By Dr. Margaret J. Kigozi
Makerere University has for the last century been a symbol of academic excellence, a place where bright minds are nurtured and empowered to continuously build for the future. But to ensure this legacy continues, we need your help!
The Makerere University Endowment Fund has organised the #MakRun2024 scheduled for 18th August, 2024 and is premised under the theme, “Run for students with disabilities”. All proceeds will be channelled towards the construction of a students’ centre with a dedicated disability support unit.
Friends, it is imperative that as we progress into the future, we ensure that no student is left behind. Students with disabilities possess immense talent, potential, and a desire to learn. It's our responsibility to provide them with the necessary support and resources to thrive. By fostering an inclusive environment, we not only uphold our values of equity and fairness but also enrich the fabric of our academic community.
At the Makerere University Endowment Fund, we are putting in every effort to create a sustainable source of funding for the university. Globally, a university endowment fund serves as a financial reserve, providing sustained support for various academic initiatives, scholarships, infrastructure development, and more. Our fund represents a collective investment in the future of Makerere University, ensuring its continued excellence and advancement. Despite being in its early stages, I am glad to share with you that the Fund has since grown to UGX 11.5 billion, and our corporate objective is to increase it to UGX 20 billion by 2026.
Makerere’s journey in supporting students with disabilities
I'm pleased to highlight that Makerere University isn't just embarking on its journey towards a more inclusive academic environment; it has been taking consistent strides to empower students living with disabilities. As a testament to this commitment, the university has implemented various measures to facilitate accessibility and support for these students.
For instance, as a matter of policy, the ground floor rooms in the halls of residence are predominantly allocated to students with disabilities. Similarly, in the Main Library, ground floor rooms are exclusively reserved for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), mitigating accessibility challenges. Moreover, to enhance wheelchair accessibility, new buildings are equipped with ramps, and existing structures like Mary Stuart Hall, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) building, and the Department of Chemistry have been retrofitted with ramps.
Recognising the financial burden that may accompany disability-related needs, the university extends financial assistance to students on the disability scheme, aiding them in acquiring necessary equipment and materials for their academic pursuits. Furthermore, guides and interpreters are provided, with the university ensuring they receive compensation for their valuable support.
In line with fostering inclusive leadership opportunities, PWDs are actively encouraged to participate in leadership roles at various levels, including halls, colleges, and the students' guild. The students' guild, for instance, reserves four slots for representatives with special needs, among the various Guild Representative Councillors (GRCs).
These initiatives underscore Makerere's unwavering dedication to creating a campus environment where every student, regardless of ability, can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the academic community.
It is in the same spirit that the fund is spearheading fundraising efforts to establish a disability support unit with modern features like assistive technology such as screen magnification software, specialised keyboards and mice, communication accessibility such as software for text-to-speech and speech-to-text conversion, and induction loop systems for hearing aids among others.
How to participate in the #MakRun2024
The #MakRun2024 has a good range of races for both seasoned athletes and casual runners. Races to be ran include 5km fun run/walk, a more challenging 10km or 21km race, and a special 5km wheelchair race.
The running kit is being sold at only UGX20,000 and here is how you can access it:
- Dial *212#
- Select Muzuri Pay
- Enter code 121690
- Pay UGX20,000 for your running kit
- A code will be shared which will then be used to claim your kit at selected pick up points.
So, lace up your shoes, gather your friends and family, and join us for a day of fun, fitness, and philanthropy.
See you at the starting line!
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