Makerere University proudly hosted a delegation from Ashinaga Uganda on the 23^rd of July 2024 marking a significant moment in the long-standing partnership between the two esteemed institutions. The meeting in the office of Vice-Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe was a testament to the ongoing commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for orphaned students through their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which has been in place for several years. The collaboration started in 2000.

Reaffirming Shared Goals and Vision

Professor Nawangwe warmly welcomed the Ashinaga Uganda delegates, expressing his enthusiasm for the collaborative efforts that have flourished under the MoU. He highlighted Makerere University‘s dedication to fostering academic excellence, supporting students from diverse backgrounds, and seeing future collaborations with Ashinaga Uganda.

The Ashinaga Uganda team, known for their unwavering commitment to supporting orphaned students, shared updates on their impactful projects and the progress made since establishing the MoU with Makerere University. The meeting was a platform to discuss the strides taken and explore new initiatives to further their shared goals.

Key Highlights of the Meeting

1. Progress Review: The meeting began with a review of the progress made under the MOU, where Professor Peter Baguma explained the collaboration of Ashinaga and Makerere University.  Both parties expressed satisfaction with the collaborative initiatives that have been successfully implemented, such as scholarship programs, internships, and employment opportunities for Makerere University graduates. The Ashinaga delegates explained the history of Ashinaga and its impact on the Nansana community.
2. Enhanced Mentorship and Support to Ashinaga students: The idea of enhancing mentorship programs was explored in detail. Ashinaga Uganda expressed their interest in receiving mentors for their Ashinaga Africa Initiative students.
3. Joint Research Initiatives: The potential for joint research projects was a key discussion topic under the Psychology faculty. Both parties agreed on the importance of collaborative research that addresses societal challenges and contributes to academic knowledge. The Vice-Chancellor emphasized the need for research that has a tangible impact on the youth and development. This can be through seminars organized by Ashinaga.

Strengthening the Partnership

Vice-Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe expressed his optimism about the future of the partnership, stating that the university is happy to work with Ashinaga and happy to receive any requests and that the MoU has laid a strong foundation, and he is excited to build on it to provide even greater support to the students.

The Ashinaga Uganda delegates echoed this sentiment, expressing their gratitude for the fruitful discussions and the progress made thus far. They emphasized the transformative impact that such collaborations have on the lives of the students they support and looked forward to further strengthening the partnership.

Next Steps

As the meeting concluded, both parties agreed on the importance of continued dialogue and action. Plans were made for future meetings and activities to ensure the successful implementation of the initiatives discussed. Ceremonies, workshops by President Tami (Founder of Ashinaga Foundation), and regular progress reviews were proposed as key steps to maintain the momentum of the partnership. It was agreed that the African Leadership Seminar Series be reinvigorated and that in October 2024, a lecture in the series will be held.  It was also agreed to explore the opportunity of the Deputy President of Ashinaga becoming one of the special guests to the University in October 2024

Conclusion

The visit of the Ashinaga Uganda delegates to Makerere University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between the two institutions. With a shared vision of empowering orphan students through education, the partnership is poised to make a lasting impact on the educational landscape for unprivileged students in Uganda and the development of leaders in Africa. Makerere University remains committed to building strong partnerships that enhance the educational experiences of its students and contribute positively to society.