The outgoing Deputy Principal, College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), Prof. Fredrick Jones Muyodi has today, 7th March 2022 handed over to the Principal, Dr Tumps Winston Ireeta. Prof. Muyodi has served as Deputy Principal, CoNAS for four years and eight months starting July 2017 to January 2022.
Presenting his handover report, Prof. Muyodi highlighted some of his achievements including; the establishment and operationalization of the CoNAS Grants/Research office with support from the Carnegie Cooperation of New York; successful coordination/management of internship, revision and development of CoNAS programmes, examination processes, and appointments; effectively created and managed a database for external and internal examiners; eliminated backlog and ensured timely payment of external examiners. With support from various development partners including SIDA, the Carnegie Cooperation of New York, Wellcome Trust, APPEAR, RUFORUM, and LVEMPII, Prof. Muyodi supported the advancement of research and graduate training at the College by participating in the endorsement of research teams and mentoring/supervising a number of students. Prof. Muyodi has and continues to serve on various academic, research and administrative committees of the University.
According to Prof. Muyodi, there are several pending tasks that the incoming Deputy Principal should follow up on. These include; strengthening the research and grants office, popularizing the College programmes, following up on the poor performance in Biology in secondary schools, and strengthening online teaching and learning, as well as pedagogical training especially for the junior members of staff. He also implored the incoming Deputy Principal to follow up on the bidding process to host the Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology at Makerere University. The bidding process is still ongoing with evaluation of potential sites high on the agenda. The Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology will be a one stop national centre with infrastructure for nuclear science education, training, research and development in Uganda.
Prof. Muyodi appreciated all members of staff at the College for the support rendered to him during his term of office. He specifically appreciated the former Principal, Prof. J.Y.T Mugisha for the cordial working relationship, and the College academic leaders and registrars who demonstrated high level of integrity in managing students’ results and other learning and examination processes. “The registrars including Ms. Josephine Ataro, Ms. Agnes Kemigisha, Ms. Helen Kalema Ssali (current College Registrar), Ms. Annet Khabuya and Mr. Albert Baine have been a great resource to the office of the Deputy Principal. They have demonstrated high level professionalism and commitment to their work and this has greatly minimized complaints from students. I am indebted for the support,” he noted. He equally acknowledged the support of his Secretary, Ms. Emily Namatovu. “My success largely depended on her hard work, availability and reliability.”
Prof. Muyodi expressed gratitude to the two outgoing Deans, Prof. Muhammad Ntale (School of Physical Sciences) and Dr Joseph Kyambadde (School of Biosciences) for diligently supporting him and serving the College with utmost commitment.
He appreciated the offices of the Vice Chancellor, University Secretary and University Bursar for the positive and timely response to needs of the College.
Prof. Muyodi pledged total support to the Principal, incoming Deputy Principal and all the new leaders at CoNAS. “I am going back to my mother unit- the Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences, which I have continuously served as a professor and supervisor of undergraduate and graduate students, a researcher and consultant offering outreach services to the community. I will however remain available for service,” he noted.
In his remarks, the Principal of CoNAS, Dr Tumps Winston Ireeta applauded Prof. Muyodi for the great service to the College and the University in general.
The handover was witnessed by the Deans, Dr Michael Owor (School of Physical Sciences), Dr Arthur Tugume (School of Biosciences), Dr Joseph Kyambadde (outgoing Dean, School of Biosciences), the College Registrar, Ms. Helen Kalema Ssali; and Mr Albert Baine, Registrar School of Physical Sciences.