Dr Michael Owor, formerly Head, Department of Geology and Petroleum Studies at the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) has been appointed Dean, School of Physical Sciences. He takes on from Prof. Mohammad Ntale who has held the position since January 2018. Dr Owor will serve a four-year term effective 1st February 2022. The School of Physical Sciences is composed of four departments namely; Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Geology and Petroleum Studies. Overall, Deans oversee academic and administrative functions at School level.
At the handover ceremony held on 7th February 2022, and presided over by the Deputy Principal, Prof. Fredrick Jones Muyodi, Prof. Ntale briefed the incoming Dean on his accomplishments and pending tasks with regard to examinations, processing of results, and programme review.
In his presentation, Prof. Ntale appreciated the outgoing Principal, Prof. J.Y.T. Mugisha, the Deputy Principal, Prof. Fredrick Jones Muyodi, the Heads of Department, College and School Registrars, and all members of staff at CoNAS for the comradeship and support accorded to him during his term of office. “It was of great value for me to establish a cordial working relationship with all categories of staff at CoNAS. I learnt a lot from them,” he noted.
In a special way, Prof. Ntale appreciated Makerere University Management for the appointment and support extended to him during his four years of service.
He pledged total support to the incoming Dean to further improve the school.
Prof. Ntale will be going back to Chemistry, his mother Department which he has continuously served as an academic and supervisor of both undergraduate and graduate students.
In their remarks, the Deputy Principal, Prof. Fredrick Jones Muyodi, and Heads of Department including Dr John Wasswa (Chemistry), Dr Denis Okello (Physics) and Dr Godwin Kakuba (Mathematics) described Prof. Ntale as a hardworking, supportive, patient, and approachable person. They expressed gratitude for his mentorship and guidance to all staff at the College.
The incoming Dean, Dr Michael Owor appreciated the University Management for the appointment. He thanked the outgoing Dean for his service to the School and the College in general. “Prof. Ntale is a dynamic and adaptable person, very easy to work with even in the most difficult times. I appreciate the support and mentorship he has accorded me over the years,” he said.
Brief on Dr Michael Owor
Dr Michael Owor is an Associate Professor and former Head, Department of Geology & Petroleum Studies, School of Physical Sciences at the College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University. He holds a PhD in Groundwater-surface water interactions from the University College London, UK, a PhD in Environmental Geohydrology from Makerere University, an MSc in Water Resource Surveys from the International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), Enschede, The Netherlands, and a BSc Geology and Chemistry of Makerere University. He has 24 years teaching experience and has supervised several students, both undergraduate and graduate. He has over 20 years professional and research experience using tools such as site measurements, remote sensing, GIS, isotopes and geophysics to develop groundwater and to evaluate and map out environmental influences and impacts on water resources. His career goal is to contribute to the availability of safe-water and hygiene for food security, health, socio-economics, under conditions of climate change/variability. Dr Owor is currently a member of the National Oil and Gas Sector Skills Council of the Ministry of Education and Sports, Uganda.