MAKERERE ORGANIZES CONFERENCE TO BOOST MORALE OF STUDENTS IN ICT

Written by: 
Javira Ssebwami

Makerere University is organizing the first ever ‘Biomedical Engineering High School Summer School’ scheduled to run from August 27 to September 31, 2018.

The university says the 5–day event is aimed at interesting students between senior three to senior six in the use of Science and Technology to solve challenges in their communities.

According to information on the university website, the participants will be exposed to engineering design stages, and hands-on experience working in modern scientific research labs. They will also be mentored and guided in their careers by the Makerere University Admissions’ office.

The website indicates that the event looks to tackle the low level of interest in Science, Technology, and Mathematics (STEM) with emphasis on under-represented persons in the industry including people with disabilities and girls.

“In today’s highly computerized and big data-driven society, students’ tech skills need to be developed to unprecedented levels. Unfortunately, as evidenced by the distribution of the candidates in the 2017 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE), only 20% of the candidates pursued science subjects,” the University said on the website.

Other areas of interest include concepts in engineering, health, and environmental sciences to solve real-life challenges targeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG’s).