Stephen Wandera, cohort 2, Makerere University, was nominated for the prestigious Vice Chancellor’s Research Excellence Award 2025. This nomination recognizes his outstanding contributions to research excellence. The award ceremony took place on January 14, 2025, during the Convocation luncheon, following the 75^th graduation ceremony of Makerere. We congratulate Stephen on this significant achievement and commend his dedication to advancing research within his field.

Source: CARTA Newsletter Issue 85

This report on mapping research in education intends to ignite debate on completion of doctoral studies to improve on doctoral throughput, and reflect on emerging research themes in order to strengthen and increase on evidence-based research from the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) that can address a myriad of education related challenges in Uganda and beyond. The College of Education and External Studies (CEES) is one of the ten (10) constituent colleges of Makerere University. Makerere University aspires to be research-led in the current strategic period, 2020-2030 and as CEES journeys ‘Towards a Research-led College’, it is prudent to take stock of research capacity by analyzing PhD graduates of the period 2012-2024 and continuing PhD students admitted by 2022/2023 as well as the emerging research themes in CEES.

First, the total number of PhD completers was 121 in the period 2012-2024 out of whom only six (6) completed in less than 5 years, which is only 5 percent. This is a worrying statistic since at Makerere University, an institutional average of 41% of registered PhD students is reported to complete within four (4) years. Apparently, majority of the completers in CEES complete in 5-9 years represented by 86 PhD graduates. In the same way, among the continuing PhD students, only 59 out of 194 PhD students have spent 3-4 years on the programme perhaps because their year of admission is relatively recent. Second, the research themes that the doctoral research focuses on were explored. Nineteen (19) out of 121 PhD graduates had researched on human resource management, eleven (11) focused on technology in education, eleven (11) on pedagogy/teaching and learning, and only five (5) on inclusive education among others. In the continuing student cohort, there is a surge in students researching on pedagogy /teaching and learning (24), technology in education (20), inclusive education (16), and emergence of a research theme on STEM Education/TVET (17) out of 194 continuing PhD students.

To compound the research themes at CEES, PhD student and academic staff research funded by the Government of Uganda through Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (MakRIF) focused on quite similiar themes. Finally, areas of research that have been dominant across specialities in CEES in the last and next 5-10 years were highlighted by 28 academic staff at different ranks who responded to a survey. Overall, this report presents us with an opportunity to further reflect on the CEES Research Agenda, how to tap and maximize the potential of expertise in CEES, how to harness the diverse PhD research in education and research by academic staff in order to strongly generate impactful research and innovations, and contribute to policy and practice through policy briefs, knowledge briefs, and guidelines for uptake in education and the education system.

Ronald Bisaso, PhD. FUNAS.
Associate Professor of Higher Education and Deputy Principal, CEES.

The Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) is pleased to announce the upcoming Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training Course, scheduled to take place from February 26^th to 28^th, 2025 at the MakCHS Conference Room.

Background
Organized under the SUSTAIN Program, this course is designed to promote excellence in research ethics by equipping participants with a framework that integrates established scientific, professional norms, and ethical principles in research activities.

Course Objectives
Participants will gain the knowledge and skills to identify, manage, and prevent research misconduct, ensuring adherence to ethical standards.

Course Outline
Topics include:

• Introduction to Professionalism and Ethics
• Human Subjects Protection and Regulatory Framework in Uganda
• Humane Handling of Animal Research Subjects
• Mentor-Mentee Relationships
• Conflict of Interest Management
• Collaborative Research (International, Industry)
• Responsible Financial Management
• Data Acquisition, Management, Sharing, and Ownership
• Responsible Authorship and Communication

Target Audience
This course is ideal for:

• Researchers and Research Administrators
• Research Assistants and Study Coordinators
• Graduate Students and Supervisors

Course Fee: UGX 205,000 or USD 56
The fee covers meals and refreshments during the training.

Payment & Registration Details
Payments should be made to:

• UGX Account: 9030005655047, Stanbic Bank Uganda Ltd, Makerere University College of Health Sciences Research
• USD Account: 8705613993904, Standard Chartered Bank, MAK CHS NIH

Please share payment proof via email or WhatsApp and bring a hardcopy deposit slip on the first day of training to:

Miriam Musazi
Department of Anatomy, Bioethics Centre, Room C4
Mobile: +256 782 363 996 / +256 701 363 996
Email: mmusazi@gmail.com

Registration Deadline: February 21, 2025

Please note that only fully registered participants by this date will be admitted.

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your research ethics skills and network with professionals committed to advancing ethical research practices.