Agriculture & Environment
Call for Masters Scholarships at NTNU Norway
Published
11 months agoon
By
Mak Editor
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), together with the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK Dir), are pleased to announce a call for applications for the NORSTIP scholarship for higher education. The scholarship is intended for students from certain NTNU’s partner universities in low- and middle-income countries who wish to take a master’s degree within certain fields of study at NTNU. The scholarship is valid for studies starting in autumn 2025.
At Makerere University (MAK), students and staff from the following departments are eligible to apply: Department of Development Studies; Department of Geography, Geo- Informatics and Climatic Sciences, Department of Environment Management, and Department of Forestry, Bio-diversity and Tourism having completed a bachelor’s degree may apply for a scholarship for one of the following two-year master’s programmes at NTNU:
- MSc in Globalisation and Sustainable Development (up to 4 scholarships)
- MSc in Natural Resources Management Specializing in Geography (up to 2 scholarships)
MSc in Globalisation and Sustainable Development (MSGLOPOL 2-years) is a two-year international, interdisciplinary master’s programme that provides students with critical insights into global sustainability challenges combining academic studies with practical experiences. As part of the programme, the students will undergo an internship in a globally oriented organisation or corporation. The programme provides students with specialist knowledge and transferable skills to pursue careers in multinational corporations, foreign policy, international organisations, NGOs and research. Please consult the programme’s webpages for more information about admission requirements and content.
Master of Science in Natural Resources Management Specializing in Geography (NARM 2-years) is a two-year international interdisciplinary programme, consisting of the specializations Biology and Geography. The specially designed programme gives the students an understanding of the importance of managing natural resources sustainably, while developing an understanding of the connections between different disciplines and actors. It will also help you to be able to communicate with actors across disciplines. This programme aims to give an outstanding, and unique, education and the required knowledge that will contribute to finding sustainable solutions to interdisciplinary challenges related to the management of natural resources. Please consult the programme’s webpages for more information about admission requirements and content.
Who can apply?
To be eligible for the scholarship you must fulfil the following criteria:
- Having graduated with a bachelor’s degree at the Department of Development
Studies, Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, Department of Environment Management, or Department of Forestry, Bio-diversity and Tourism or being an employee 1 at these respective departments - Be between the ages of 20-30
- Be a citizen of and reside in Uganda
- Not already hold a master’s degree
To be awarded the scholarship you will also need to be formally accepted to MSc in Globalisation and Sustainable Development at NTNU or Natural Resources Management specialising in Geography. Admission to the master’s programmes at NTNU will require:
- A first degree (a bachelor’s degree) in a relevant field
- a. To be admitted to MSGLOPOL or MSNARM, applicants must have a relevant bachelor’s degree with a grade point average of at least C by the Norwegian grading system (First class and second class upper by Makerere University standards). A-C grade, however, does not guarantee admission.
- b. For specific academic requirements visit:
https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/msglopol/admission or
https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/msnarm/admission
- Documentation of English language proficiency according to NTNU’s requirements
How to apply – Deadline 23rd of September
Applications should be sent to NORSTIP_Geography NTNU at Email: NORSTIPapplicationmakerere@gmail.com before the 23rd of September including CV, motivation letter which also indicate your research interests (max 1-page A4), transcripts of records and BSc certificates (all documents need to be in English).
Applicants will be shortlisted for a digital interview with a selection committee at the NTNU in collaboration with partners at MAK. Candidates will be ranked based on academic performance, and personal and interpersonal qualifications. Selection will follow NTNUs principles of gender balance and equality. Female students are encouraged to apply.
Applicants are advised of the result of their application by 15th of November and will receive information about the further application process. Accepted students’ needs to apply for admission to NTNU by the 1st of December 2024 (included all relevant documentation, language test and more).
The scholarship
The scholarship amounts to a total of 920 000 NOK per student for the two years of studies. It covers your tuition fees, visa fees, travel costs to/from Norway before your studies and after graduation (max 30 000 NOK), funding for field work where relevant, and reasonable costs for living and studying in Norway. The Candidate is personally responsible for ensuring that the scholarship payments satisfy their various monetary obligations (housing, fees, etc.) and general living costs. Candidate must cover travel expenses and visa application fee (about 5400 NOK per August 2024) themselves and will be reimbursed for this after arrival at NTNU in Norway.
The NORSTIP start-up grant (15 000 NOK) together with the scholarship amount for the first 4 months will be paid out to the Candidate upon their arrival at the Institution’s campus in Norway. The candidate will receive these funds on a cash card (kronekort) which may be used as a regular debit card. This card cannot be used online or to pay invoices. The rent to Sit[2]2 housing may be paid using the cash card in Sit’s housing office. Subsequent monthly payments will be made out to the Candidate’s Norwegian bank account on the date set by the Institution for such pay-outs.
Upon acquisition of their identification number, the Candidate will be required to open a personal bank account in a Norwegian bank and provide the account details to the contact person at the Institution. Upon receipt of the Candidate’s Norwegian banking details, the Institution will make all subsequent payments to the Candidate’s Norwegian bank account.
The scholarship will not cover expenses for family members/children in the home country or in Norway or costs associated with sending extra luggage to/from Norway.
Conditions for entitlement after having been awarded the scholarship
To become and remain entitled to the Scholarship, the Candidate must:
- a) obtain and continuously uphold a valid residence permit from UDI3;
- b) accept enrolment into the Master’s programme provided by the Institution, and continuously meet the requirements set by the Institution for upholding his/her student status and right to attend the Master’s programme;
- c) arrive at the Institution’s campus in Norway and commence their studies in accordance with the Master’s programme;
- d) keep the study progression set by the Institution for the Master’s programme.
It is expected that the Candidate returns to her/his home country after completing the Master’s programme in Norway.
For additional questions about the NORSTIP scholarship programme, please contact:
- Per Ivar CHUTKO, study advisor, Department of Geography. NTNU. Email: per.chutko@ntnu.no
- Associate Prof. Hilde REFSTIE, Department of Geography, NTNU. Email: hilde.refstie@ntnu.no
- Dr Paul Isolo MUKWAYA, Department of Geography, Geo-informatics and Climatic Sciences, Makerere University. Email: pmukwaya@gmail.com
- Dr Eria Serwajja, Department of Development Studies, Makerere University. Email: eserwajja@gmail.com
Footnotes
- Employees of partner universities who have an agreement with their employer to return
to their position after the completed master’s degree will be prioritised. ↩︎ - Sit is the Student Welfare Organisation who is in charge of a number of services for
students at NTNU. Please see https://www.sit.no/en for more information. ↩︎ - UDI is the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration. Please see https://www.udi.no/ for
more information. ↩︎
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Agriculture & Environment
Mak Moves to Revitalize Food Technology & Business Incubation Centre to Drive Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Published
1 day agoon
July 14, 2025By
Mak Editor
By Ssembogga Derrick
Makerere University marked a significant milestone on Thursday, 10th July 2025, with the launch of the revitalization programme for the Food Technology and Business Incubation Centre (FTBIC). This initiative is poised to position the FTBIC as a national hub for food innovation, student enterprise development, and agro-industrial transformation.
Hosted under the School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering (SFTNB) at the College of the Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), the revitalization of the FTBIC is intended to bridge the gap between academia and industry. “We aim to achieve this by supporting food-based start-ups, enhancing graduate entrepreneurship, and promoting the commercialization of research,” Dr Julia Kigozi, Dean, SFTNB explained. The project receives critical funding from the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (MakRIF), which consistently supports innovation and research-based development at the university.

