Ndagire Kajumba the Lead, Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement, Makerere University Advancement Office, aligned with the Vice Chancellor’s emphasis of University goal to have both theory and practice imparted to the students.
She said “the curriculum of the university and Uganda as a whole is moving towards competence-based education training to ensure students are equipped to demonstrate those skills in the actual field, particularly regarding petroleum exploration.”
Ms. Ndagire Kajumba also emphasised a shift in strategy for the partnership office, saying, “we are moving away from just signing MOUs that collect dust, and moving towards those that are more collaborative to benefit our faculty and students, just like this one.”
Professor Gilbert Kumushabe aligned his remarks with those of the Vice Chancellor and Ms. Ndagire Kajumba, and described the method used at Xiangtan University as “actually competence-based teaching.”
Based on his recent visit, Prof. Gumoshabe shared that students in China are divided into groups with dedicated teachers to perform practical, hands-on work beyond the theoretical lecturers. He expressed gladness that the same was being adopted for the Ugandan context.
Both institutions are now working to finalise the specific agreements for the joint degree and exchange programs. Beyond academic training, the collaboration will advance cultural and professional exchange.
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