In a speech at Makerere University’s 2nd Annual NORHED Week on October 2, 2023, Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero, the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MoSTI), emphasized the need for researchers to connect their work to the economy. Musenero highlighted that research findings in Africa and Uganda often remain unused and uncommercialized. She stressed the importance of research producing industry-ready prototypes for economic growth, in alignment with the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Agenda’s value chain approach.
Musenero expressed concerns that research efforts would not yield their full potential without a focus on industrialization and commercialization. She praised the Norwegian Government and people for their continuous support of higher education institutions in Uganda, emphasizing the need for ongoing collaboration.
The NORHED Week, organized by the Norwegian Programme for Capacity Development in Higher Education and Research for Development (NORHED) and the Norwegian Embassy, aims to provide a platform for researchers funded by the NORHED II program to share experiences and explore potential collaborations across various projects. This year’s focus was on translating research into practical applications that can have social, economic, and political impacts.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe noted the success of training over 300 PhDs through NORAD and NORHED Programs at Makerere University. He also highlighted the university’s efforts in rolling out countrywide incubation centers to address issues such as poverty, climate change, food security, and youth unemployment.
Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, the NORHED Institutional Coordinator, discussed Makerere University’s participation in 19 of Uganda’s 21 NORHED II projects across various sectors. The collaboration between Makerere University and Norway has been instrumental in driving Uganda’s knowledge economy since the 1990s.
The NORHED Week featured keynote presentations, discussions, and the participation of delegates, emphasizing the role of research in advancing society and addressing local challenges. A total of 60 projects were awarded under NORHED II funding, running from 2021 to 2026. Besides Makerere University, the collaboration also involves other Ugandan universities, including Uganda Christian University, Kyambogo University, Gulu University, Uganda Martyrs University, and Makerere University Business School.