Vrije Universiteit Brussels (VUB)

MUST has been in collaboration with VUB since 2017. Through this partnership MUST is implementing the Institutional University Cooperation (IUC) funded by VLIR-UOS. The IUC is titled “University as a Facilitator for Community Based Sustainable Solutions to Demographic Challenges in South Western Uganda (UCoBS)” from 2021 to 2032. UCoBS programme focuses on strengthening Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) flagship, the Community Based Education, Research and Service. The goal is to achieve improved and sustainable household livelihoods of the Most at Risk Populations by addressing their demographic challenges. This project is implemented in partnership with other Flemish universities such as Hogeschool West-Vlaanderen (Howest), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven), Universiteit Gent, University of Antwerp. The project is composed of 6 sub-projects namely;

Improved conservation practices of the environment and natural resources
Mechanisms for climate change adaptation for sustainable food production
Increased access and utilization of affordable energy technologies
Improved sexual and reproductive health and rights of women, children and adolescents
Increased youth employability through skilling, innovations, experiential learning and technology transfer
Improved institutional and community ICT capacity to access and utilize information