In this topic, sustainability is meant in environmental, social and economic terms.

Plastic (and other) waste, such as packaging, textiles, etc., could potentially represent a sustainable alternative to imported fossil feedstock (e.g. oil, gas). It contains high amounts of carbon, it is widely available and its valorisation could also provide environmental and societal benefits avoiding the disposal in landfills.

Lithium-ion battery cells with conventional active materials are reaching their limits in terms of energy densities. Also, safety issues arise with the utilisation of liquid organic electrolytes which are becoming even more critical with the nearly introduction of advanced materials made to increase cell voltage and fast-charging rates.

The overarching R&I challenges lie in the development of solid-state electrolytes, cathode materials and anode materials enabling higher thermal and electrochemical stability while targeting higher energy/power densities, fast charging, cyclability and improved safety. These new materials should contribute to the control of thermal runaway at an early stage, and create non-propagation designs.

The aims of the Ireland-Africa Fellows Programme are to nurture future African leaders, women and men, to develop in-country capacity to achieve national SDG goals, and to build positive relationships between Ireland and Africa. The programme offers selected students the opportunity to undertake a fully-funded one-year master’s programme at a prestigious higher education institution (HEI) in Ireland.

A. J. Adedeji, Luka, P. D., Atai, R. B., Olubade, T. A., Hambolu, D. A., Ogunleye, M. A., Muwanika, V. B., and Masembe, C., “First-Time Presence of African Swine Fever Virus Genotype II in Nigeria”, vol. 10, 2021.

The 2021 TWAS Fellowships call for applications is open for PhD and PDoc programmes that are offered in the

INVITATION TO THE 1st INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON REIMAGINING THE NATURAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY IN AFRICA (RNPIA – 2021), 5th JULY 2021 TO 7th JULY 2021 webadmin Tue, 06/29/2021 - 08:48 On behalf of the RNPIA-2021 Organizing committee, I have the pleasure to invite you to the 1stInternational Conference On Reimagining The Natural Products Industry In Africa.

RNPIA-2021 is aimed at encouraging transdisciplinarity through knowledge sharing by scholars, practitioners in industry, non-governmental organizations, and policymakers. We envisage mutual learning and joint problem solving to create sustainable solutions for Africa’s Natural Products Industry.

RNPIA-2021 Conference will take place from the 5thto the 7th of July 2021. Due to COVID-19, the event will be 95% virtual.

 You can join in using the zoom link below.

Join Zoom Conference Link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89916142662?pwd=b3NkaVhKMjBlQUd5MG1BUzArNlJFQT09

Meeting ID: 899 1614 2662
Passcode: 874731

Looking forward to your active engagement.

Call for applications from postgraduates (Hons-PhD) and junior scientists to participate in the Train-Me2 Connect summerschool on earth and aquatic science field methods. The South African component will consider applicants from anywhere in Africa. Deadline for applications is 11 July. Further info here: https://geo.uni-greifswald.de/trainme/

The European Union’s (EU) “African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence” (ARISE) pilot programme’s call for applications has been launched by the African Academy of Sciences. ARISE promotes science, technology and innovation as critical drivers of development and sustainability. With the strategic guidance of the European Union and the African Union (AU), it aims at boosting and further unlocking Africa’s potential for innovation by supporting the next generation of scientific leaders. The EU is contributing €25 million to the programme.

S. Lukato, Wendt, O. F., Wallenberg, R., Kasozi, G. N., Naziriwo, B., Persson, A., Folkers, L. C., and Tebandekea, E., “Selective oxidation of benzyl alcohols with molecular oxygen as the oxidant using Ag-Cu catalysts supported on polyoxometalates”, Results in Chemistry, vol. 3, p. 100150, 2021.

