RESEARCH COLLABORATION PROGRAM 2015-2020 MID-TERM EVALUATION REPORT

Project Description:

The main objective of the bilateral research collaboration programme between Uganda and Sweden was to enhance capacity of public higher education institutions to conduct and sustain strategic and high quality research that will contribute to the development needs of Uganda and beyond through building a critical mass of independent researchers. The research programme involved five universities namely, Makerere University (MaK), Kyambogo University (KYU), Busitema University (BU), Gulu University (GU) and Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST). The support to those universities is being hanneled through Makerere University. This document presents the Mid-Term Review (MTR) findings of the Mak-Sida Research Collaboration Programme 2015-2020. The results relate to the nature and contribution of the programme in building institutional capacity among the five partner public universities in Uganda.

The mid-term review largely focused on the appropriateness of the programming mechanisms that were intended to achieve planned outputs, and the institutional systems capabilities. The MTR assessed the academic quality, management of local PhD training, management of cross-cutting courses; and the program partnership with Ugandan public universities. The MTR also assessed the programme progress towards desired outcomes with focus on changes in research capacity and the enabling environment during the period November 2015 –February 2018 in line with programmes Results Based Monitoring (RBM) framework. In addition the appropriateness of programme coordination structures and systems, in terms of overall effectiveness, efficiency, relevancy and sustainability of the research cooperation among the participating public universities in Uganda was assessed.

The over-arching objectives of the assignment were to:
I. Assess academic quality (in terms of; appropriateness of curriculum, staff profile and experience, support resources and infrastructure, pedagogical approaches used) and management of local PhD training, management of cross-cutting courses; and the program partnership with Ugandan regional
universities (in terms of appropriateness of coordination structures, effectiveness and efficiency of management systems).

II. Assess results at the outcome level with focus on changes in research capacity and the enabling environment during the period November 2015 –April 2018 (In terms of institution capacity improvement, policy environment and corporate culture )

III. Make an overall analysis of the research cooperation in relation to its effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, and sustainability.

IV. Make an assessment of the level of institutional preparedness, capacity in terms of resources (human and physical), mechanisms, policies and structures to continue implementing the research programme beyond 2020 (Sustainability strategy)

REPORT LINK - https://www.isp.uu.se/digitalAssets/501/c_501216-l_1-k_mak--sida-final-evaluation-report-august-2018.pdf

Organisation / Company: The Directorate of Research and Graduate Training Makerere University,

Project Year: 2018