Unveiling a New Strategic Vision
The event, held under the theme “Revitalizing FTBIC to Unlock Innovation and Entrepreneurship Potential among Makerere University Graduates”, marked the official launch of the Centre’s revitalization programme to key stakeholders. It featured the presentation of FTBIC’s new strategic vision and direction, highlighting the commitment of the institution and its partners to fostering graduate entrepreneurship and innovation in food systems. The event also aimed to raise awareness of the Centre’s crucial role in supporting industry, research, and national development.
Participation of stakeholders
The launch attracted a vibrant and diverse audience of over 50 participants. Among the attendees were student representatives; partners from other incubation centers both within and outside Makerere University, including MIIC, UNIPOD, and DGI; as well as representatives from national innovation stakeholders such as Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) and StartHub Africa.

Most notably, the event was honored by the presence of the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe. The Vice Chancellor commended the revitalization efforts, acknowledging the Centre’s immense potential to incubate hundreds of food-based start-ups and create employment opportunities for thousands of graduates. “The Centre is now well-positioned to become a flagship platform for innovation, employment creation, and agro-industrial development in Uganda and beyond. Makerere University remains committed to supporting such initiatives that align with national priorities and global development goals.”
The event featured the unveiling of the operational framework for the revitalized Centre, highlighting its commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship, and practical graduate training. Stakeholders in attendance expressed enthusiasm and pledged support for future collaboration, research, and product development initiatives aligned with national development priorities. The event also provided a platform to deepen partnerships with private sector actors and development organizations, reinforcing confidence in the Centre’s potential to serve as a national model for university-led incubation.