One hundred years of African swine fever: A tribute toR. Eustace Montgomery webadmin Fri, 06/18/2021 - 14:44

One hundred years ago, the first scientific publication on “a form of swine fever” that occurred in East Africa was published by R. EustaceMontgomery in the Journal of Comparative Pathology and Therapeutics

(Montgomery, 1921). Now known as African swine fever (ASF), this disease has, over the last century, been reported from all five continents and is dreaded by pig industries worldwide

Please find attached for more information 

THE KNOWLEDGE AND INNOVATION EXCHANGE (KIX), A JOINT ENDEAVOUR BETWEEN IDRC AND THE GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR EDUCATION (GPE), IS AN EXCITING NEW WAY TO SUPPORT LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES TO BUILD STRONGER EDUCATION SYSTEMS, THEREBY ACCELERATING PROGRESS TOWARDS ACHIEVING SDG 4. The Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange

Transforming Uganda to a middle-income country ought to be a concerted effort webadmin Fri, 06/18/2021 - 14:15

The Government of Uganda set out to transform Uganda into a middle-income country by the year 2020. Whereas this target was not realised, it is not too late to rethink the strategies. 

Of course, the approach in realising the said target is multi-faceted; ranging from boosting agriculture, education, industrialisation to good governance and combating corruption among others.

In this article, I will focus on one area of education to drive my point home; sustainably raising a critical mass of scientists in the country. It is easy to think that this is a role which must be played by the government only, as is always our tendency. However, this thinking is only true in part; all of us have a role to play. I will use the example of the subject Mathematics which I understand most. Mathematics is a prerequisite to many courses at university.

These courses include:  Computer Science, Statistics, Engineering courses, Actuarial Science, Surveying, Architecture, Bachelor of Science (Physical), etc. Even for some courses where it is not a prerequisite, students who enrol to such courses somehow find mathematical content being taught to them. These courses include: Economics, Information Technology, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social sciences, etc.

Going by this only, we can confirm that Mathematics is a very important subject. We also agree that, if it is properly taught right from primary schools, more students will enrol in the science courses mentioned above and this will help in raising the critical mass of scientists the country needs to attain middle-income status.

On the contrary, when you meet an average person on the streets and ask them about Mathematics. Chances are very high that you will get responses such as it is horrible, I get sick when I see numbers, don’t ask me about Mathematics, I hate it and other statements which portray the subject with negativity.

Pupils/students hear similar utterances from their parents, relatives, role models, family members and their friends.  I don’t mean to say that everyone should be good at Mathematics. We are different and certainly gifted differently. But I also know that sometimes these statements have affected the performance of some learners – actually the majority of learners.

To reach this desired national goal, we need concerted effort. Teachers, parents, school administrators, District Education Officers (DEOs), Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), pupils, students, family members and the entire community; each has a role to play.

Teachers have to teach Mathematics in a way that makes it interesting. They ought to use a language that motivates rather than demotivates, showing learners how relevant Mathematics is in our day to day lives. Use of ICT is instrumental as is the case with other relevant teaching aids.  Teachers of the subject themselves have to be exemplary and a source of inspiration to the learners.

It is in our families that we first learn most of what we know. We subconsciously learn what our parents and relatives say and do while we are we them.  It is not surprising therefore that if children who come from homes where English language is spoken join nursery schools when they are already fluent in the English language. Parents and family members therefore have to mind what they say about Mathematics before their children and relatives. Once children join school when they already think Mathematics is a horrible subject, then teachers cannot do much to help them believe otherwise.

Mathematics is a subject that demands continuity of concepts. It is difficult for one to learn to subtract if they don’t know how to add; dividing can be almost impossible to comprehend when one does not know how to multiply, the list goes on. Ensuring therefore that our children attend school regularly is crucial. You and I know that it is at least not for the government to ensure regular attendance of school for our children. We need as parents to plan and pay school fees in time to avoid disruption of learning. Parents ought to inculcate in their children before and during school some skills, e.g., analytical skills and an inquisitive mind. This can be achieved for instance through certain games and reading some books. 

School administrators ought to provide a conducive environment for teaching and learning. This may involve paying teachers promptly, clean classrooms, avail the required teaching and learning material in time, etc.  The National Curriculum Development Centre needs to ensure that curricular at all levels of learning is revised regularly to meet the current needs of society. Higher institutions of learning also doing their part by training teachers well.

