KAMPALA, Uganda — Makerere University has appointed Sarah Ssali as the new deputy vice chancellor in charge of academic affairs, making her the second woman to hold the position in the institution’s history.
A professor of gender studies at the university, Ssali brings nearly a decade of administrative experience to the role. She previously served as the dean of the School of Women and Gender Studies and as director of the African Research University Alliance Centre of Excellence in Notions of Identity. Her background also includes 12 years on the University Council and a seat on the governing body of the National Curriculum Development Centre.
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In an interview with reporters following her appointment, Ssali outlined a vision for her tenure centered on institutional collaboration and student well-being. She said she intends to move the university away from siloed instruction toward a more integrated model.
The other thing I have on my horizon is to say how do we come up with knowledge areas of excellence, so that instead of everyone wanting to teach everything as it happens in their course, we have areas of expertise from which we can borrow, Ssali said. That would help make our university more networked and more collaborative.
Beyond the lecture hall, Ssali pledged to address the social and emotional needs of the student body, citing mental health and athletics as primary concerns.
Of course working with the Dean of Students Office, how well are the students living, what is their mental health like and what are the services around mental health, she said. And of course the other thing I’m passionate about is the sports facilities because I think these are very important for anchoring our students.
Ssali holds a doctorate in international health studies and a master’s degree in gender studies. Her undergraduate degree, also from Makerere, is in social sciences with a focus on political science and public administration.
For her first 100 days in office, the new deputy vice chancellor said she plans to audit the university’s existing networks and coordination efforts.
That’s the work of a DVC, she said.
