Makerere University and Sweden have signed a US$ 4.5 million about (UGX. 18 billion) research collaboration agreement to increase the capacity of Makerere and four other public universities to generate knowledge and promote research uptake for national and regional development.
The research collaboration signed today May 14 at Makerere University is an extra two years plan that will involve five universities in Uganda and Swedish universities, according to Per Lindgärde Sweden’s ambassador to Uganda.
“Today, @SwedEnvoyUganda and Makerere VC signed an agreement for the extension of Sweden’s support to Makerere and 4 other public universities worth USD 4.5million about (UGX.18 billion) for the next 2 years,” the Swedish Embassy wrote on Thursday.
Ambassador Lindgärde said the support will go to completing students and institutional capacity building.
Makerere University will administer the grant which aims to fund 100 PhD students.
According to the agreement, signed by Ambassador Lindgärde and Makerere’s Prof Nawangwe the Swedish government will provide the USD 4.5 million for research, with the Government of Uganda expected to continue paying the salaries of the local researchers.
Sweden and Uganda have enjoyed a long beneficial partnership in research and development during which all funded doctoral studies took place in Sweden.
Prof Barnabas Nawangwe vice-chancellor of Makerere University, says the universities will nurture experts to formulate problems and create knowledge.
Prof Nawangwe notes that the grant extension is for two years with an extra USD 4.5million.
He says the twoyear extension will enable Makerere and partnering Swedish Universities complete the training of 100 PhDs for partner Uganda public university.
Kyambogo University, Mbarara University, Gulu University among others to benefit in the project.
