‘To build capacity for optimal utilization of scarce academic talents in national policy formulation and poverty eradication’.
Norwegian Support to Makerere University dates back to the 1960s (with Department of Botany in the Faculty of Science and Department of Forestry by then under the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry). After a 15-year period (1970-1985) of political instability, support was renewed in mid 1990s to the then Department of Forestry under the Faculty Agriculture. This support resulted into the development of a fully-fledged Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation at Makerere. The support helped to resource the new Faculty in terms of building, equipment and human resource development.
In the year 2000, this support expanded in scope to cover the entire University’s Institutional Development Programme for an initial 5 years. The support agreement was signed on 28 June 2000 with a total grant of 110m NOK. A new bilateral frame agreement between Government of Uganda and Government of the Royal Kingdom of Norway for continued support was signed on 27th October, 2005 for four (4) years (2005/06 – 2008/09) worth NOK60m (approx.US$9m). Priority areas for continued Norwegian support were discussed and agreed upon between Makerere University and the Norwegian Embassy in Uganda. These priorities are still in line with the University’s current strategic plan 2000/01-2006/07 and the Government over-aching policy of Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP).
Norwegian support over this period was initially channelled through the Norwegian Agency for International Development (NORAD). The support has introduced important interventions aimed at relating higher education to the needs of society by supporting the development of human resources in various fields and increasing the practical orientation of the graduates. Through synergies with other partners[1], the support has enhanced the University’s delivery capacity and also facilitated innovations and quick response to the changing needs of society.
The support has greatly helped in expanding physical infrastructure which in turn has facilitated the university to cope with increased demand for higher education; development of the human resource in various fields; contribution to ICT-enabled operations in administration and Library service delivery; enhanced capacity for gender mainstreaming; refurbishment of laboratories with specialized scientific equipment; strengthened research and research coordination: publication, outreach activities, institutional collaboration, partnerships and networking.
The following are the key physical infrastructures that have been built with support from Norway.
1- Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry building
2- Department of Food Science and Technology Building
3- Furnishing of the extension to Makerere University Library
4- Department of Women and Gender Studies Building
5- Faculty of Computing and Information Technology Building
Other support given Makerere University but infrastructure but which is located outside the main campus is the following:
1- Support to Nyabyeya Forestry College
2- Support to Faculty of Agriculture- Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute at Kabanyolo and the Continuing Agricultural Education Centre.
Phase II
Based on the University’s Strategic Plan and Poverty Eradication Action Plan, the institutional development goal of the proposed programme for Norwegian Government support to Makerere University under phase 2 is:
‘To build capacity for optimal utilization of scarce academic talents in national policy formulation and poverty eradication’.
Main objectives in relation to the different Program components
A: Good governance and Gender Mainstreaming To promote research, design curriculum and engage institutions for good governance with gender equality starting with Makerere University itself.
B: Food, Nutrition and Value Addition To promote scientific research, design curriculum and engage both public and private sector to enhance food production, nutrition and value addition.
C: Strengthening University Management To improve efficiency and effectiveness through strengthening the planning, development and human resource management functions at Makerere University.
D: Development of infrastructure and ICT To expand space, ICT infrastructure to support the University’s teaching, research and outreach function in critical areas for national development