MAKERERE UNIVERSITY
P.O. Box 7062 Tel: (Gen) +256-414-532631/4
Kampala Uganda Fax: +256-414-541068
Website: http://mak.ac.ug E-mail:
OFFICE OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE
Monday, August 01, 2011
To: Members of Staff
THE 20TH VICE-CHANCELLOR’S MONTHLY PRESS BRIEFING, HELD ON MONDAY 1ST AUGUST, 2011
Introduction
The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Venansius Baryamureeba presented on behalf of the University Management. The participating unit was the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT).
In attendance were:
(i) Professor Venansius Baryamureeba – Ag. Vice Chancellor
(ii) Dr. Sandy Stevens Tickodri-Togboa – Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (F/A)
(iii) Dr. Mackay Okure – Ag. Deputy Principal, CEDAT
(iv) Dr. Joseph K. Byaruhanga – Professor, CEDAT
(v) Mr. Bernard Kariko – Buhwezi–Director, Technology Development and Transfer Centre (TDTC)
(vi) Mr. Ntege Gonzaga – Researcher, Technology Development and Transfer Centre (TDTC)
(vii) Mr. Mugarura Richard – Managing Director, Richiencoy Services Ltd
(viii) Mr. Paul Isaac Musasizi – Operations Manager, ARMS
(ix) Mr. Joshua Tendo – Software Developer, ARMS
(x) Ms. Lillian Cissy Nakasujja – Software Developer, ARMS
(xi) Ms. Ritah Namisango – Ag. Senior PRO, Public Relations Office
(xii) Ms. Betty Kyakuwa – Communication Officer, CEDAT
(xiii) Ms. Jane Anyango – Communication Officer, CAES
(xiv) Mr. Elias Tuhereze – Web Administrator, Public Relations Office
(xv) Mr. Mark Wamai – Web Manager, Public Relations Office
(xvi) Mr. Issa Agaba Mugabo – Brand and Marketing Officer, Public Relations Office
(xvii) Mrs. Maureen Mayanja – Administrative Assistant, Public Relations Office
(xviii) Ms. Peninah Nakandi – Student Intern, Public Relations Office
PRESENTATIONS
1.0 Presentation from the Vice Chancellor
Makerere University 10th Best University in Africa
According to the webometrics University rankings (http://www.webometrics.info/top100_continent.asp?cont=africa) that were published on 30th July 2011, Makerere University has been ranked the 10th best University in Africa, the 9th best University in Sub-Saharan Africa and the 1,256th best University in the world. Makerere University still remains the best University in Africa outside South Africa that has the top 8 best Universities in Africa and Egypt that has one University (Cairo University) in the 9th position on the African continent. This is the 2nd consecutive time webometrics is ranking Makerere University at the 10th position. With the collegiate system in place coupled with improved service delivery, implementation of student centered learning supported by ICTs and increased research outputs, come December 2011 Makerere University will be ranked among the top 6 Universities in Africa.
Top African Universities, 30th July 2011
WORLD RANK (W) SIZE (S) VISIBILITY (V) RICH FILES (R) SCHOLAR (SCR)
CONTINENT RANK UNIVERSITY W S V R SCR
1 University of Cape Town 324 315 402 305 357
2 University of Pretoria 507 452 723 700 130
3 Stellenbosch University 540 534 856 421 186
4 University of the Witwatersrand 699 1,401 868 936 214
5 University of Kwazulu Natal 727 837 947 993 289
6 Rhodes University 1,083 1,165 1,530 1,140 675
7 University of the Western Cape 1,156 1,206 1,831 1,132 943
8 Cairo University 1,219 1,605 1,639 1,802 784
9 University of South Africa 1,221 891 2,855 1,989 584
10 Makerere University 1,256 1,007 4,093 1,326 689
11 American University in Cairo 1,357 2,030 1,909 1,731 1,147
12 University of Johannesburg 1,395 2,214 4,125 1,301 799
13 Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology
1,559 2,102 2,025 4,862 869
14 Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
1,586 1,488 5,564 2,330 99
18 University of Khartoum 2,112 2,545 1,070 7,978 1,781
21 Addis Ababa University 2,183 3,178 6,183 5,608 681
26 University of Nairobi 2,452 2,045 4,215 4,942 1,706
29 University of Ghana 2,823 2,313 3,747 6,960 1,756
38 University of Dar es Salaam 3,438 2,589 4,395 3,962 4,024
39 University of Mauritius 3,438 3,367 4,862 2,460 4,932
40 Strathmore University Nairobi 3,445 1,832 5,887 4,059 3,548
1.1 Makerere University Business School (MUBS) to become other degree awarding institution
Section 82A of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act 2001 (as amended) provides for the establishment of other degree awarding institutions as follows:
(1) The Minister responsible for Education may, by statutory instrument, on the recommendation of the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) and by resolution of Parliament, establish any Other Degree Awarding Institution as a public Tertiary institution.
