By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa, Umoja Standard.
Kampala, Uganda: Makerere University has made significant strides in research, innovation, and academic affairs. Tuesday, at Press Conference, Professor Nawangwe highlighted the university’s commitment to generating and disseminating knowledge that directly impacts communities and supports Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
The university has introduced a new Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Professor Sara Ssali, who brings a wealth of experience in academia and research. Professor Ssali’s distinguished career at Makerere University spans over two decades, with notable positions including Acting Director of the Institute of Gender and Women’s Studies and Dean of the School of Women and Gender Studies. Her appointment underscores the university’s commitment to academic excellence and leadership.
Makerere University’s research endeavors are focused on addressing real-world problems and contributing to Uganda’s socio-economic development. One notable achievement he revealed, is the development of an anti-tick vaccine by the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity. The vaccine has demonstrated an efficacy rate of 86% and is expected to reduce calf mortality by 14% and improve productivity across the livestock value chain. The university has also established facilities for the production of the vaccine in partnership with Alpha Sun, a local company.
The university has strengthened its partnership with Kiira Motors Corporation through the acquisition of three modern buses, including an electric bus. The buses will enhance mobility for students and staff, particularly those with special needs, and promote sustainable transport and green technology. This partnership reflects the university’s commitment to promoting innovation and sustainability.
Nawangwe also noted that, the University has taken steps to enhance student freedoms and participation in leadership. After a period of suspension, student guild elections have resumed, and the university is committed to providing a platform for intellectual debate and free expression. Professor Nawangwe inked the importance of balancing freedom with responsibility and promoting peaceful and respectful campaigns.
The university is establishing specialized research centers, including the Centre for the Study of Space, Centre for the Study of Blockchain, and Centre for Nuclear Energy. These centers will enable the university to conduct cutting-edge research and provide solutions to real-world problems. The centers will also provide opportunities for students and staff to engage in innovative research and contribute to the country’s development.
The university’s innovation hub, which has been upgraded to the Makerere University Technology and Innovation Centre (MUTIC), provides a platform for nurturing and incubating ideas into companies. MUTIC has state-of-the-art facilities, including computer-aided design rooms, textile space, electrical spaces, and multimedia studios. The center is open to students, staff, and the public, and provides a conducive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Professor Sara Ssali, the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, told the public that Makerere University’s research endeavors respond to societal needs through partnerships between academics and industry.
“Each and every discipline in a university, the faculty have been encouraged to undertake research that responds to societal needs,” she said. She pointed out various research areas, including agriculture, health sciences, and education, and noted that the university has a research and innovation fund to support these initiatives.
She also emphasized the importance of disseminating research findings and involving the media in this process.
Professor Buyinza Mukadasi assured that Makerere University has automated its academic management system, ACMIS, centralizing academic records and facilitating efficient retrieval and quality assurance. “By click of a button on my cell phone, I can see all the students with complete academic records due for graduation,” he said, adding that the student clearance system has been streamlined, making it easier for students to obtain transcripts once they meet their financial and library obligations.
He confided that the university has the necessary infrastructure, including computers, printers, and specialized human resources, to produce transcripts efficiently and on time.
Responding to students allowances question, Dean of Students, Dr Winifred Kabumbuli revealed that, they paid 100% living allowances, also paid helpers to students with disabilities, 100%. “Additionally, we have also paid food allowances, 60.3%. And the remaining balance is going to be paid as soon as we get money has been released from government. The remaining balance is only 39.7% of food allowance, which will be paid as soon as we get money from government for quarter two,” said Dr. Kabumbuli.
On the same matter, the Guild President Makerere University, H.E Churchill James Ssentamu noted, “While we appreciate the commitment from the administration to lobbying these funds, our response is to ask government to consider a term release of second quarter funds to the university, so that students can really get the remaining batch of money that is supposed to fill up their food allowances, because it’s become their issue.”
“I’ve engaged in different meetings with the vice-chancellor, the university bursar and on the administration side, they are committed to disbursing this money as soon as it is received in the university accounts. So ours is to ask the Ministry of Finance to kindly consider expediting the process of releasing the second quarter funds to the university, ‘ he emphasized.
