By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa/Umoja Standard.
Kampala, Uganda: Makerere University has today during Vice Chancellor’s press briefing outlined a number of strategies that are already being implemented in a bid to strengthen the safety and well-being of students as part of University’s Strategic plan 2020/2030.
Speaking to journalists, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University said that they are cognizant of increasing concerns and emerging needs of addressing risks and safety for students, staff and different stakeholders within and outside the campus.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor of Makerere University addresses press. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
He stressed that they are aware that providing a safe and conducive environment is critical to ensuring that staff, University programmes and operations run smoothly and effectively to achieve the strategic mission of the University and contribute to the development of Uganda.
Some of the areas the University would like to safeguard include academic or learning spaces, accommodation spaces in and outside the University campus, administrative and support services spaces, walk ways and other public spaces in the university, Research, Field work and Internship placement spaces, campaigns and election of student leadership, sports and games competition and others.
He outlined a number of policies, guidelines and their implementation frameworks as mechanisms to have this come to pass among which are;
Policy and Regulations against Sexual Harassment (as amended 2018).
The Gender Equality Policy, 2009 (as amended),
The student Regulation 2018,
The Human Resource Manual (as amended 2022),
Policy on Students with Disabilities, 2014 (under review by Council),among others.
(L-R), Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, Academic Registrar of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor of Makerere University & Dr. Umar Kakumba, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs are seen during Vice Chancellor’s Press briefing. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
Mr. Nawangwe told press that all these interventions are aimed at creating an avenue where;
Student leaders and representatives shall be actively engaged in risk mapping and Identification of desirable actions,
Confidential and Responsive Reporting and Management systems shall be established to enable reporting and managing of incidences,
All students both undergraduate and graduate, Staff both Academic and administrative will be called upon to participate in the process of formulating the policy and later its implementation, Monitoring and evaluation,
The University partners especially Accommodation facilities shall be key stakeholders in the process.
In the same regard, Mrs. Winifred Kabumbuli, the Dean of Students of Makerere University clarified that the University’s strategic plan on safety and well-being of students seeks to accredit hostels and alternative accommodation for students.
She informed that they have already established Accreditation committee to engage with Hostel Owners Association to smoothen the goal.
“Memorandum of Understanding is to be signed between Makerere University and Hostel Owners Association prior accreditation of Hostels, this will help in monitoring the welfare of students”. Said Mrs. Kabumbuli.
She added that under her office, there is enhancement of Support services where they have established Grievance Management Desk and have already appointed a Student Liaison Officer as well a designated point of contact for reporting concerns and incidences.
Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Beine, the Director Gender Mainstreaming Directorate at Makerere University stated that since 2018 when the Gender Mainstreaming Policy was put in place, they have been able to track fully and sacked six members of staff involved in sexual harassment, completed five investigations.
She added that since 2018, they have been able to cite 30 cases of sexual harassment where some are undergoing information gathering to enable the University take serious action.
“Makerere University emphasizes zero tolerance to sexual harassment and the above statistics have been possible due to the many channels established by the University counter the vice”. Said Dr. Beine.
On core academics, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, the Academic Registrar of Makerere University told members of Press that ‘We are already a research-led University but in a bid to become more and more, were have taken a deliberate decision to reduce the number of undergraduate students and increase that of graduates to realize our vision of having a high number of those engaging in research’.
He said, ‘if we are to optimally contribute to the vision, then we need to increase enrolment of graduate students in the university’.
“Our vision by 2030 is to graduate at least 200 PhD students in a single graduation year”. He added.
He stated that at the moment, every college has a research committee that envisions the University’s goal of being research led University.
Adding to his Voice, Dr. Umar Kakumba, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs informed that in 2000, when a deliberate decision was taken that to be a lecturer, one must have a PhD, there were only 10% holders in the entire University but as of now, they constitute to 75% which he says, is a wonderful direction.
Responding to how ably members of staff can acquire a PhD, Dr. Kakumba said that ‘when a member of staff registers for PhD at Makerere, his/her tuition is catered for throughout the entire process and remains on the payroll. Therefore, I encourage members of staff to tap into this opportunity’.
Other issues that were highlighted were operationalization of Innovation hub that was established in 2022 under Vice Chancellor’s Office with space and staff for take-off through development of strategic plan, guidelines and mapping key players in the ecosystem.
In this UGX 2.7 billion has been allocated to for commercialization of innovation projects and at the moment 40 of these are going through the process of intellectual property to commercialize.
As well the University is in the process of introducing Mindset Education Course that is aimed at decolonization of African minds for all students that enroll at the University after approval.
It will be a cross-cutting Course Unity that will reflect on every student’s academic document upon completion but will not be considered on their overall grade.
This course is being developed at School of Psychology currently.