(2) The NCHE shall, within thirty days of the publication of the statutory instrument in the Gazette, register any Other Degree Awarding Institution.
The Statutory instrument to transform Makerere University Business School (MUBS) into Metropolitan (Uganda) Business School (MUBS) is now before Parliament.
Once the process is complete, Makerere University is going to ensure a smooth transition. The students at MUBS already registered for and those to be admitted to Makerere University degree programmes shall continue to be Makerere University students and shall be awarded degrees of Makerere University. In addition Metropolitan (Uganda) Business School (MUBS) will still have the opportunity to have some of its academic programmes affiliated to Makerere University for as long as the curricula are acceptable to Makerere University Senate and Council.
In summary, we shall look forward to continued collaboration with Metropolitan (Uganda) Business School (MUBS) as we have continued to do so with the other degree awarding institution i.e. Uganda Management Institute (UMI) and other public Universities.
1.2 Transcripts and Certificates for Students Graduating in January 2012
The students that are scheduled to graduate in January 2012 shall have their transcripts ready for collection by November 2011. The certificates for all graduands of January 2012 shall be issued on the same day of graduation. Students who expect to graduate in January 2012 are therefore required to clear with the University as soon as possible to avoid last minute problems. The list of the students who shall have fulfilled the requirements for the award of diplomas and conferment of degrees of Makerere University for the January 2012 graduation shall be published in the papers in November 2011 to allow those with genuine complaints to raise them before the final graduation booklet can be printed.
2.0 Presentation from the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology
2.1 Makerere University takes low cost irrigation to farmers
Most peasant agriculture depends on rain as a source of water/moisture for the soil, and scarcity of rainfall often results in widespread crop failure and famine. Unfortunately over the last few decades, climate change has meant that rainfall patterns have become unpredictable. The frequent crop failure has resulted in widespread food shortages, famine, and death. Owing to Uganda’s reliance on agriculture as a source of income, widespread poverty has also set in, thereby slowing economic growth and development.
Students and lecturers at the Makerere University College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology have therefore designed and manufactured a low cost water pump to help farmers reduce the costs of irrigation. The Low cost irrigation project is also engaged in testing this pump and educating farmers on the different types of irrigation let alone the importance of it.
The pump that uses 2 horse-powers can deliver 100litres of water per minute up to a height of 20metres. It costs UShs500.000 and can be purchased at the college. However, work is on-going to bring the cost down to UShs300.000 so as to make it more affordable for farmers.
“Through this project farmers in rural areas especially in western Uganda (Kasese) and Soroti have been helped to start irrigating their crops. Workshops have been organized where the communities have been able learn about the different technologies needed in irrigation such as pumps, pipes, sprinklers, channels and drip lines”, said Prof. Joseph K. Byaruhanga, the Project Principal Investigator. They have also learnt the different types of irrigation, which include; solar irrigation, gravity irrigation, and engine driven irrigation. All these are affordable ways of irrigating gardens.
The project has trained about 500 Local Government officials including National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) staff and water officials on the methods of irrigation, and the benefits thereof. Another 500 farmers have also been trained. The aim of training Local Government officials is to have a big number of people that can educate the poor farmers.
The project has acquired 20acres of land in Masindi from the District Administration. The land is going to serve as demonstration ground for farmers in this and neighbouring districts. Future plans include extending the project to Busoga region, Lira and Gulu districts.
Through irrigation, farmers can produce crops all year round; hence reduce the costs of food products. This will be of great advantage to farmers, who will be able to sell their produce during the off-season. The most common grown crops include Maize, Upland Rice, Beans, Mangoes, Bananas, Cabbage, Eggplants, Pineapples, Chillies, Watermelon, Flowers, Tomatoes, Peppers (yellow, red, green), Potatoes, Oranges and Onions. All these can flourish when supplied with adequate water.
The College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology wishes to thank the President of Uganda, H.E Yoweri Museveni for the continued support to research and innovation. The irrigation project, among others has been funded through the Presidential Initiative on Technology Innovations.