Agriculture & Environment
SophiA Project Upgrades Medical Infrastructure at Buvuma Health Centre IV, Trains Technicians for Maintenance Works
Published
6 days agoon
July 9, 2025
Overview of the Sustainable Off-Grid Solutions for Pharmacies and Hospitals in Africa (SophiA) Project
Despite ongoing urbanization across Africa, the majority of the population still resides in rural and remote areas, where infrastructure development remains limited. These regions face significant challenges such as lack of access to healthcare, education, clean water, and reliable electricity, contributing to higher rates of illness and poverty compared to urban centres. According to reports, Sub-Saharan Africa has approximately 120,000 public health facilities (22,000 hospitals and 98,000 health posts), of which around 26% lack any electricity access, and only 28% have reliable power supply.
Access to good healthcare is critical for sustainable development. However, many rural medical centres operate under harsh conditions – using polluted water, lacking cooling for medicines, and facing poor sanitation – largely due to unreliable electricity and water supply. Although half of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa lacks electricity, the region has abundant renewable energy potential that can be effectively harnessed through off-grid solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

To address the above-mentioned challenges facing the African Continent, Makerere University in partnership with 13 organizations across Europe and Africa developed a project titled, “Sustainable Off-grid solutions for Pharmacies and Hospitals in Africa (SophiA)”. The five-year project that began on 1st October 2021 is funded by the European Union (Project: 101036836 – SophiA – H2020-LC-GD-2-3-2020). At Makerere University, the project is coordinated by Dr. Nicholas Kiggundu, Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES).
Piloted in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Malawi, and Uganda, SophiA aims to provide sustainable off-grid energy solutions to rural and remote health facilities, fostering economic growth and ensuring equitable access to energy and healthcare. Using various technologies, such as photovoltaics, solar thermal, electrical and thermal storage, water treatment and natural refrigerants with low global warming potential, SophiA has developed and manufactured locally innovative, modular, affordable and efficient solar powered systems for providing:
- Safe and clean drinking water, free of bacteria and viruses, and deionised water for medical purposes;
- Hot water and steam production for thermal requirements of the hospitals;
- Cooling of medicines and food at +5°C;
- Low temperature storage of blood plasma and vaccines at -30°C;
- Ultra-low temperature storage of sensitive medication (e.g. some Covid-19 or Ebola vaccines) at -70°C.

In addition, PV MedPort, a simple and 100% solar-powered solution has been developed and tested as a mobile health care station in small remote areas in 4 different geographical conditions in Africa. The SophiA system has been manufactured in Africa and will provide, for the first-time, innovative solutions based on climate-friendly natural refrigerants to cover cooling demand for three different temperature ranges (-70°C, -30°C and +5°C). The system has been tested and demonstrated at four rural hospitals in remote regions throughout the African continent covering the major geographical regions and different climatic conditions in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Malawi and Uganda.
SophiA Project initiatives in Uganda
In Uganda, all Health Centre IV hospitals with surgical theatres have been connected to the national grid except Buvuma Health Centre IV, which serves over 120,000 people scattered across 52 islands. Recognizing this gap, the Ministry of Health selected Buvuma Health Centre IV for the SophiA project to demonstrate sustainable off-grid solutions.

The SophiA System at Buvuma Health Centre IV provides the following services:
- Off-grid electricity supply
- Safe, clean drinking water for patients, staff, and the community
- Hot water and steam systems crucial for maternal care
- Solar-powered cooking and meal preparation
- Cooling systems for surgery and intensive care units
- Refrigeration for medicines at +5°C, blood plasma storage at -30°C, and ultra-low temperature storage (-70°C) for sensitive vaccines such as those for COVID-19 and Ebola
Training of Trainers Workshop
As the SophiA project approaches completion in September 2025, it is vital to establish a skilled pool of technicians capable of handling maintenance and minor repairs of the system components, including solar panels, water treatment units, generators, batteries, and cooking kits.

