Barya quits Makerere University

Aug 31, 2012

After 17 years at Makerere University, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba has at last thrown in the towel and will now go into private practice.

By Conan Businge                        

After 17 years at Makerere University, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba has at last thrown in the towel and will now go into private practice.

Prof. Barya, as he is commonly known, officially resigned from his academic job on Friday, after serving Makerere University continuously for the last 17 years.

In his letter to the University’s Secretary of the appointments Board, Prof. Barya says, “Just like in outside Universities, I would like after these many years of consecutive service in the University to take a break from University Service…”

He adds that he wants to spend, “two years working in the private sector…before I can revert to full time academic work at Makerere University.”

 “I will also use this opportunity to publish at least two books in the next two years,” reads the resignation letter.  

In 2001, Prof. Barya joined the administrative ranks at Makerere as a Director of Institute of Computer Science and later became Dean Faculty of Computing and IT, to the time he has quit as an acting Vice Chancellor.

In his resignation letter, he adds, “I also do recognise that I’m due for sabbatical leave and I have also accumulated annual leave over the 17 years period which I have never taken.”

Prof. Barya is a Professor of Computer Science and holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science, M.Sc. in Computer Science, M.Sc. (Mathematics)-Coursework, Post Graduate Diploma in Analysing Linear Programming Models and B.Sc. (Hons) among other qualifications.

His resignation comes shortly before his handover of the VC’s office to a newly appointed Vice Chancellor Prof. Prof. Ddumba Ssentamu.

Under his leadership as Vice Chancellor at Makerere University he has restructured its academic programmes, instituted financial and administrative reforms, restructured academic and administrative units into a collegiate system, and opened two up-country university campuses.

He has also improved research output, financial performance and general image of the University.

He is remembered by a number of Principals and senior staff Makerere as a, “committed, hardworking, jovial, and down-to-earth administrator.”  

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Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba displays some of the Awards won by Makerere University Institute of Computer Science where he was director

Prof. J.B Nyakana says Prof. Barya offered, “A first class performance during his tenure and it will always be remembered.”

“He got this university from far, to where we are today. Credit goes to him for establishing the collegiate system, easy access of transcripts and certificates, and the improved university’s image,” Prof. Nyakana adds.  

He adds that much as Prof. Barya could have had his shortcomings as a human being, “he was a dynamic, hardworking and results’ oriented young man. He would be in his office by 6am and leave at about 9pm. How many top administrators can do that?”

Much as some staffs believe that he erred on a number of fronts, a number of them still believe that Prof. Barya was a distinguished academic, researcher, leader and manager. This is also attested by the several awards won at both national and international levels.

In 2005 at the age of 36 he was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Computing and IT and became the youngest Dean in the history of Makerere University. In the same year, he spearheaded the construction of the largest computing building in Africa with 12,500sq metres of space worth over US$ 20 million.

During his tenure, the Institute of Computer Science transformed from a small unit with one academic programme, 28 students and an annual budget of US$15,000.  He turned into a Faculty of Computing and Information Technology with 19 academic programmes, over 200 staff with at least a master’s degree and over 20 PhD holders in Computing and ICT disciplines.

The ICT faculty’s population also grew to over 5000, on degree programmes and an annual budget of over US$7 million, within a period of four years. By the end of his tenure as Dean, the Faculty of Computing and IT had a budget of over US$10 million; and releasing over 1,000 computing professionals annually.

He has a proven proficiency in attracting meaningful collaborations from public and private sectors at local and international levels.

He has actively initiated long-term programmes with support from various teaching and research universities, governments and organisations in Africa, Europe, Asia and USA for ICT capacity building.

He has a track record as a consultant in ICT research, training, advisory services and policy; and recognised expertise in e-governance. He is the Chairman and Managing Director of ICT Consults Ltd, one of the prestigious ICT consultancy firms in Africa.

At regional level, he coordinates a multi-million dollar regional projects and research programs aimed at building specialised computing and Human Resource Capacity in Africa.