2.2 Makerere develops locally made helmets for Boda-boda cyclists
Makerere University, through the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology, has partnered with Design without Borders (DwB), Richiencoy, and Injury Control Centre Uganda (ICC-U) to develop a helmet that is low priced, attractive and readily available for motorcycle riders and passengers.
The helmet, named ‘B pro’ has been designed to suit the East African climate, and fit within the local production capabilities at an affordable price of just UShs20.000/=. The aim of this project is to encourage more frequent helmet use among cyclists/ boda-boda riders and passengers. The other goals are; development of the Ugandan economy by local production of safety equipment, and development of local technological/manufacturing capability. The commercial production and testing of the helmet to be undertaken by Richiencoy Services Ltd will commence in September, 2011.
Before the designing and development of this helmet, field research was conducted to understand the problems and the challenges that the new helmet would address. Research was also carried out in Kigali-Rwanda, to understand how they have succeeded in making both passengers and riders wear helmets. Additionally, a focus group of 4 local boda-boda riders was created and consulted throughout the year. They gave input on everything from technical solutions to aesthetics.
Helmet use amongst boda-boda riders and passengers in Uganda is low. Low percentage of helmet use is one of the reasons why motorcycle riders and passengers make up 75% percent of injuries reported in hospitals in Kampala.
“A helmet can substantially reduce head and neck injuries to motorcycle riders. A 40% reduction of the risk of fatal crashes and a 30% drop of the risk of severe injury is achievable”, Eng. Dr. Bernard Kariko-Buhwezi, the Principal Investigator of the project remarked.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the injury rate and head injury severity is less by almost 75% when a helmet is worn, yet ownership of helmets amongst boda-boda riders in Uganda is estimated at only 70%, and less than half of these helmets are actually used. Furthermore, passengers are rarely seen wearing helmets.
In addition to the studies already carried out by the ICC-U, boda-boda riders and passengers were surveyed at over 40 stages in Kampala and Mbale. The survey revealed some of the reasons for non-use of helmets among riders and passengers as: The high cost (up to UShs100.000) of internationally approved helmets vis-à-vis the low daily income of the riders; The riders seldom own motorcycles and often hire both helmet and machine from their owners; Riders prefer brand-new to used second-hand motorcycle helmets; Helmets available on the local market are uncomfortable and ill-fitting; Helmets are poorly ventilated and easily heat up; For health reasons passengers do not want to wear a used helmet; Riders often have difficulty hearing directions with helmets on and therefore lose customers.
2.3 Makerere mobile phone client to ease student access to results
The Academic Records Management System (ARMS) Project funded through the Presidential Initiative on Technology Innovations is an engineering research entity committed to the successful development of high-quality and reliable web systems.
The ARMS Project has now developed a Mobile Phone Client for its Student Portal (SP) Online Service Centre. The client aims at enabling the Student Community to easily access their most needed services from anywhere using a Mobile Phone with Internet access.
In so doing, the ARMS Project is fronting the handiness of the Student Portal (SP) services like Efficient Online Registration, Online Student Evaluation of Teaching, Online Students’ Informer Services, and Grading, using the most widely available device in the university. The ARMS Project is aware that leveraging the emerging technologies in mobile communications shall go a long way in availing ARMS SP services in a compatible and optimized format on the mobile phone, for the benefit of the student community.
The ARMS Student Portal (ARMS SP) is one of the five (5) Online Service Centres of the system, which is a scalable, robust, versatile, user-centric, web based system, designed to meet the information support needs of Higher Education Institutions. The other four are; The ARMS Internal Course Examiner’s Portal (ARMS ICEP), ARMS Management Information Systems (ARMS MIS), ARMS Administrator’s Portal (ARMS AP), and the ARMS Prospective Students Portal (ARMS PSP) for student applications, admission management and application tracking.
The ARMS Project is confident of meeting the needs of Higher Education Institutions based on its design, achieved through actively promoting systematic, disciplined and proven approaches of technology development. The ARMS Project is therefore nurturing engineering students of Makerere University as patrons for eloquent and balanced application of modern-day methodologies, tools, techniques and guidelines, to meet unique requirements of Web Information Systems for Higher Education Institutions, E-Governance, and E-Health amongst others.
The ARMS SP Mobile Phone Client is therefore a timely technological intervention, expected to improve Student responsiveness to Academic Records Management by providing a flexible and reliable tool for use.
………………………………We Build For the Future……………………………..
Sincerely: Ms. Ritah Namisango, Ag. Senior Public Relations Officer, Makerere University, and Communication Officer, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
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