Aims of the Program

Overall goal the Program

The overall goal of the programme is to increase the capacity of Makerere and Partner public Universities to generate knowledge and promote research uptake for national and regional development. This is line with the Makerere University’s strategic Plan 2008/09 – 2018/19 aimed at enhancing the transformation and utilization of knowledge, research and Innovation capacity of public higher education institutions to conduct and sustain strategic and quality research that will contribute to the development needs of Uganda and beyond.

This goal will be met by focusing on training to Masters and PhD levels, as well as postdoctoral research. The program will also emphasize strengthening partnerships and optimizing synergies with Sweden supported initiatives in the region.

The specific objectives

1. Improve the institutional and research infrastructure to support a robust environment for research and innovations at Makerere University by 2020.
2. Strengthen local PhD training in public universities in Uganda by 2020.
3. Increase the generation and dissemination of knowledge and research outputs by 2020
4. Increase capacity for knowledge translation and innovations by 2020.
5. Increase partnerships and regional synergies for knowledge generation and sharing by 2020
6. Improve the coordination and management of research and knowledge uptake by 2020
7. |Increase cooperation with and strengthen capacity of partner public universities by 2020

Key expected outputs

• 125 PhD graduates; 50 of whom are from partner public university (at least 30% will be female)
• 147 masters students supported; with 100 from partner public universities (at least 30% are females)
• 65 postdoctoral projects supported; with 5 from  partner public universities (at least 30% headed by females)
• 200 Publications
• At least five patents held by Makerere University
• At least 20 Innovations and Technologies developed

Key expected outcomes

• Increased completion rate by doctoral students due to the enhanced capacity for supervisors to supervise Masters and Doctoral students, strong mentorship programme and graduate seminar series programme coordinated by the DRGT and colleges, respectively
• Increased research capacity and productivity contributing to enhanced visibility of the University
• Evidence-based policy making (through engagement with government and other stakeholders) in the identified research themes. 
• Increased capacity to conduct research in other public universities (Busitema, Kyambogo, Gulu and Mbarara University of Science & Technology). This outcome will be achieved through training staff in supervision, mentorship, research management, and grant proposal writing.
• Increased generation and uptake of new technologies
• Developed Centers of research excellence in use and incubating available technologies e.g. waste management, GIS Laboratory technology, Energy Conservation, Computing and Informatics; Biomedical Laboratory.
• Improved capacity for research coordination and programme administration in the University providing better services to the researchers and students.
• Improved research infrastructure through quality library and ICT resources, and laboratory equipment providing better services to the researchers and students
• Increased collaboration with other partners (research institutions, universities, private sector, development partners) nationally, regionally and internationally thereby sharing knowledge and raising research funds.