Nawangwe to be installed as MAK VC Thursday

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe. Photo/File

EDUCATION

Former Makerere University (MAK) Deputy Vice Chancellor (VC) in charge of Finance and Administration Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe is set to be installed as the new VC of MAK.

Nawangwe replaces Prof John Ddumba Ssentamu who was eligible for another term but chose not to reapply after serving for five years.

The University Council in June this year recommended Prof. Nawangwe to Prof Ezra Suruma, the Chancellor to become the institution's next VC.

This was after Nawangwe garnered 16 votes against his competitors Venansius Baryamureeba and Edward Kirumira who got four and two votes respectively.

As provided for in the Universities and Other Tertiaries Act, council undertook the process of identifying the successor of Ddumba whose term expired on August 31. The law provides that Council, which is the institution's governing body, sends one name to the Chancellor from the three candidates recommended by senate for appointment.

According to a copy of the programme, the Education and Sports Minister Mrs. Janet Museveni is expected to grace the installation ceremony scheduled to take place at the University main hall.

Role of a VC

A VC is responsible for the academic, administrative and financial affairs of the University. He or she supervises the university, attends Government meetings and carries out other duties.

In the absence of the chancellor, the VC has the power to preside at ceremonial assemblies of the University and confer degrees and other academic titles and distinctions of the University.

Fact file         

Before his current position as the deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of finance and administration, he was the acting Principal, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology between (2002-2009).

He also headed the department of Architecture from its inception in 1989 to 2002. Nawangwe has also chaired several influential university committees, supervised several masters and PHD students and published numerous papers.

He is the Chairman of the Architects Registration Board and a Past President of the Uganda Society of Architects. He has been responsible for the bulk of the rehabilitation and development work at MAK over the last twenty years.