By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa/Umoja Standard.
Makerere University: On Tuesday, The US Ambassador to Uganda, H.E Natalie Brown represented by Ms. Amy Peterson officially launched the Makerere University Research, Grant Writing and Publication Centre.
The project will see Early Career Researchers (ECRs) boost their skills in this field.
In her speech, H.E Natalie E Brown the Ambassador of US Mission in Uganda who was represented by Amy Peterson, the Cultural Affairs Officer at the US Embassy in Kampala said that the project will support Makerere- Michigan State University’s collaboration and is part of a broader network of university partnerships that are supported by the Department of State, linking African universities with US universities.
She spoke about President Joe Biden’s Africa strategy citing areas of focus that include pandemic recovery, economic opportunities, and conservation launched in September 2022.
“US Mission is proud to have partnered with Makerere University for over 100 years, which has helped the university become a leading academic institution in East Africa. In 2022, the US mission participated in the university’s centenary celebrations, acknowledging the strong partnerships that have been established over the years”. Said H.E Natalie.
“US Mission is currently working with ten Colleges and departments of Makerere University in Uganda, and has partnerships with each of them a case in point School of Public Health, the development of the Infectious Diseases Institute, Agriculture and others”. She added.
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe commended the partners namely Makerere University, Michigan State University and US Mission in Uganda for this initiative that is anchored in the Makerere University ten-year Strategic Plan that stipulates the implementation of strategies aimed at transforming Makerere University into a research led University.
He highlighted how Makerere University has had a long-standing partnership with Michigan State University in different areas like Human and Veterinary medicine, agriculture and recently in the Humanities.
He urged the Early Career Researchers and the Research Managers to build their capacities and share experiences with their peers with the intention to grow further noting that they are the pillars for reaping dividends of being research-led’ in addition to being a springboard for strong postdoctoral collaborative research for both institutions and other US universities.
This he said in a speech that was conveyed on his behalf by the Director of Research and Graduate Training, Prof. Edward Bbaale
Addressing participants at the launch, Professor Fredrick J. Muyodi, the Principal Investigator on the Project currently he is as well the team leader from Makerere University’s Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences, believed that initiation of this project at the University will stir the capacity university’s research with efficiency.
He expressed confidence in early career researchers reckoning that they’re looking at them as a great asset regarding our vision of being research led university.
“We are happy to partner with United States based Michigan State University (MSU) in this project, their experience of over 20 years in this field will fuel Makerere University Research capacity”. Prof. Muyodi.
Professor Trixie G. Smith, the Project Co-Principal Investigator, the Director of the Writing Centre and the Red Cedar Writing Project at Michigan State University stressed that writing is a multipurpose tool that applies to various areas of study and subject matters with the ability to surpass personal characteristics such as gender, agency, and citizenship.
She said that writing creates a platform for new ideas but also solution because this brings about diverse thoughts that are at the end of the day impactful.
She alluded to the fact that partnership with African university in this regard Makerere University is key saying that it falls within Michigan State University’s strategic plan for 2030 that aims at promoting excellence, enhancing equity, and increasing influence.
She said that collaborating with stellar researchers and visionaries helps both to build on the abundance strengths each has to make global impact.