Makerere University has launched a training program aimed at equipping academic staff with competence-based teaching skills to enhance learning.
The Pedagogy and Professionalism Course, implemented by the Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) through the Centre of Teaching and Learning Support (CTLS), targets lecturers across all colleges. The initiative aligns with the university’s strategy to promote innovative teaching and learning.
The first cohort of 50 lecturers, drawn from 10 colleges, completed a three-day training workshop from February 19 to 21, 2025 at the School of Business Conference Room.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi emphasized the need for continuous learning to meet the evolving demands of education.
“The world is changing, and different teaching methods must be employed to meet the diverse needs of students. The best way to remain relevant in academia is by adapting to emerging developments and learning new technologies,” he said.
The training covered key areas such as university pedagogy, competence-based curriculum, active learning, entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies.
Dr. Dorothy Kyagaba, Coordinator at CTLS, commended the Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor for fostering a supportive environment for innovative teaching. She urged participants to apply the skills acquired to improve learning at Makerere.
“The knowledge gained should be used to create a positive impact in teaching and learning,” she said.
On behalf of the Principal of the College of Education and External Studies, Prof. Anthony Mugagga, Dean of the School of Education, Assoc.
Prof. Mathias Mulumba stressed the importance of expanding the training to academic leaders.
“For the next cohort, we will train academic leaders—Principals, Deputy Principals, Deans, and Heads of Departments—so they can champion competence-based education at Makerere,” he said.
Prof. Mulumba highlighted Makerere’s ongoing role in rolling out competence-based methodologies in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports, the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC), and the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB).
Through a government-funded research project under the Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (MakRIF), the university is also training teacher educators in competency-based curriculum at Busitema University and Mountains of the Moon University.
Makerere plans to roll out the training across all colleges to ensure all lecturers are equipped with modern teaching methodologies.
