Mak launches campaign for research and renovation of CEDAT

EDUCATION

MAKERERE UNIVERSITY - Makerere University College of Engineering Design Art and Technology (CEDAT) has embarked on a campaign to solicit for over sh500b to enhance research, innovation and renovation of the infrastructure college.

The former faculty of Technology and the Art Gallery since 50-years ago was transformed into a College, which had contributed a lot in human resource capacity development.

CEDAT is greatly contributing to research leading into industrialization and provision of infrastructure.

"The college is continuously involved in carrying out research and outreach services needed in solving challenges faced by communities," explained Umar Kakumba, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of administration.

Speaking during the fundraising dinner which was part of the celebrations to mark 50-years of CEDAT, Kakumba stressed that the college is growing and requires more support in terms of space, laboratories and strong collaboration with industries especially the private sector.

During the dinner, an Interim Alumni committee headed by the former Electoral Commission boss, Badru Kigundu was set up with over sh200m collected.

"The contribution of CEDAT is critical to the delivery of National programmes including Vision 2040, National Development Programme and attainment of middle-income status.

The support has been used to equip some laboratories in carrying out innovative research and help students train in the field to get exposure in the industry. However, a lot more is required," Kakumba pleaded.

He saluted the college heads the Kiira Motors Corporation innovation, a vehicle plant facility that is currently under construction, expected to start rolling out vehicles by 2022.

"The university looks forward to many such homegrown innovations that will steer Uganda into a middle-income country. We need to see more of the University innovations commercialized and more of its graduates involved in entrepreneurship," he suggested.

Kakumba called upon the Alumni of the university to continue working closely with the University to groom other students.

Chairperson Makerere University Council Charles Etyem (L) interacting with Former Chairperson Electoral Commission  Badru Kiggundu during the fundraising for the launch of CEDAT activities at hotel Africana. (Photo by Godiver Asege)

The chairman University council, Wana Etyang called upon all engineers to represent the true actions of an engineer in order to remain relevant to their profession.

"It is very bad to call yourself an Engineer when you can't fix a problem, that is a poor representation of the profession," he said.

Etyang challenged the senior people in government not to make it too hard for the private sector saying it can one time be their ending.

He observed that currently most of the big Engineering projects, the local people do the donkey work and the foreigners and their companies take it all.

"You must consider giving the local people and companies opportunities for work or else you will regret when you join them asking why you dint make it easy for the local people to participate ‘he said.

In his speech read by state minister in charge of Karamoja affairs Moses Kizige, Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda applauded the college for the tremendous contribution towards technology in the development of Uganda.

He invited the scientists, and engineers to take a special interest in Karamoja by developing innovations which can fit in the area to enhance the transformation of the place.

Karamoja is a virgin land which is endowed with a lot of resources and very secure; we can plan jointly so that in the next 30 years it can be the most developed part of this country through the use of science and technology.