MakCoNAS First Year Students’ Orientation

Each year, Makerere University admits over 10,000 students to various programmes in the 10 constituent Colleges. This Academic Year, 2021/2022, the University admitted about 800 students to various disciplines at the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS).

The Principal, Prof. JYT. Mugisha addressing the students
The Principal, Prof. JYT. Mugisha addressing the students

Orientation of students

In a bid to enable students settle in well, Colleges, Schools and Departments organize orientations for all newly admitted students, both undergraduate and graduate.

On 2nd February 2022, CoNAS held an orientation for all First Year students, where academic and administrative leaders headed by the Principal, Prof. J.Y.T. Mugisha briefed them about the College and the University in general.

The Deputy Principal, Dr Fredrick Muyodi delivering his remarks
The Deputy Principal, Dr Fredrick Muyodi delivering his remarks

In his remarks, the Principal welcomed the students and encouraged them to remain focused, noting that they had made the best choice, ‘since the basic sciences form the foundation for all science’. He cautioned the students to avoid temptations that may cause dropout, but also to be keen on fraudsters who target unsuspecting newly admitted students.

 The newly admitted students at the orientation
 The newly admitted students at the orientation

In similar regard, the College academic heads led by Prof. Fredrick Muyodi, Deputy Principal welcomed and briefed students about the programmes in the College. The Deans and Heads in attendance specifically introduced the students to programmes in their respective units. These included Dr Joseph Kyambadde, Dean School of Biosciences; Dr Vuzi Peter, Head, Department of Biochemistry and Sports Science; Dr Michael Owor, Head Department of Geology and Petroleum Studies; Dr John Wasswa, Head Department of Chemistry; Dr Eric Sande, Head Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences; Dr Arthur Tugume, Head Department of Plant Sciences, Microbiology and Biotechnology; and Dr Denis Okello, Head Department of Physics. The meeting was also attended by the College and School registrars led by Ms. Hellen Kalema Ssali who sensitized the students on various academic policies regarding registration, tuition payment, withdrawal from a programme, change of programme, examinations and irregularities.

Some of the Academic and Administrative leaders who turned up for the orientation
Some of the Academic and Administrative leaders who turned up for the orientation

 In the course of the meeting, Mr Opio Arthur from the Directorate of ICT, Makerere University guided the students through the various portals for online registration, generation of reference numbers for fees payment, creation of university email and access to MUELE – the Makerere University E-Learning platform. Mr. Opio informed the students that the Directorate would organize more training sessions with regard to access and use of the portals.

Other Leaders at the orientation

Important links shared by DICTS

1. How to activate your Mak email –  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdJzGQP3eLI

2. How to activate your Mak Student’s Portal https://youtu.be/7KisJ4FoTnk

3. An OVERVIEW of the Mak Student’s Portal https://youtu.be/xKdjBasIF28

4. How to Enroll & Register As Normal Progress Student (Without

5. Retakes) https://youtu.be/C7rBYCVhfro

6. How to Enroll & Register With Retakes For A Previous Semester https://youtu.be/l0AwTODx3IY

7. How to Allocate Tuition That Was Paid & Isn’t Reflecting https://youtu.be/tJimvIIMQXI

8. How to activate a MUELE account –  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdLjgnOphOU

The College Registrar, Ms. Hellen Kalema Ssali briefing the students
The College Registrar, Ms. Hellen Kalema Ssali briefing the students

Students’ mental welfare

At the same event, the Manager, Counseling and Guidance Centre at Makerere University, Mr. Henry Nsubuga shared experiences of the various challenges faced by students and provided guidance on stress management. He also informed the students about the University Sexual Harassment Policy and how to deal with the challenge.

The Manager Counseling and Guidance Centre, Mr Henry Nsubuga
The Manager Counseling and Guidance Centre, Mr Henry Nsubuga

Academic Programmes at CoNAS

To access details about Academic programmes at CoNAS, click on: https://cns.mak.ac.ug/academic-programmes

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