Norway commends Makerere on research

By John Agaba

THE Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), has described Makerere University as one of Africa’s best academic institutions in research that can spur development.

NORAD is one of the leading international agencies that fund academic research in Africa and other parts of the world.

The Norwegian agency is currently funding nine research projects at Makerere University.

Jorun Nossum, NORADs senior advisor on global health, education and research, said Makerere University, Uganda’s largest institution of higher learning, has for a long time been involved in a number of research innovations that can impact society and local communities.

“Their proposals are spot on. They are aimed at finding solutions to people’s needs. And most programs are well initiated,” Nossum said at the opening of the NORAD and Makerere University annual planning meeting aimed at reviewing the implementation of the research projects at the University.

Makerere won the grant worth over $30m (about sh74b) last year to implement the nine projects after competing in the capacity building in Higher Education and Research for Development (NORHED) scheme, whose goal is promoting sustainable economic, social, and environmental development in low and middle income countries.

At the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the project coordinators and NORAD at Makerere’s School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bio-engineering, early this year, it was agreed on that the funders would meet the project coordinators annually to review the progress of the research — if it was on schedule and money was being put to the proper use.

On Monday, Nossum said that she was satisfied the projects at Makerere were progressing as agreed on.

“They are employing competent and experienced staff and involving key stakeholders to get the best results. We know we won’t have to cancel any projects,” Nossum said.

Makerere University has seen its rankings start to go up again, largely because of its involvement in research. The latest Webometrics rankings placed Makerere at number 13 in Africa and 1134 in the world.

“We want to keep improving,” Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu, the University’s Vice Chancellor, said. “The support (from NORAD) has enabled us recruit 17 PhD and masters students. This will help in the sustainability of the University as a research oriented institution.”

Dr. Elizabeth Bwanga, the NORHED project coordinator, said some of the projects are behind schedule because of “project inertia.” And because of the insurgency that’s plagued South Sudan lately, the collaboration to train tutors for Juba University hit a few hiccups.

“But we are expecting a bigger speed this year,” she said.  

Rita Namisango, the university’s publicist, commended Norway for its continued collaboration with Makerere which dates back to the 1940’s. 

“They are helping us improve the research profile of Makerere,” Namisango said.