Humanities & Social Sciences
CHUSS Bursar Ms. Joseline Biganja Hands Over Office
Ms. Joseline Biganja, the outgoing Bursar of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) at Makerere University, officially handed over her responsibilities to Mr. Michael Mbaine, previously the head of student halls, in a ceremony held on August 6, 2024.
The handover followed a transfer letter received by Ms. Biganja on August 2, 2024, reassigning her to the University Hospital after four years of service at CHUSS from August 2021 to August 2024.
Presiding over the ceremony, Principal CHUSS Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala acknowledged Ms. Biganja’s contributions, describing the event as a takeover and pledging to organize a proper send-off at a later date. “I found two letters on my table. I am told this is a normal reshuffle and other units had similar changes. If it is the system, we move and serve where we have been deployed,” Prof. Nkabala remarked.
Nkabala welcomed Mr. Mbaine, emphasizing the collaborative and friendly environment at CHUSS. “In CHUSS, we are friendly, we work together for the good of the community. This is the mother of all disciplines”, The Principal remarked.
The ceremony was attended by the University Internal Auditor, Winnie Mbabazi, alongside college management and administrative staff.
Reflecting on her tenure, Ms. Biganja expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve at CHUSS. “I want to thank God for the opportunity that He has given me to serve in CHUSS. It has been a good working relationship, and I must say that I have enjoyed the interaction with everyone in this college. We have met, worked together, and where things were not right, I believe it was not intended. I have truly enjoyed the working relationship,” she said.
Ms. Biganja added, “I take these changes as ministry because I am a believer. When I am called to a certain place, I believe it is not only man but God who wants me to go there. So, I believe God has seen that I have done what I am supposed to in CHUSS, and it is time to move on. I thank Him that He has used me, and we have achieved what we managed to achieve with the available funds and resources.”
In her handover report, Ms. Biganja outlined her responsibilities and contributions, including initiating the construction of a ramp for students with disabilities, building repairs across various college buildings, and outlining the college budgets, work plans, and procurement plans for FY 2024-2025.
Incoming Bursar Mr. Michael Mbaine thanked Ms. Biganja for her efforts and achievements. “I understand that CHUSS is one of the largest units in terms of activities and especially the operations of the finance department. I thank Joseline for her work and pledge to work closely with the finance staff to support the college’s operations effectively,” he stated.
The handover ceremony marked the beginning of a new chapter for both the outgoing and incoming bursars, with Ms. Biganja moving to a new role at the University Hospital and Mr. Mbaine stepping into his new responsibilities at CHUSS.
Representing the Deputy Principal, the Dean School of Psychology Dr. Martin Baluku appreciated the outgoing Bursar for the job well done.
“I have not had any problem with Joseline and we appreciate the services rendered. You have served and it is time to move on. CHUSS is always home, don’t forget”.
To the incoming Bursar, Dr. Baluku urged Mr. Mbaine to feel good on reason that CHUSS is the place to be.
Humanities & Social Sciences
Mak develops new model to aid teaching of Maths in Lower Secondary Curriculum
Makerere University has developed a new Mobile Application to aid the teaching of Mathematics using performing arts in Lower Secondary Curriculum.
“Mathematics is very important in life. The Government Policy on Science Education declared mathematics compulsory for lower secondary school learners as the driver of all sciences. However, the performance of students in mathematics is inadequate. Most students fear mathematics. Others believe mathematics is very hard,” said Prof. Sylvia Antonia Nakimera Nannyonga-Tamusuza, the Principal Investigator of the project.
She noted that despite numerous government interventions, including improving teachers’ conditions, teaching facilities and infrastructure, learners’ performance of Mathematics is still not impressive.
To address this problem, Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza working with a team of researchers from Makerere University and the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) focused on using the power of performing arts, which includes music, dance, drama, story-telling, and visual-audio arts to make the studying of mathematics more captivating and enjoyable.
The research team developed the MusickingMaths App to enhance the teaching of Mathematics through music. The App is an interactive digital platform between the learner and the knowledge facilitator to support the learners in creating songs about mathematical concepts learned.
Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza explained that the created songs are shared with the knowledge facilitator for evaluation and feedback on the learners’ performance of the mathematical concepts.
She made the remarks during the dissemination of research findings of the project titled Integrating Performing Arts to Enhance Teaching/Learning Mathematics in Lower Senior Secondary Schools in Uganda (IPATELMASS) at Makerere University on June 25, 2024.
Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza explained that the new model is an intervention to improve the teaching/learning of mathematics in lower secondary schools in Uganda. She pointed out that IPATELMASS is a participatory action-based research project whose main objective was to inform the development of an Integrated Performing Arts-Mathematics Teaching Learning (IPAMTeL).
Funded by the Government of Uganda through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF), the collaborative venture brought together researchers from the performing arts and mathematics experts from Makerere University, the National Curriculum Development Centre, National Teachers’ Colleges and mathematics teachers from Mubende.
“This Project speaks to Uganda’s National Development Plan IV, which attributes the poor economic performance to the limited application of science, innovation, and technology,” Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza elaborated.
The findings of this research, which was conducted using learners from Mubende Army Secondary School and Kitenga Secondary School in Mubende District, indicate that learners improved in comprehension, critical-thinking skills, concentration span, and memory retention of mathematical concepts and principles.
Other outcomes include improved understanding: learners were better at comprehending mathematical concepts through visualisation and experiencing abstract ideas through performance and dramatization, learners improved other intrinsic values, such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and tolerance.
Prof.Nannyonga-Tamusuza told participants that the learners developed positive attitudes towards Mathematics.
“Learners’ attitudes shifted, making them more positive and open to learning mathematics,” Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza added.
This was re-affirmed by the learners from Mubende Army School who testified that their participation in the research project completely changed their negative perception about mathematics. “Participating in the Makerere University project proved to us that mathematics can be taught anytime (in the morning, afternoon and evening hours). Previously, we thought math was so hard, that it could only be taught in the morning hours.”
Consequently, the learners from Mubende Army School appreciated Makerere University for integrating performing arts into the teaching of math, which has made learning enjoyable.
The research team came up with a number of recommendations including; the need for teacher training and professional development and specialised training for teachers to integrate performing arts into mathematics instruction effectively. As such, resources and funding must be allocated to professional development programs that provide teachers with the necessary skills and knowledge.
Additionally, researchers recommended: further research on how student learning and achievement can be assessed or evaluated in arts-integrated mathematics education, research and development; the need to support ongoing research and evaluation of the effectiveness of arts-integrated mathematics education and community engagement; as well as policies that encourage partnerships between schools, arts organisations, and community stakeholders so as to enhance arts-integrated education.
The Principal, College of Humanities and Social Science (CHUSS), Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala who represented Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe appealed to the Government of Uganda to provide more research funds saying times have changed due to technological advancement.
Prof. Nambalirwa Nkabala proclaimed that the launch of the model that integrates performing arts into the learning of math, was testimony that both the sciences and humanities can work together to make the world a better place.
She commended Prof. Nannyonga-Tamusuza and the research team from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences for taking on a multi-disciplinary approach to research that brought on board scientists, mathematicians, as well as partners in the education sector namely the National Curriculum Development Centre and the schools.
She appreciated the research team for coming up with a solution to address the inadequate performance of students in mathematics.
“With research that seeks to improve the studying of mathematics, Makerere University is fully endowed to make contribution towards the development of Uganda,” Prof. Nambalirwa Nkabala stated.
Launching the IPAMTeL model, the Chief Guest Hajji Ismael Mulindwa, Director of Basic and Secondary Education at the Ministry of Education and Sports applauded Makerere University for taking the lead in solving a national problem.
“I encourage our schools to emulate Makerere to spice up mathematics,” he guided. “I appeal to researchers to do more research in the education sector so as to inform policy.”
Hajji Mulindwa hailed the University Management and the Grants Management Committee for putting the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund to good use.
On behalf of the National Curriculum Development Centre, Dr. Bernadette Nambi, the Director Curriculum Review and Instructional Material Development said the model will not only enhance teaching in the lower curriculum, but also contribute to holistic learning. She noted that the model makes the student the centre of learning and helps teachers to bring mathematics closer to the learners through making it easier for learners to remember concepts.
The Academic Registrar of Makerere University, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi implored the different units at Makerere University to work together to bring the best out of each discipline. “This is the away to go. I believe the time is right for the different departments to work together,” Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi said.
He appealed to the university lecturers to invest more time in mindset change and create awareness about the need for the same among the teaching class and community at large.
-
General6 days agoAdmission Lists -Successful Appeals and Re-advertised programmes 2024/25
-
General2 weeks agoLumumba Hall renovated to perfection
-
General1 week agoMU-JHU Employment Opportunity: Five (5) Positions
-
Education1 week agoAdmission Lists with Subject Combinations 2024/25
-
General2 weeks agoAssoc. Prof. Umar Kakumba Hands Over DVCAA Mantle to Prof. Buyinza