Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Pharm-Biotechnology and Traditional Medicine Centre (PHARMBIOTRAC) hosted a delegation from Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Agriculture and Agribusiness Management (CESAAM), Egerton University – Kenya. The visit was on July 19, 2023 and the two parties held a meeting at PHARMBIOTRAC boardroom at Kihumuro Campus.
The exchange visit was aimed at promoting collaboration and enhancing interaction between the two respective institutions with a view to encouraging close working relationship between PHARMBIOTRAC and CESAAM, both of which belong to Africa Higher Education Centres of Excellence (ACEII) programme.
The goal of the visit was exchanging ideas and learn from each other how to better the deliverables of the projects they are carrying out in line with those carried out at the PHARMBIOTRAC – MUST. The delegation was led by Prof George Owuor, Director of CESAAM.
Dr. Casim Umba Tolo during the meeting
In his remarks, Dr. Casim Umba Tolo, the Centre Leader of PHARMBIOTRAC started by welcoming the delegation from CESAAM- Egerton University and all the participants at the event. According Dr. Tolo, this visit holds great significance in fostering academic relationships and exploring potential areas of collaboration that can mutually benefit MUST students, faculty, and the broader academic community. He pointed out that this continuous collaboration journey reflects our commitment to fostering partnerships and leveraging collective knowledge for the betterment of academic communities. “We are excited about the opportunity to host you at PHARMBIOTRAC and to engage with your esteemed faculty and researchers. We believe that this visit will serve as a stepping stone towards a strong and fruitful collaboration between our institutions” said Dr. Tolo.
He explained to the participants what PHARMBIOTRAC is all about and what it does at MUST and the entire community. “The project has really benefited Uganda and Africa at large. For instance, it has supported staff development and capacity building through sponsoring Masters and various PhD programmes” he said. Dr. Tolo added that beneficiaries of the project have come from all over Africa including countries like: Benin, DRC, Ethiopia, Gambia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
He said the project has also supported community herbalists through training and grants to support production at an improved scale in terms of quality so as to meet national and international markets. They have gone ahead and set up herbal medicine clinics in rural communities such as, Rukararwe Partnership Workshop for Rural Development (RPWRD) in Bushenyi District, Western Uganda and Dr. Sekagya Institute of Traditional medicine (SITM) Mpigi District, central Uganda.
Dr. Tolo pointed out that he will be grateful if the visit culminates into a formal MoU between PHARMBIOTRAC/ MUST, Uganda and CESAAM/ Egerton University, Kenya.
A presentation about CESAAM campus was made by Prof. Samuel Mwonga who gave insights of the programmes at the University, layout, achievements goals and objectives for the University and alumni tracer study.
Standing: Prof. Samuel Mwonga giving his presentation
The head of the delegation, Prof. George Owuor Centre Leader CESAAM thanked the PHARMBIOTRAC team for the good hospitality and argued them to find some time on their schedule and visit CESAAM too. He said this was to help them get the real feel of the presentation made of the University. He added that CESAAM has learnt from PHARMBIOTRAC which has really helped in its progress he singled out the idea of standardising of herb medicine, engaging the community and international accreditation. “Food is the first medicine in life and it should be considered since Egerton University is an agricultural University” he said.
Prof. Patrick Ogwang during the meeting
During his presentation, Prof. Patrick Ogwang the PHARMBIOTRAC project PI explained to participants the project objectives. He also discussed the project targets and results which included enrolment of students, collaborations (MOUs) and accreditation.
This was followed by Prof. Robert Tamukong who gave a presentation about the Education and Training, National and international accreditation, academic Programmes, Academic Achievements of the project community outreach of the programme and the friends of PHARMBIOTRAC at national and international level.
Prof. Robert Tamukong giving his presentation
Eng. Anke Weisheit presented about the innovation incubation centre, innovation pathways, the key out comes of the project, including partnerships faculty and student exchanges to promote research and teaching.
The team later visited the PHARMBIOTRAC facilities which included the museum where the different products from PHARMBIOTRAC are kept and the PHARMBIOTRAC herbal garden where the different species of herbal plants used in the production of medicines are grown, shared the future plans of the project and exchanged souvenirs.
Above: Guests touring the PHARMBIOTRAC museum
Below: Guests touring the PHARMBIOTRAC botanical garden