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Fred Omach (second left) the State Minster for Finance in charge of General Duties together with Peter Ndemere (second Right) the Executive Secretary for the Asscocition look on as Dr. Ham Mulira(left) Minister for ICT hands over a plaque to Prof Venansius Barya Baryamureebe (Right) one of the winners of the Presidential Science Awards for Science and Technology education excellency during the 2008 National Council for science conference at Serena Kampala Hotel

More so, at the national level, Prof. Barya still coordinates several national programs aimed at building human resource capacity in universities and other tertiary institutions and the private and public sectors.


Prof. Barya’s key milestones
•    In 1996 Baryamureeba finished a two year M.Sc. in Computer Science in a record time of 8 months;

•    In 2000 he graduated with a PhD and had the best PhD dissertation that year at the University of Bergen;

•    In 2000 Baryamureeba discovered the Barya function;

•    In 2000 at the age of 30 he was the youngest PhD holder at Makerere University;

•    In 2000 he became the 1st Ugandan to obtain a PhD in Computer Science;

•    In 2001 at the age of 31 he was appointed Director of the Institute of Computer Science and became the youngest Director in the history of Makerere University;

•    In 2005 at the age of 36 he was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Computing and IT and became the youngest Dean in the history of Makerere University;

•    In 2005 he spearheaded the construction of the largest computing building in Africa with 12,500sq metres of space worth over US$ 20 million and President Yoweri Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda on January 28, 2009, officially opened the building. The Block B building was funded from internally generated funds in the Faculty of Computing and IT. He had previously spearheaded the construction of the Faculty of Computing and IT Block A Building with 2500sq metres of space, which was funded by the Royal Kingdom of Norway and was commissioned on 28th January 2004.

•    In 2006 he was appointed a full Professor at the age of 37 making him the 1st Professor of Computer Science   in Uganda and the youngest Professor in sub-Saharan Africa;

•    In 2006 he raised from the rank of Associate Professor to Professor in a record time of less than three (3) months;

•    In 2007 Prof. Baryamureeba received the ‘Top ICT Educator/ Academic’ Award in Africa for 2007;

•    In 2008 Professor Baryamureeba was appointed Judge, African ICT Achievers Awards 2008;

•    In September 2008, Runner-up, Presidential Science Awards, Science and Technology Excellence Award in recognition of his innovative approach to institutional and human capacity development in computer science by the President of the Republic of Uganda.  

•    In November 2008 Professor Baryamureeba was included in the 2009 Edition of Who's Who in the World. Distributed globally, Marquis' Who's Who in the World is relied upon by business leaders, journalists, academics, and other professionals for its accuracy and currency of information.

 Additionally, it is found in the collections of many of the world's leading libraries and corporations. Who's Who in the World continues to be recognized internationally as the premier biographical data source of notable living individuals from every significant field of endeavour.

•    In November 2008, he was appointed an honorary member of the International Association of IT Governance Standards, a member driven organization that provides a platform to support and promote multi-disciplinary research on IT Governance standards.  

•    In April 2009, Prof. Baryamureeba was included in the ‘’2000 outstanding intellectuals of the 21st century’’ by the International Biographical Centre.  

•    In May 2009, Prof. Baryamureeba was included in the ‘’TOP 100 Professionals-2009 by the International Biographical Centre in recognition of his significant contribution in the area of ICT to engender influence on the local, national and international scene. As a bearer of Top 100 Professionals 2009, he has been recorded in perpetuity in the halls of the International Biographical centre.  

•    In July 2009, Prof. Baryamureeba won the International Educator of the Year 2009 Award from International Biographical Centre of Cambridge, England.

•    In August 2009, Prof. Baryamureeba won the award of ‘Most Influential ICT Personality in Uganda’ from ICT Creatives Ltd (www.ictcreatives.com).  

•    On 20th October 2009, Prof. Baryamureeba won the 2009 TWAS-ROSSA Prize for Building Scientific Institutions for the African Region. The Academy of Sciences in the Developing World (TWAS) [www.twas.org] is an autonomous international organization, based in Trieste, Italy, that promotes scientific excellence for sustainable development in the South.

•    Prof. Baryamureeba was appointed 14th Vice-Chancellor of Makerere University in 2009 at the age of 40 making him then the youngest Vice-Chancellor to ever be appointed to lead a University on the African continent at such a tender age.

•    On 14th December 2011, Professor Venansius Baryamureeba won the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Education at the Africa-India Partnership Summit Le Matinal Educational Excellence Awards 2011 held in Mauritius.


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