From June 23 to 27, 2025, Makerere University hosted a comprehensive Training of Trainers workshop. The training programme encompassed a diverse range of topics delivered by subject matter experts from institutions, including Makerere University (Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering – CAES, and the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology – CEDAT), Hochschule University of Applied Sciences, and Busitema University. Participants were carefully selected from diverse professional backgrounds, including recent engineering graduates from CAES and CEDAT, Makerere University, University technical staff, personnel from Kyambogo University, officials from Buvuma District Works and Health Departments, and electricians from Kampala City. The training sessions were conducted at Makerere University and Buvuma Health Centre IV Hospital.
Training Modules Included:
- Sustainable energy systems and their practical applications
- Energy generation and storage technologies
- Solar water heating: design, operation, maintenance, and performance optimization of solar water heaters, crop dryers, and concentrating solar heaters
- Solar PV technologies in Uganda: cell technology, system design, operations, maintenance, and hands-on practicals for standalone and grid-connected systems
- Public health implications of water quality
- Water treatment and quality management, including protocols, parameters, and case study on the MCDI treatment system
- Water quality testing methodologies
- Introduction to sustainable refrigeration and cooling technologies
- Environmental impact and safety considerations for refrigerants
- Refrigeration cycles and component overview
- Life cycle assessment of SophiA technologies
- Thermal energy storage within the SophiA system
- Steam as a productive energy source

The Training Sessions
Day One: Introduction to foundational concepts in solar energy technologies
The first day of the SophiA Train the Trainers Workshop focused on building foundational knowledge in sustainable and solar energy systems. Led by Dr. Peter Tumutegyereize and Dr. Francis Mujjuni, participants explored a range of technologies and applications critical to clean energy deployment.
Key topics included:
Sustainable Energy Systems: Introduction to renewable energy systems including bioenergy, hydro, wind, geothermal, hydrogen fuel cells, and battery storage.
Solar Radiation & Geometry: Understanding solar constants, irradiance, and the impact of atmospheric conditions on solar performance.
Solar Thermal Technologies: Detailed look at solar water heating systems (FPCs and ETCs), maintenance, sizing, and solar dryers for agricultural and industrial use.
Photovoltaic (PV) Systems: Working principles, types of PV cells, performance factors, and diagnostics. Practical testing techniques and metrics like Voc, Isc, MPP, and PR were discussed.
Simulation & Application: Olivia Nakiwanuka demonstrated a PVsyst-based simulation of a 2.55 kWp standalone system for a conference hall, showing a high solar fraction (97.88%) and low LCOE (USD 0.03/kWh).

The sessions emphasized practical skills, performance analysis, and real-world application, equipping participants to train others and support solar adoption, especially in rural and off-grid settings.
Day Two: Water Treatment Technologies
The second day focused on water treatment technologies relevant to low-resource healthcare settings. Facilitated by Sneha De and Mr. Duc Dinh Ngoc from Hochschule Karlsruhe University, sessions covered technical, environmental, and operational challenges, with contributions from Dr. Joshua Wanyama on water quality management and Dr. Prossie Nakawuka on practical water testing.
Key challenges addressed included unreliable water supply and contamination in healthcare facilities, emphasizing the need for decentralized water treatment, especially in rural areas.

Sneha De reviewed biological and physical/chemical water treatment methods, highlighting technologies such as activated sludge, filtration, membrane bioreactors, and advanced disinfection techniques. The SophiA modular water treatment system, integrating ultrafiltration and membrane capacitive deionisation (MCDI), was introduced as a scalable solution for producing safe drinking and deionised water for medical use.
Mr. Duc Dinh Ngoc trained participants on the MCDI technology, an energy-efficient method for salt and fluoride removal suitable for low-salinity water.

Dr. Joshua Wanyama discussed the water quality management protocols, outlining key physical, chemical, and biological water parameters and monitoring strategies, including modern IoT-based tools, to ensure water safety and public health.
The day concluded with a hands-on lab session by Dr. Prossie Nakawuka, where participants practiced water quality testing using turbidimeters, incubators, and filtration techniques.
Overall, Day Two combined theoretical insights, technology demonstrations, and practical skills, preparing participants to implement sustainable water treatment and quality management systems in healthcare environments.

Day Three: Refrigeration and Cold Storage
The third day of the SophiA workshop focused on sustainable refrigeration and cold storage technologies tailored for healthcare in Sub-Saharan Africa. Experts discussed energy-efficient, climate-friendly cooling solutions vital for vaccine storage, medicines, and diagnostics, especially in off-grid and rural settings.
Key highlights included the introduction of solar-powered and biomass-based refrigeration systems, thermal energy storage methods, and the use of natural refrigerants like propane, ammonia, and CO₂ as environmentally safer alternatives. Presentations emphasized the critical role of refrigeration in healthcare and the urgent need to replace harmful chemicals with sustainable technologies.
Sessions covered real-world applications such as the SophiA cooling containers in Burkina Faso, safety protocols for flammable refrigerants, and the environmental and economic benefits of solar refrigeration systems assessed through life cycle analysis.

