NITA-U Donates E-Learning Equipment to MAK

The National Information Technology Authority Uganda (NITA-U) in collaboration with HUAWEI extended a benevolent gesture to Makerere University (MAK) in order to support efforts of open distance and e- learning (ODEL) by donating ICT equipment, this included 2 smart boards and 15 laptops.

The meeting was graced with the presence of personalities from the Makerere University administration, NITA-U, HUAWEI, Directorate of ICT MAK (DICTS), The Institute of Open Distance and e-Learning MAK (IODEL) and Public Relations Office.

The Director DICTS Mr. Sam Mugabi appreciated NITA for the donation and implored NITA-U to negotiate with government so that academic institutions can get affordable internet bandwidth, he thanked the Vice Chancellor Prof.Barnabas Nawangwe for the continued supported of e-Learning in the university, and commended HUAWEI’s commitment towards improvement of ICTs in the University.

The Vice Chancellor (VC)MAK Prof.Barnabas Nawangwe in his remarks articulated that the covid19 breakout led the University to accelerate the strategic plan as far as teaching and learning is concerned. He said that the future is ODEL     and that it allows staff to free up more time to do research. He extended his appreciation to IODEL, DICTS and NITA and HUAWEI. He also persuaded NITA to partner with MAK in areas of research and internships reassuring them that MAK has a lot of untapped potential.

The VC encouraged the MAK community to think for the future not a community and to desist from demonstrations that disrupt University activities.

Dr.Hatwib Mugasa Executive Director NITA-U thanked Makerere University for being a trailblazer as far as pushing the digital agenda is concerned, and that when he was approached by HUAWEI for the donation MAK took first priority as a potential beneficiary, he asserted that NITA has a strong commitment to work with MAK that is attested to by the fact that its 2 board members come from MAK. He pledged subsequent interactions with MAK as they intend to expand their research development and planning department.

Dr. Umar Kakumba the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs MAK expressed his gratitude for donation, he elaborated that MAK has 1400 academic staff, 180-degree programmes and 10 colleges, he stipulated that MAK intends to have at least one multimedia studio in each in college to allow for recording of course content that will be distributed online for study purposes.

Dr. Godfrey Mayende the Ag.Director IODEL giving concluding remarks applauded the noble gesture by NITA and support rendered by the University to IODEL these involve fulfilling staff training needs and provision of equipment, he highlighted the need for more equipment since 2 smart boards is but a fraction of the number required to sustain 10 colleges.

 

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