The Experience of Uganda Christian University
Kukunda Elizabeth Bacwayo (PhD) Assoc. Professor/Dean Faculty of Social Sciences Uganda
Development Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) ensures performance, management and impact of development programmes Many evaluators practice without formal training Mandate of Universities Need for indigenous professional evaluators Uganda sought to fill the gap
Basic Functions of University: 1. Teaching 2. Research 3. Service Historically, teaching and research emphasis Research generates new and improved knowledge in a range of areas
Research provides evidence for policy Investment in HE enables nation to compete effectively in the global economy Public benefits of university educationpreparation of future workers Formation of future citizens
Universities regarded as major part of development project post independence Purpose: 1. Help newly independent countries build capacity 2. Help alleviate poverty 3. Close gap between poor and rich countries
Purpose cont.. 4. Lay a foundation for independent self development and sustaining economies 5. To be sources of indigenous knowledge 6. Sources of Professions and industry 7. Local production of expertise and cadres to staff the public services
Universities contribute to evaluation capacities through: 1. Providing students with evaluation skills that are demanded by the market 2. Develop the capabilities of those preparing to go into the M&E Labour market so they are able to be effective 3. Acting as sources of certification that enables others to know that learning has taken place
4. Provide career advice to students so they can know their options and potential 5. Teach evaluation students how to develop and create knowledge so that they can add to what is known 6. Link students to the evaluation professions through professional networks
7. Increase the amount and quality of research undertaken that can inform policy 8. Develop curricula that responds to the needs of the labour market- curricula that transmits abilities and skills, not just knowledge 9. Generation of theory on best practices in evaluation and provision of linkages between theory and practice
Need for training indigenous leaders to respond to local needs identified by faculty, mentors and students Collaboration between the following: Department of Development Studies, Public Health Save the Mothers International McMaster University, Ministry of Health
Makerere University Funded by DFID Built in Evaluation that was done after running the programme for two years.
2008 Launched PDDES mandate was to help students acquire M&E skills in order to improve quality of life of Ugandans as a result of improved service delivery. designed to produce a critical mass of indigenous development leaders who have the demonstrated knowledge and skills to plan, monitor and evaluate development Programmes
modular Programme running for one Academic Year three modules with three weeks of face to face per module mode of delivery is ideal for the busy worker who wants to upgrade his/her skills in evaluation.
ability to continue working while studying very important. structured in a way that it equips students with hands on skills classes are highly participatory and the pedagogy used facilitates high levels of interaction between lecturers and students
Consulting professionals in Curriculum Development ensured comprehensive and relevant programme Context is vital- Evaluation misunderstood by many Individuals value certification more than acquiring skills-
Evaluation capacity of Ugandans has been built Self sustainability even after the end of donor funding that was used for curriculum development Our graduates are on high demand, some get snapped up before the complete the course
Universities are important for developing theory to inform practice and for imparting knowledge and skills to practitioners Many practitioners have practical skills but lack the theoretical underpinnings to the practice. University has played an important role in building capacity for evaluation.
Thank you for Listening. God bless.