Busitema University has taken a significant step towards expanding its postgraduate training and research portfolio following an assessment visit by officials from the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) under the KfW German Scholarship Programme.

The visit, held on June 15, 2026, at the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, was conducted as part of the evaluation process for the University's proposed Master of Science in Materials Engineering and Master of Science in Industrial Mathematics programmes. The programmes were submitted in response to the IUCEA-KfW scholarship grant call aimed at strengthening postgraduate education and research capacity across East Africa.

If approved, the programmes will position Busitema University among the regional institutions contributing to the development of highly skilled professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), while expanding opportunities for postgraduate training, research, and innovation.

Welcoming the IUCEA delegation, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Saphiina Biira, highlighted the University's commitment to academic excellence, research-driven development, and internationalisation. She noted that Busitema University continues to invest in programmes and partnerships that enhance access to quality education and create opportunities for students from Uganda and beyond.

Prof. Biira also underscored the University's commitment to supporting students through scholarship opportunities, revealing that several international students currently benefit from institutional support.

“Currently, scholarship support is mainly available for undergraduate students, but we are working towards extending similar opportunities to postgraduate students,” she said.

Presenting the academic and strategic justification for the proposed programmes, the Director of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovation, Prof. Samson Rwahwire, explained that the initiative aligns with national and regional priorities aimed at accelerating industrialisation, innovation, and sustainable development.

He noted that the Master of Science in Materials Engineering programme will strengthen expertise in materials processing and value addition, particularly in sectors linked to Uganda's growing mineral resources. Likewise, the Master of Science in Industrial Mathematics programme is expected to produce graduates capable of applying advanced mathematical modelling and data-driven solutions to complex industrial and societal challenges.

According to Prof. Rwahwire, the programmes will contribute to reducing dependence on external expertise while strengthening the region's capacity to transform locally available resources into higher-value products.

He further highlighted Busitema University's growing reputation for research excellence, innovation, and practical problem-solving, noting that the institution continues to invest in modern laboratories, multidisciplinary research infrastructure, and partnerships that support knowledge generation and technology development.

Leading the IUCEA delegation, Mr. Moses Asasiira commended Busitema University for its contribution to science, technology, and innovation, as well as its commitment to advancing higher education beyond major urban centres.

He noted that the IUCEA-KfW scholarship programme seeks to strengthen regional integration through postgraduate education by supporting quality academic programmes that address East Africa's development priorities. The initiative is also designed to promote equitable access to higher education through scholarship opportunities for both male and female students, while providing inclusion for vulnerable groups, including refugees.

“East Africa is one region, and strengthening collaboration among our universities is key to advancing academic excellence and regional development,” Mr. Asasiira said.

During the visit, the IUCEA team interacted with University Management and staff from various departments and received presentations highlighting the institution's academic systems, student support services, research management structures, digital infrastructure, financial systems, and gender-responsive policies.

The delegation also toured laboratories, workshops, and the University library at the Faculty of Engineering and Technology to assess the facilities that would support delivery of the proposed programmes.

The assessment visit represents an important milestone in Busitema University's efforts to expand postgraduate education and strengthen its role as a centre of excellence in science, technology, and innovation. It also reflects the University's growing contribution to regional capacity building and its commitment to producing graduates equipped to address emerging development challenges.

As discussions with IUCEA continue, the University remains optimistic that the proposed programmes will open new opportunities for advanced training, research collaboration, and scholarship support, further enhancing Busitema University's impact on Uganda and the East African region.