Acting Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Umar Kakumba extended a warm welcome to a delegation from the German Adult Education Association (DVV International), led by Board Chair Hon. Martin Rabanus. The delegation’s visit aimed to evaluate the impact of their longstanding partnership with Makerere University and the local community.
Since 1986, DVV International and Makerere University’s Department of Adult and Community Education have maintained a fruitful collaboration. Their joint efforts have primarily focused on enhancing teaching and learning in adult education. DVV International played a pivotal role in supporting the development and launch of the Master of Adult and Community Education (MACE) program in 2007. Graduates of this program have gone on to assume various roles as lecturers, program managers, development workers, and adult education trainers. Additionally, DVV International provided financial support to undergraduate students pursuing the Bachelor of Adult and Community Education (BACE), facilitating internships and practical training during their second-year recess term.
In a meeting held on April 15, 2024, Assoc. Prof. Kakumba expressed heartfelt appreciation to the German government for their enduring support. He highlighted Makerere University’s commitment to advancing adult education, evident through the establishment of Adult Education centers in Lira and Mbale.
DVV International’s contributions extend beyond teaching and learning, encompassing support for staff research and publications. Notable beneficiaries include Dr. Stella Achen and Dr. Twine Banakuka, among others. Moreover, the organization played a crucial role in renovating the building housing adult and community education in the early 1990s. It has also sponsored staff members to pursue advanced degrees at the Masters and PhD levels.
During the meeting, Prof. Kakumba appealed to Hon. Martin Rabanus to consider renewing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions, emphasizing the importance of ongoing training for adult educators.
In response, Hon. Martin Rabanus commended Makerere University for its remarkable achievements and the positive impact of their partnership. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to empower adults through education over the past four decades, underscoring the value of collaboration.
Also present at the meeting were Prof. Anthony Mugagga, Principal of the College of Education and External Studies (CEES), Dr. Harriet Nabushawo, Dean of the School of Distance and Lifelong Learning, and Dr. Stella Achen, Head of the Department of Adult and Community Education. Their collective presence symbolized the shared commitment to advancing adult education and fostering meaningful partnerships for mutual benefit.
