Makerere University Spearheads Regional Research Collaboration

In a significant move towards fostering academic collaboration and research excellence, Makerere University has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with five regional universities. The agreement, witnessed by esteemed representatives, marks a milestone in advancing research, teaching, and academic exchanges among the participating institutions.

The acting Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Assoc. Prof. Umar Kakumba, led the signing ceremony on behalf of the prestigious Ugandan institution. The collaborative effort includes University of Dar es Salaam, Addis Ababa University, University of Rwanda, and University Eduardo Mondlane. This consortium, further supported by Jönköping International Business School (JIBS), underscores a commitment to academic synergy and research innovation.

JIBS, through the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida), has a longstanding history of collaboration with the aforementioned universities, spanning over four decades. While Sida’s departure from supporting research partnerships in host countries is imminent, its enduring interest in promoting qualitative postgraduate education remains steadfast. Hence, JIBS endeavors to facilitate a smooth transition with its exit strategy, ensuring sustained support for academic initiatives.

The collaborative framework between Makerere University and its regional counterparts encompasses multifaceted engagement. Notably, the partnership will focus on the teaching and supervision of postgraduate studies, facilitating student exchanges, and fostering a robust research ecosystem. These initiatives are poised to enrich the academic landscape, empower scholars, and nurture cross-cultural understanding.

The collaboration framework with Makerere university

Within Makerere University, the Department of Policy and Development Economics, under the aegis of Makerere University CoBAMS (College of Business and Management Sciences), will spearhead the collaborative endeavors. By leveraging institutional strengths and expertise, the participating universities aspire to cultivate a vibrant intellectual community and address pressing socio-economic challenges facing the region.

As academia embraces a paradigm of global interconnectedness, collaborative ventures like these serve as catalysts for knowledge exchange and innovation. By transcending geographical boundaries and disciplinary silos, institutions can harness collective wisdom to tackle complex research questions and drive positive societal change.

The partnership between Makerere University and regional counterparts exemplifies a shared commitment to academic excellence and scholarly collaboration. It heralds a new era of cooperation, where academia serves as a beacon of enlightenment, fostering dialogue, understanding, and progress across borders.

In an ever-evolving global landscape, nurturing collaborative networks is imperative for advancing knowledge and addressing the myriad challenges confronting humanity. Through sustained partnerships and concerted efforts, institutions can chart a path towards a brighter, more inclusive future, where the pursuit of knowledge knows no bounds.