Makerere Engineering College gets first female boss

May 18, 2014

Makerere University is set to appoint renowned designer Dr. Venny Mary Nakazibwe as its new deputy principal for the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT).

By Innocent Anguyo

Makerere University is set to appoint renowned designer Dr. Venny Mary Nakazibwe as its new deputy principal for the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT).

Nakazibwe who has been the dean of the Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Arts since 2010 beat Dr. Stephen Mukiibi, the head of department, Architecture and Physical Planning in a hotly-contested election conducted recently.

Nakazibwe garnered 50 votes to Mukiibi’s 29.  She awaits appointment by the University Chancellor Prof Mondo Kagonyera, after being cleared by the Senate and Council.

Her private work can be found in Sankaranka Gallery, New York; Makerere Art Gallery; Switzerland; Kulturhuset Fregatten, Sweden; and Sheraton Kampala Hotel

Nakazibwe holds a PhD in Art History of Middlesex University, UK (2005).  She also holds Post Graduate Diploma in Education (1997); Master of Arts in Fine Art (1995); and Bachelor of Art in Fine Art (1989)-all of Makerere University.

She joined Makerere in 1992 as a teaching assistant in the Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Arts.

Nakazibwe replaces Assoc. Prof Mackay Okure who has been the acting deputy principal of CEDAT, since 2011.

According to CEDAT spokesperson Betty Kyakuwa, Makerere has also appointed Assoc. Prof Henry Mwanaki Alinaitwe as the new principal of the college. He has been the dean of the school of built environment.

Alinaitwe has PhD in Engineering (2008) and Licentiate Degree in Engineering (2006)-both from Lund University, Sweden. In 1997, he acquired Master of Science degree in Construction Management of Loughborough University, UK.

Earlier, in 1994, he obtained Master of Engineering Studies degree in Structures of University of Sydney, Australia. He also holds Bachelor of Science degree (Civil Engineering option) of Makerere (1990).

Alinaitwe fills the void created by Prof Barnabas Nawangwe who is now the Makerere University Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration.

CEDAT was formed from a merger of two academic units including Faculty of Technology and Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Arts.

With a student population of 2,892 and academic staff of 227, the college is among the largest at Makerere University.

In recent years, the college has steadily moved from traditional classroom teaching to more learner-centred pedagogy, which is largely anchored on research and innovation.

The college now regarded as “the home of innovation in Uganda.” Popular innovations from the college include the Kira EV electric car; Kayoola solar-powered bus; Machine to produce electricity from biomass; robots; design for convertible houses; fruit driers; fruit processors; unique art pieces; bomb detectors; computerized security systems; pads from papyrus; low-cost water pump among others.

Prominent alumni of the college include Eng. Abraham Byandala, the minister of transport and works; Eng Gabriel Ajedra, the minister of state for investment; Minister of State for Energy Eng. Simon Du'jang; Eng Irene Muloni, Minister for energy and minerals; Eng Hillary Onek; Dr. Charles Wana‐Etyem, Makerere Council Chairman among others.
 

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