The Government through the Ministry of Education and Sports and through local governments ought to recruit enough teachers; ensuring that there is gender balance as they do so. At the moment, Mathematics teachers are predominantly male, girls do not have enough examples to look up to. Remunerating teachers well so that they don’t quit teaching. To ensure that there are adequate and well facilitated schools. Putting mechanisms in place to have teachers undergo refresher courses so that they are kept up to date with relevant and effective methods of teaching.

If all the above is sustainably done, it will not take too long before Uganda raises the required critical mass of scientists in the areas that were mentioned above. In times like these of COVID19, it can not be so difficult to have a meaningful contribution by Ugandan scientists including manufacturing vaccines by ourselves. At the moment, Uganda is faced with a problem of too few scientists to take care of  all Ugandan needs that lie in their speciality. If one is to start a high tech company that requires to employ many scientists, Uganda may not be the country to have it. Doing so, will imply that one has to employ so many expartriates which is a costly venture. You would rather have the company in a place where employees commute from their homes and are relatively cheaper to maintain.

David Ssevviiri, PhD

Senior Lecturer, Department of Mathematics, Makerere University Source: https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/106177

F. Schultz, “Pharmacological assessment of antiprotozoal activity, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of medicinal plants used in treatment of malaria in the Greater Mpigi Region in Uganda”, Front. Pharmacol, 2021.

University Closure Guidelines in Compliance With Presidential Directive on COVID-19 webadmin Mon, 06/14/2021 - 18:29

RE:      UNIVERSITY CLOSURE GUIDELINES IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE TO CLOSE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING AS A PREVENTIVE MEASURE TO CURB THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS

Reference is made to the communication from the University Council Chairperson Ref. 0301.00 dated 7th June 2021, which declared Makerere Universityclosed for 42 days with effect from 7th June 2021 in line with the Presidential directives to curb the spread of COVID-19.

During its special meeting held on Tuesday 8th June 2021, the University’s Top Management approved the following guidelines for the closure.

1. Adherence to COVID-19 SOPs

All units, staff and any other individuals within the University premises must at all times comply with the COVID-19 SOPs as prescribed by the Ministry of Health, including, but not limited to the following:

• a) Always wearing a face mask in public places. Management will not grant access to university premises to any individual without a face mask.
• b) All public buildings shall have hand wash facilities and hand sanitisers at the entrances. Therefore, all individuals seeking to access the buildings must wash their hands and/ or apply a hand sanitiser.
• c) All public buildings must have a temperature gun at the entrances. All individuals seeking to access the buildings must have their temperatures taken and recorded. Any individual with a temperature above normal shall not access university buildings.
• d) All public buildings shall maintain a registration book at the entrance. All individuals seeking to access the buildings must register on a daily basis.
• e) Residents on the University campus are discouraged from welcoming visitors. Management will deny access to any persons seeking to access the University premises for the sole purpose of visiting.

2. Maintaining a 30% Physical Staff Presence at the University

• a) All units shall maintain a 30% physical presence of staff. The heads of the respective units shall observe this requirement by rotating staff while considering the prevailing tasks and responsibilities.
• b) All academic and administrative staff shall continue to work online during the period when they are not physically at the university. All staff remain obliged to deliver on the outputs required on them.
• c) Working physically or online shall not be construed as a special assignment or extra work.

3. Students on Campus

• a) Management instructed all students to vacate University premises by close of business on 7th June 2021.
• b) International students who are resident in the University halls and currently cannot travel back to their home countries have been exempted from the requirement to vacate the university campus. These students shall be accommodated in Africa Hall (both males and female) but in different blocks. All students under this category are instructed to register with the Dean of Students, thereafter move to the designated residence with immediate effect.

