Makerere to honour Turkish President

The President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, will be on Wednesday be awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) by Makerere University.

The honour is in recognition of his distinguished contribution to serving humanity, transformation of Turkey and nation states across the globe, peace keeping and state building programmes at national and international levels and his partnership in the development of Uganda and Makerere University.

According to the Makerere University Statute (XIII), there are three categories of Honorary Degree Awards namely the Doctor of Science awarded for academic contribution in the field of science, the Doctor of Letters for academic contribution in the humanities and the Doctor of Laws for Public Service and eminent statespersons.

The Makerere University Chancellor, Prof. Ezra Suruma will confer the prestigious award at a colourful ceremony to be held in the University Main Hall.

The recommendation to award Erdoğan an honorary Doctor of Laws of Makerere University successfully passed through all the vetting procedures.

It follows his successful nomination by the Department of Religion and Peace Studies, School of Liberal and Performing Arts, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) to the Honorary Awards Committee and subsequent consideration by the University Senate.

The award is in accordance with Section 47 (i) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act 2001, which stipulates that the University Senate may consider conferring an Honorary Degree upon any person who has excelled in any sector of life as it may deem fit on the recommendation of an Honorary Degrees Committee established jointly by the Senate and the University Council. 

Erdogan is the 12th President of the Republic of Turkey and the first to be elected by popular vote. He has previously served as the Prime Minister of Turkey, Mayor of Istanbul and is the founder of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party).

Makerere University has greatly benefited from Erdogan's pro-development leadership style.

Through the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) the Makerere University's Peace and Conflict Studies Centre (PCSC) received ICT equipment worth sh100m to enhance the smooth running of the Peace and Conflict Studies program.

Negotiations between Makerere and TIKA are still ongoing for further support towards the construction of a state-of-the-art home for the PCSC which will include lecture theatres, office space for staff, conference facilities, visiting lecturers' research facilities, an e-Learning centre and baby care facilities. 

At a National level Erdogan's government annually offers a minimum of 60 scholarships under various disciplines to eligible Ugandans, to study in Turkey.

Additionally, the Turkish Government has contributed towards the renovation and oftentimes expansion of schools and is spearheading poverty eradication in Uganda by encouraging Turkish investment in agriculture value addition and infrastructure development.

Annually, 30 journalists are taken to Turkey for training in Media for Peace and sustainable development, not to mention capacity building of the Ugandan armed forces through training and provision of equipment.

On the African continent, Erdogan took a bold step by establishing an Embassy in Somalia and has significantly contributed to democratic state building efforts, as well as humanitarian interventions in the face of drought and famine.

The President has also championed efforts to make education systems in Africa more relevant and rewarding to the recipients so as to promote meaningful development.

To help achieve this, an Academic and Scientific Cooperation protocol was signed between the Turkish Government and 40 Vice Chancellors from African countries, including Makerere University's Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu. 

Furthermore, on the world scene, Erdogan's leadership, Turkey has been ranked the number one country in terms Overseas Development Aid and is ranked number two in terms of Development Assistance especially to the Balkans, Central Asia & Caucasus, and African countries.

Erdogan has also championed the wellbeing of the multitude of migrants that have either found themselves in Turkey or have been returned to Turkey from mainly European countries.

Turkey currently hosts more than three million refugees.