Entebbe, (UG):- Busitema University and Ndejje University have signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) to enhance hands-on learning experiences for students while advancing agricultural research and innovation.
The partnerships, signed last Monday, February 03, at NARO Headquarters in Entebbe, are also aimed at strengthening research, training, and resource-sharing to drive national development and promote high-quality agricultural innovations.
Dr. Yona Baguma, the NARO Director General, witnessed the signing of the MoUs alongside Prof. Olivia Nassaka Banja, Vice Chancellor of Ndejje University, and Rev. Can. Prof. Paul Waako, Vice Chancellor of Busitema University.
The MoUs, DailyExpress understands, seek to establish multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research cooperation, focusing on conducting basic, applied, strategic, and collaborative research with business opportunities.
They also aim to promote high-quality training of scientists and human resources for sustainable development while enhancing the utilization of human, laboratory, and physical resources between NARO and the universities.
To achieve these goals, the parties agreed to undertake joint activities, including research and innovation projects, training programs and student supervision, community outreach and technology transfer, and staff exchange programs to foster knowledge-sharing.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr Yona Baguma emphasized the importance of these partnerships in advancing agricultural research and innovation.
“These agreements will enable us to leverage our combined expertise and infrastructure to enhance research and training, which are critical for the socio-economic transformation of Uganda. Collaboration with academia is vital in driving evidence-based policies and developing solutions that address real-world agricultural challenges,” he stated.
He further noted that universities are knowledge generators while NARO is a technology generator, and these partnerships ensure that knowledge is transitioned into technology through availing students with opportunities for hands-on experiences.
“When we come together, we deliver at scale, and society is the ultimate beneficiary of our works,” he added.
Prof. Nassaka [Ndejje] and Prof. Waako [Busitema] expressed optimism that these partnerships would provide their students and researchers with greater exposure to cutting-edge agricultural technologies and practical learning experiences.
Prof. Waako described the partnership as strategic, noting that Busitema University is one of the rapidly growing universities in the country.
In attendance at the signing were the NARO Deputy Directors for Research Coordination and Agricultural Technology Promotion, Dr Swidiq Mugerwa and Dr Sadik Kassim, respectively. The Director of Corporate Services, Dr Kisaka Stevens, the Director of Finance, Mr Julius Tegiike, Director of Internal Audit, Mr Owor Dennis, also attended among other officials.
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