The 8 resolutions from 7th Annual Higher Education Conference

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 7TH ANNUAL HIGHER EDUCATION CONFERENCE 

The 7th Annual Higher Education Conference, 2026 concluded on Tuesday (March 24) in Uganda's northern city of Gulu with a call to continue strengthening collaboration, advancing research and innovation, and working collectively towards improving the quality and relevance of higher education in Uganda and beyond.  

The conference was organised by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) under theme: 'Harnessing Innovation in Higher Education for Accelerated Economic Transformation'.

As the chief guest, justice minister and Laroo-Pece MP-elect Norbert Mao opened the conference on Monday, paving the way for a series of thoughtful discussions and sharing of ideas and valuable research findings.

Here is a look at the eight resolutions from the two-day conference attended by higher education institutions representatives, researchers, regulators, education development partners, private sector representatives and policymakers/government:

 ACTION POINT 1 

Establish a National Research and Innovation Fund as proposed in the fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) to ensure sustainable financing for research and innovation.

Responsible stakeholders:

▪️Education ministry
▪️Finance ministry, National Planning Authority
▪️National Council for Higher Education

Time frame: 2026-2029
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 ACTION POINT 2 a) 

Develop a framework for accessing the National Research and Innovation Fund by both private and public higher education institutions.

Responsible stakeholders:

▪️Education ministry
▪️National Council for Higher Education
▪️Parliamentary Committee on Education & Sports
▪️Finance ministry

Time frame: 2026-2028
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 ACTION POINT 2 b) 

Increase the gross domestic expenditure on research and development (GERD)  from 0.4 percent to 1.0 percent in the next five years.

Responsible stakeholders:

▪️Education ministry
▪️National Council for Higher Education
▪️Parliamentary Committee on Education & Sports
▪️Finance ministry

Time frame: 2026-2028 
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 ACTION POINT 3 

Align existing higher education institutions curricula with competence-based education and training (CBET) frameworks, with NCHE providing standards, guidelines, and capacity-building support, and Government and other promoters ensuring provision of the necessary CBET resources and infrastructure.

Responsible stakeholders:

▪️Education ministry
▪️National Council for Higher Education
▪️Higher education institutions
▪️Finance ministry
▪️Professional bodies

Time frame: Immediate
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 ACTION POINT 4 

Strengthen university, industry and community partnerships to ensure that research and innovations are demand-driven and responsive to national needs.

Responsible stakeholders:

▪️Education ministry
▪️National Council for Higher Education
▪️Higher education institutions
▪️Private Sector Foundation Uganda
▪️Professional bodies

Time frame: 2026-2030
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 ACTION POINT 5 

Develop a management framework for intellectual property and commercialization strategies for higher education and integrate it with private sector forum guidelines.

Responsible stakeholders:

▪️Uganda Registration Services Bureau
▪️National Council for Higher Education
▪️Higher education institutions
▪️Private Sector Foundation Uganda

Time frame: 2026-2030
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 ACTION POINT 6 

Develop a framework for the establishment and operationalization of innovation hubs within higher education institutions to support incubation, commercialization, and scaling of innovations.

Responsible stakeholders:

▪️National Council for Higher Education
▪️Higher education institutions
▪️Industry partners

Time frame: 2026-2030
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 ACTION POINT 7 a) 

Research and innovations conducted in higher education institutions should be aligned with Uganda’s national development priorities, particularly those outlined in Vision 2040, with a strong emphasis on advancing industrial development and economic transformation.

Responsible stakeholders:

▪️Education ministry
▪️National Council for Higher Education
▪️Higher education institutions

Time frame: 2026-2028
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 ACTION POINT 7 b) 

Promote basic and applied research as a springboard for research and innovations in higher education institutions.

Responsible stakeholders:

▪️Education ministry
▪️National Council for Higher Education
▪️Higher education institutions

Time frame: 2026-2028 
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 ACTION POINT 8 

Prioritize strengthening the science, technology, and innovation (STI) pipeline for women by promoting inclusive participation and encouraging men  and women to actively serve as allies in advancing gender equity.

Responsible stakeholders:

▪️Education ministry
▪️National Council for Higher Education
▪️Higher education institutions
▪️Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development
▪️Parliamentary Committee on Gender, Labour and Social Development

Time frame: 2026-2028
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