Mapronano Ace
Mapronano Ace Heading link
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Project Site Name
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Project Site Location
Kampala, Uganda
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Project Site Partner(s)
The Africa Center of Excellence in Materials, Product Development and Nanotechnologh (MAPRONANO ACE)
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UIC CGH Faculty Contact
Gelila Goba
Project/Activity Summary Heading link
Makerere University was initially established in 1922 as a technical school; throughout its 90-year history, it has remained one of the oldest and most prestigious English Universities in Africa. After becoming an independent national university of the Republic of Uganda, Makerere University has expanded to offer day, even and external study programs that lead to undergraduate and postgraduate awards. It serves a student body of about 35,000 undergraduates and 3,000 postgraduates, and is a very active center for research.
A collaboration between the College of Health Sciences at Makerere University, University of Illinois at Chicago, the World Bank, and many others has led to The Africa Center of Excellence in Materials, Product Development and Nanotechnology (MAPRONANO ACE) being established in the College of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering at Makerere University. MAPRONANO ACE will provide training to over 68 Master’s and 12 PhD’s in three multi-disciplinary themes: (1) nanotechnology; (2) Materials and Product Development and (3) Nano-medicine.
MAPRONANO ACE is multi-disciplinary, spanning across engineering and health sciences. It was developed in response to the need for stronger research and training in these 3 thematic areas. Its key objectives are to (I) increase capacity of research and training in materials engineering and product development; (II) enhance teaching and training in Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine; (III) promote linkage among academics, industry practitioners and policy makers and (IV) promote research spin offs for industrial development.
There have already been 2 PhD students admitted nationally, there is an annual steering committee meeting held between ACE and UIC, the procurement of office furniture and IT equipment is in the final stages, there is a draft of short courses curricula developed (M.Sc./B.Sc. curriculum review in progress), 5 students have been identified from the University of Rwanda that will benefit from this funding, and the laboratory space has been identified.