The UNESCO Headquarters team for the China Funds-in-Trust (CFIT) Phase III project, which focuses on Higher Education in Africa for a Technical and Innovative Workforce, conducted a Mid-Term Review Pilot mission visit to MUST on 31st July 2023 and was impressed by the progress attained. The delegation included; Ms. Qingling Kong, Project Officer, UNESCO CFIT III Project; Prof. Yufeng Liu, CFIT III Loaned expert, Dr. Patience Awopegba, CFIT III focal colleague, UNESCO Field Office Nairobi; Mr. Timothy Musoke Ssejjoba, Senior Education Officer, Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Sports, Uganda and Ms. Rose Nasaba the UNESCO Uganda office contact person. Attending on line was Ms. Anne Murphy, CFIT III technical support expert for Uganda.
Left to Right: Mr. Timothy Musoke Ssejjoba, Ms. Sheila Niinye, Ms. Qingling Kong, Prof. Nixon Kamukama, Prof. Yufeng Liu, Ms. Rose Nasaba, Dr. Patience Awopegba, Dr. Medard Twinamatsiko
The Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs, Prof. Nixon Kamukama representing the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Celestino Obua, expressed gratitude to the Chinese Government for their collaboration with MUST on the project. He emphasized MUST’s commitment to fostering partnerships and equipping students with the skills to become successful global competitors and employers. He also commended the CFIT project team, led by Dr. Medard Twinamatsiko, for encouraging students to innovate solutions for employability challenges.
Presenting the objectives of the visit, Ms. Qingling Kong acknowledged the significant achievements made in the first eighteen months of the project and outlined the goals of the review. These included evaluating the project’s best practices and job creation opportunities at MUST, identifying areas for improvement, and exploring possibilities for further support. Additionally, the review aimed at assessing the project’s progress in the post COVID 19-era and inform UNESCO’s approach to similar projects at other universities.
The team leader, Dr. Medard Twinamatsiko presented an update on the implementation of the CFIT III project. He highlighted its focus on upskilling and reskilling youths through entrepreneurship short courses, which have shown transformative results. Notably, an extensive and comprehensive Labor Market Analysis in Uganda conducted by the team played a crucial role in informing the development of the courses. Testimonies from Prof. Julius Lejju Bunny, the Dean of the Faculty of Science and Dr. Kasim Tolo the Centre Director of PHARMBIOTRAC highlighted the project’s positive impact on academic and lecturing skills and the quality assurance and control benchmarks.
A discussion session facilitated by Ms. Anne Murphy and representatives from UNESCO -CFIT followed the presentations. The Labor Market Analysis conducted was recognized as an essential tool, and the implementation team was praised for their diligent work. The methodology for formulating the short courses was discussed, with a focus on MUST’s strengths in science and technology, labor market analysis, community needs, commercialization and product viability. Quality assurance mechanisms are under development and the Directorate of Industrial Training, emphasizing practical and experiential learning, will accredit all courses.
Above: Students displaying their backyard mushroom packaged products
Below: A student explaining the Industrial ghee base innovation
The CFIT III team appreciated the project’s progress and expressed the willingness to support further collaborations between universities and industries across Uganda and Africa. The visit ended by touring exhibitions show casing the innovations by the MUST trained youths, visiting the PHARMBIOTRAC Production Laboratory and Herbal Museum. Fifteen innovating teams showcased their ground breaking agricultural projects designed to address local challenges and ably earn them income while making a positive difference in their communities.
Succeed we must!