The day ended with an interactive quiz and discussion, reinforcing learning and encouraging participants to apply sustainable cooling practices in their communities.
Day Four: World Refrigeration Day & Field Visit to Buvuma Island
The fourth day of the SophiA Train the Trainers workshop was dedicated to the celebration of the World Refrigeration Day and a field excursion to Buvuma Island, providing participants with a unique opportunity to witness the SophiA system in action. The day was coordinated by Dr. Sarah Bimbona and Dr. Nicholas Kiggundu, who led the delegation to Buvuma Health Centre IV, the pilot site for the SophiA installation in Uganda.

The visit served as both a practical extension of the previous day’s technical sessions and a community engagement event. Participants were able to observe the installed SophiA system, which integrates solar-powered refrigeration, water treatment and steam generation technologies designed for off-grid healthcare settings. During the visit, Dr. Kiggundu provided a detailed briefing to local stakeholders, including representatives from the Buvuma District Local Government, delegates from the Buganda Kingdom, and members of the local community. He explained how the SophiA system will enhance healthcare delivery on the island through reliable cold storage for vaccines and medicines, access to clean drinking water, and steam generated for cooking and use in the maternity wards.
As part of the long-term sustainability plan for the SophiA system, the launch of SophiA Water was announced, an entrepreneurial initiative designed to generate revenue locally for the operation and maintenance of the system.

The field trip ended with a certificate awarding ceremony in appreciation of the participants’ dedication and active engagement throughout the training programme.
Agriculture & Environment
APRC Trains Graduate Students & Stakeholders in the Use of the African Agriculture Adaptation Atlas
Published
2 weeks agoon
July 3, 2025
The Agricultural Policy Research Centre (APRC), housed within the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) at Makerere University, continues to play a pivotal role in shaping Uganda’s agricultural future through evidence-based policymaking. With a mission to ensure that agricultural policies are grounded in empirical research and data, APRC is actively investing in capacity-building initiatives that empower researchers, policymakers, and development actors.
In a significant stride toward building climate resilience in African agriculture, APRC recently organized a two-day intensive training workshop focused on the African Agriculture Adaptation Atlas (AAAA) – a state-of-the-art, web-based decision-support platform that facilitates the integration of climate data into agricultural planning and policy.

The workshop, held on Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th June 2025 at the School of Agricultural Sciences, Makerere University, targeted two key groups: graduate students on the first day, and university faculty, government officials, and development practitioners on the second. This structure ensured tailored learning experiences for both emerging and seasoned professionals, helping to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world policy implementation.
The African Agriculture Adaptation Atlas (AAAA) is designed to provide dynamic, data-rich visualizations that support informed decision-making in agriculture and food systems across the continent. Through interactive maps and analytical tools, users can explore projected climate impacts, evaluate risks, and identify localized, climate-smart adaptation strategies.

Throughout the sessions, participants received hands-on training in a broad range of AAAA functionalities, including:
- Leveraging the Atlas for research and policy communication: Enhancing the ability of scientists and policy actors to translate complex climate data into actionable insights;
- Assessing projected climate impacts and associated agricultural risks: Essential for forward-looking planning and risk mitigation;
- Identifying climate-smart investment options, with a particular focus on the livestock sector, which is especially vulnerable to climate shocks;
- Analysing gendered vulnerabilities: Examining how climate change disproportionately affects women in agricultural communities;
- Understanding the implications of heat stress on agricultural productivity: Supporting targeted interventions to protect producers and their livelihoods;
- Estimating the economic returns of adaptation strategies: Aiding in prioritizing investments and allocating limited resources effectively.

Prof. Bernard Bashaasha, the APRC Coordinator, emphasized the importance of the training in advancing Africa’s adaptation agenda. “As climate change continues to threaten food security and disrupt livelihoods across the continent, tools like the AAAA, and the skills to use them effectively are essential. They empower decision-makers to craft policies that are adaptive, inclusive, and rooted in science,” he noted.
The workshop was coordinated by Dr. Florence Rwiza, Lecturer in the Department of Agribusiness and Natural Resource Economics at CAES.
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