KAMPALA – Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe has been appointed the director of the Worldwide Universities Network based in the UK.
World University Network is a higher education and research network made up of 22 top universities in 12 countries on six continents, which drives research collaboration and addresses issues of global significance.
Makerere, University of Ghana and University of Cape Town are the only three African universities on the list.
Prof Nawangwe becomes the first black to be appointed as director of the network. He said this is a great achievement in his career, and an indication that he is a good leader.
“To me, it is a recognition of my contribution to transforming the university and I am excited about this appointment and I believe it will lead to growth of the university in research,” he said.
“Members of the board take decisions. The network also applies for funding from organisations and the money is given to members, so it is an achievement that will be among the top leaders to take these,” Prof Nawangwe added.
Information on the WUN website indicates that throughout the year, the network hosts conferences, workshops, seminars and events that bring an international community of researchers together to share ideas, spark and collaboration.
The network also provides seed funding to support bright researchers with great ideas to develop their concepts and form international research teams that can subsequently seek long-term funding from external funding agencies. Many WUN collaborations include activities that produce resources for use in teaching or which provide early stage researchers with opportunities to develop presentation skills.
