Kyambogo University has taken a significant step toward its goal of becoming a global hub for academic excellence following the launch of a groundbreaking book by Prof. Elizabeth Kyazike, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Prof. James Mugisha, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and Prof. Peter Mayer.
The book, titled “Diversity Management in Various University Contexts,” was officially unveiled by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eli Katunguka, who hailed the publication as tangible proof that the university’s strategic investment in a “research culture” is yielding high-impact results.
During the launch, Prof. Katunguka emphasized that while writing and publishing at such a high level is a rigorous challenge, it is the lifeblood of a true university. “Writing is not easy, but getting this kind of work is proof that our efforts are paying off despite the challenges we face,” Prof. Katunguka remarked. “We are now seeing a steady increase in books and articles coming out of Kyambogo University. There is hope now that we are realizing our dream as a center of professional and academic excellence.”
The Vice Chancellor noted that for years, the institution struggled to build a sustainable research culture. To bridge this gap, the university management implemented intensive training programs for staff, focusing on: Scientific and Grant Writing, Research Dissemination, and Financial Accountability.
The launch comes at a time when Ugandan universities are facing steep hurdles, including a 33% staffing deficit and limited government funding compared to European counterparts. Prof. Katunguka called on the government to allocate more resources to higher education, noting that universities must be empowered to execute their mandates effectively.
Despite these constraints, Kyambogo has moved aggressively to build its own internal support systems. The university recently celebrated the successful operationalization of its Grants Office, which has already begun streamlining research funding and international collaborations.
The Vice Chancellor used the occasion to outline the next phase of Kyambogo’s transformation. With the Grants Office now stable, the university plans to establish: A Dedicated Writing Centre to provide peer support and professional editing for faculty and graduate students, and a Publication House that will provide a formal platform for the university’s growing volume of research and scholarly work. “As universities, we should work together; that’s when we will succeed,” Prof. Katunguka added, urging for a common goal among academic institutions in Uganda to improve the state of education, which he described as “becoming very complex.”
About the Authors
Prof. Elizabeth Kyazike is a distinguished Associate Professor and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Kyambogo University. A specialist in Archaeology and Heritage Studies, her latest work on Diversity Management addresses the critical need for inclusive frameworks within the increasingly diverse landscape of modern higher education.
Prof. James Mugisha is a distinguished academic and researcher specializing in mental health and public health, with a notable focus on the intersection of physical activity and mental well-being. He is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences.
Dr Mayer is a Professor of International Economics. After obtaining his doctorate from Goethe University in Frankfurt. He worked for the German NGO “Friedrich Ebert – Foundation” in Bonn (1992 – 1993), Ghana (1994-1997) and South Korea (1997-2001) before joining the University of Applied Sciences in Osnabrück. He served in various functions in higher education management.
Tags: Academic Publishing, Diversity Management, higher education Uganda, Kyambogo University, Research and Innovation, University Research Culture