Makerere University has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with five prominent universities. The agreement, formalized on May 24, 2024, brings together the University of Addis Ababa (AAU), the University of Rwanda (UR), Makerere University (Mak), Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (UEM), the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), and Jönköping University, Sweden.
The newly established collaboration aims to address critical institutional constraints that have hindered the development of high-quality postgraduate programs in the region. These challenges include a shortage of senior researchers and professors available for supervision, as well as limited funding for research. By pooling resources and expertise, the partnership seeks to overcome these obstacles and significantly enhance the quality of postgraduate education and research output within the member institutions.
During the signing of the MoU on behalf of Makerere University, the Ag. Vice Chancellor, Prof. Umar Kakumba, emphasized the importance of leveraging collective strengths to enhance academic excellence and research impact. He expressed optimism that the collaboration would create new opportunities for faculty and students to engage in cutting-edge research and contribute to addressing pressing societal challenges.
The implementation of the MoU at Makerere University will be overseen by the Departments of Policy and Development Economics within the School of Economics. The signing ceremony was attended by Lars Hartvigson, the Director of International Development Collaboration at Jönköping University, who highlighted his institution’s commitment to transforming the collaboration into a joint venture among the six institutions.
The overarching goal of this partnership is to enhance understanding of management and economic sciences, equipping leaders in the public and private sectors with the skills necessary to drive national and regional growth and development. Specific objectives include improving the quality of teaching and supervision in postgraduate programs, increasing research output among faculty members, and enhancing the utilization of research findings by policymakers.
To achieve these objectives, the partnership has outlined a series of activities, including staff exchanges for teaching and supervision roles, student exchanges, joint research projects and publications, collaborative research dissemination, capacity-building seminars, and the development and delivery of customized short courses. Additionally, the partnership aims to facilitate information exchange on research opportunities and publications and jointly write grant proposals aligned with its objectives.
Prof. Eria Hisali, the Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences at Makerere University, emphasized the significance of the partnership in advancing higher education in East Africa. He stated that the MoU marked a pivotal moment for the region, aiming to create a robust educational framework that elevates academic standards and fosters socio-economic development.
This partnership is expected to create a dynamic and integrated educational ecosystem, promoting excellence in research and higher education.
He added that as the universities embark on this collaborative journey, they set a precedent for regional cooperation and intellectual advancement, ultimately contributing to the broader goals of national and regional development.