4. Teaching and Learning

• a) All electronic platforms, including the Makerere University E-Learning Environment (MUELE) and electronic resources under the University Library, shall continue to be accessible online during the closure period.
• b) The University Library shall remain closed for physical access and shall maintain essential staff within the 30% limit while other staff will continue to work remotely to support access to online resources.
• c) The Academic Registrar will issue a revised semester schedule following approval by the University Senate and Council in line with guidance from the Ministry of Education & Sports (MOES) and/ or National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).
• d) Students undertaking research and other projects shall continue to interact with their supervisors online.
• e) Colleges are requested to evaluate the status and readiness to undertake online teaching for Semester II of 2020/2021 Academic year before it can be implemented.

5. Examinations

• a) Semester one 2020/ 2021 examinations for Final Year students that commenced on Monday 24th May, 2021 successfully ended on Sunday 6th June, 2021. Semester one 2020/ 2021 examinations for continuing students were scheduled to start on Monday 7th June, 2021 and end on Sunday 27th June, 2021. All examinations that were scheduled and not administered to students by 7th June 2021 are suspended. The Academic Registrar will communicate a new timetable for the examinations in due course.

6. Research Activities

• a) Staff with research activities that require inter-district travel should consider rescheduling their field research activities.
• b) Staff undertaking research involving perishable laboratory materials that were already acquired should register with their Unit Heads to be included in the allowable 30% physical presence on the campus so as to continue with their research activities.
• c) In general, staff and students with ongoing research activities shall continue to meet with their research teams and supervisors online.

7. Places of Worship

The University Mosque, St. Francis Chapel and St. Augustine Chapel shall remain closed for a period of 42 days or otherwise determined by Government.

8. Other Activities

On-going capital developments to which Makerere University is contractually obligated, shall continue with strict observance of the COVID-19 preventive guidelines as provided by Government through the Ministry of Health.

9. Enforcement

• a) The Office of Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) shall be responsible for the overall enforcement of the public health measures in force during the 42 days or otherwise pronounced by Government.
• b) All heads of Units are responsible for enforcement of the measures in their units and shall report to the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration).

10. COVID-19 Vaccination

All University staff are required to take the COVID-19 vaccine in line with the Presidential directives. The University Hospital continues to offer vaccination services among other services, to students and the community at no cost.

11. Health Services

The University Hospital will continue to offer services to the university community on a 24-hour basis. Any suspected COVID-19 cases and/ or health emergencies should be reported to the University Hospital on the following address:

Address: Gadafi Road, Kampala
Tel: 0414 542922

Fighting the COVID-19 pandemic will be the collective result of compliance with the public health measures put in place by the Government. Management calls upon all members of the University to adhere to the guidelines for their own good, for the good of their loved ones and for the good of the University and the nation.

We Build For the Future!

Professor Barnabas Nawangwe
VICE CHANCELLOR

The Rhodes Scholarship webadmin Mon, 06/14/2021 - 18:17

The Rhodes Scholarship is a fully funded postgraduate award for young people to study at the University of Oxford, UK. The Rhodes Trust funds over 250 Scholars at any one time. We select young leaders of outstanding intellect and character who are motivated to engage with global challenges, committed to the service of others and show promise of becoming value-driven, principled leaders for the world’s future.
The Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest (first awarded in 1902) and perhaps most prestigious international scholarship programme, enabling outstanding young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford.

This year, we have opened application starting from the 1st June. Visit the link for more details: https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholarships/the-rhodes-scholarship/

The Rhodes Scholarship is a fully funded postgraduate award for young people to study at the University of Oxford, UK. The Rhodes Trust funds over 250 Scholars at any one time. We select young leaders of outstanding intellect and character who are motivated to engage with global challenges, committed to the service of others and show promise of becoming value-driven, principled leaders for the world’s future.

The Rhodes Scholarship is a fully funded postgraduate award for young people to study at the University of Oxford, UK. The Rhodes Trust funds over 250 Scholars at any one time. We select young leaders of outstanding intellect and character who are motivated to engage with global challenges, committed to the service of others and show promise of becoming value-driven, principled leaders for the world’s future.

Makerere University Closure webadmin Wed, 06/09/2021 - 00:21