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Department of Biochemistry & Sports Science
DRGT Small Competititve Phd Thesis/Dissertation Completion Grants
From the University’s annual budget allocation FY 2020/21, the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT) has established the PhD Thesis Completion Grants Program to support outstanding doctoral candidates on the verge of finalizing their thesis/dissertation, who have no other source of funding for the requested period.
The scheme is intended to help candidates make significant progress toward the completion of their thesis/dissertation and/or substantial improvement in the quality of their dissertation. The scheme is designed to enable candidates to focus full time on the writing of their Theses, improving the quality of the dissertation and shortening the time required to complete the doctoral degree.
In effect, the grant is intended to decrease time to degree and to support higher quality outcomes among students nearing graduation where relatively modest resources will make a large difference.
Applications from PhD candidates who demonstrate a clear ability to impact mainstream academia and whose projects reflect, and contribute to, the aims of the DRGT are welcomed to apply.
- Applicants should review the eligibility criteria specified below as those not meeting these criteria will not be considered.
- No grant will be awarded for a Thesis/dissertation which has already been submitted for preliminary examination.
Bergen Summer Research: Online PHD Research School JUNE 7–17, 2021
Bergen Summer Research: Online PHD Research School JUNE 7–17, 2021
TWIGA Familiarisation Tour
Transforming Water, Weather and Climate Information through In situ Observation for Geo-Services in Africa (TWIGA) Familiarisation Tour was held today 3rd November 2020.
The Principal Investigators of the project, Prof. FM. D'ujanga and Prof. Kaddu showed the Principal College of Natural Sciences, Prof. JYT Mugisha the Installed Equipment being used in the project.
The main goal of the project is to provide actionable geo-information on weather, water and climate in Africa through innovative combinations of new in situ sensors and GEOSS and Copernicus data.
The project is under taken by a consortium of 16 implementing institutions from Africa and Europe comprising of seven research organization, nine small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), government organizations and Academia.
CoNAS Staff in the Media
Dr. Betty Kivumbi Nannyonga, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics was interviewed by the Embassy of Sweden, Kampala Uganda on the Impact of Sweden's support to Research in Uganda. Dr. Nannyonga is a beneficiary of Sweden's support both at PhD and post-doc level. Click on the link below for more details.
https://www.swedenabroad.se/en/embassies/uganda-kampala/current/news/interview-with-dr.-betty-kivumbi-nannyonga-on-the-impact-of-swedens-support-to-research-in-uganda/
Godwin Anywar inducted as a Fellow of Uganda National Academy of Sciences
Mr. Godwin Anywar was inducted as a Fellow of the Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS) at a ceremony held on the 23rd October 2020 during the 20th Scientific Conference and General Meeting of the Academy. Fellows of the academy are inducted following a rigorous nomination and vetting process. He was nominated by Professor Hannington Oryem-Origa and seconded by Professor Esezah Kakudidi, both fellows of UNAS. Mr. Anywar is an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology & Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University.
Godwin is a CARTA PhD fellow; currently pursuing his PhD at the prestigious Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy & Immunology in Leipzig, Germany, Leipzig Institute for Virology, University of Leipzig & Makerere University. He is an academician, author and entrepreneur.
Godwin Anywar_UNAS edited.pdf Godwin Anywar_UNAS edited.docxPartners launch the Mak-RIF funded Bee-Nutri-Medicine Project
The Bee-Nutri-Medicine research project was launched yesterday (28th October 2020) at the National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI), Nakyesasa, Wakiso District. The project is ‘Exploring stingless bee products for nutritional & medicinal values in Uganda’. The Principal Investigator, Dr. Moses Chemurot from the Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences (ZEFs) is working with partners at NaLIRRI, Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Golden Bees Limited, Kyambogo University and Dr. Ambrosoli Memorial Hospital to implement the research.
In his remarks while explaining the details of the research project, Dr. Chemurot highlighted its objectives as i) Determine the nutritional profiles of stingless bee pollen and honey to enhance understanding of their potential benefits; ii) Explore antimicrobial properties of stingless bee honey & propolis; and iii) Investigate the potency of stingless bee honey & propolis as medicines for wounds & skin infections. He further reiterated that the theme was chosen because ‘stingless bees are given less attention in beekeeping development programmes and there is limited understanding of the benefits from these insects. He noted that beekeeping is ranked second (when all aspects including pollination services and bee products is considered) among livestock income generating activities in Uganda and therefore must be given the necessary support.
The Co-PI, Dr. Kasangaki from NaLIRRI noted the importance of the research highlighting the synergy and collaboration realised among the various partners. He thanked the Government of Uganda for funding the research through Mak-RIF.
The Head of Department ZEFS, Dr. Eric Sande congratulated the team for winning the grant considering the competition of the many deserving applications. Dr. Sande welcomed participants to the launch and encouraged others to partner with Makerere University in providing solutions to challenges affecting our communities and nation. MAAIF was represented by Mr. Lawrence Tusimomuhangi, the Assistant Commissioner – Entomology. In his remarks the Commissioner said, ‘We have high expectations of results from this research and government is always on the lookout for economic viability of the various initiatives. It is our hope that the results from this project will provide more knowledge on how we can further utilise beekeeping and its products for income generation’.
Issues including sustainability of natural resources; linkage with the National Drug Authority and National Chemotherapeutic Laboratory; efficacy of the products; use of agrochemicals and its effects on beekeeping were raised by the participants.
ABSbio Idea Challenge Uganda 2020
Makerere University, Uganda together with its Partner Universities Leipzig University, Germany and IRGIB Africa University Benin invite young researchers and students to take part in the ABSbio Idea Competition in Uganda from 26 October to 11 December 2020.
- Are you a student or young researcher with a bio-based innovative idea that promotes sustainable use of biodiversity?
- Does your innovative idea have potential to positively contribute to the triple bottom line (people, planet & profit)?
- Do you have a solution to current biodiversity challenges?
- If so, convince us by submitting a competitive business idea and become one of the Accesses and benefit sharing – sustainable use of biodiversity (ABSbio) project idea awardee for 2020.
The aim of the competition is to develop and present innovative ideas for sustainable businesses and measures to address current biodiversity challenges based on scientific research.
Eligibility Guidelines:
- Eligible for participation are Individuals or teams of 2-3 students of Bachelors or Masters in Biological Sciences or related fields from the partner countries.
- After you have registered and joined the kick-off event you can submit your ideas through our idea management platform until 30 November 2020. In November you will have the chance to participate in a number of idea development workshops to support you in the idea development phase. Register here for the kick-off event.
Benefits:
Besides a participation certificate the awardees can benefit from:
- Business mentorship & coaching for the idea implementation
- A Laptop or tablet at one of the Partner Universities to work on the idea implementation
- Access to teaching materials and innovative ideas
- Networking with a team of international business experts from the African German Entrepreneurship Academy (AGEA)
- A chance to present the business idea at our digital international
symposium on 11 December 2020 - Presentation of a successful business case during
the ABSbio multi-stakeholder workshop
in Ethiopia in 2022