Makerere, University of Namibia Renew Deal to Boost Africa-Focused Research

Makerere University (Mak) and the University of Namibia (UNAM) renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on August 13 to enhance collaborative research between academia and industry. Both universities are part of the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), a network of 170 universities in 40 African countries, hosted by the Government of Uganda at Makerere University.

The MoU signing took place during the second RUFORUM Triennial Conference, held from August 12-16 in Windhoek, Namibia. The conference, marking RUFORUM’s 20th anniversary, is themed “Operationalising Higher Agricultural Education and Research Ecosystems for Innovation, Industrialisation, and Economic Development in Africa: A Call for Action.”

In related news, the African Union (AUC) and European Union (EU) have agreed on an EU-Africa strategy within the Global Gateway, aimed at mobilising up to €300 billion in investments. This strategy will focus on digital, climate, energy, transport, health, education, and research sectors. As part of this, €978 million will be allocated for intra-Africa mobility, accessible to all African universities on a competitive basis.

The main goal for African universities is to enhance skills and qualifications across the continent while collaborating with European institutions. This initiative aims to promote inclusive learning mobility opportunities, improve the quality and relevance of internationalisation in higher education, and address unemployment among graduates.

Eligible consortiums must include four to six Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) from Sub-Saharan Africa, with one HEI from an EU member state as a technical partner. Africa must be represented by at least three of its five regions in any application. African universities can participate as associate partners, and the lead applicant must be an HEI in Africa. Each project may receive up to €1.8 million.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, highlighted the ongoing collaboration with UNAM, particularly in setting up UNAM’s School of Pharmacy. He emphasised that the partnership will contribute to finding solutions within Africa and help move the continent out of poverty.

Prof. Kenneth Matengo, Vice Chancellor of UNAM, stressed the importance of shifting focus from collaborations with universities in Europe and America to strengthening ties within Africa. “We need to focus on South to South Cooperation within the Context of Africa,” he stated.

The renewed partnerships between RUFORUM member universities are expected to bolster foresight capacity at African universities, increase academic mobility, and strengthen Centres of Excellence to support regional training and economies of scale.