Researchers asked to foster social, economic, and political impact

The Energy sector is calling upon students studying Energy Economics, Science and Management to ensure that their research is practical and actionable especially at implementation stage by local agencies and Government Departments.
It was noted that the impact of research goes beyond publication, and it should aim at fostering social, economic, and political impact.
Dr. Zainabu Kakungulu, the Program Officer, Food Agricultural organization made the remarks at Makerere University Business School, while attending a symposium organised by the School as part of the activities to mark the Norwegian Program for Capacity Development in Higher Education and Research for Development (NORHED) second week in Uganda.
On Monday, October 2, 2023, Makerere University hosted the opening of the second NORHED week in Uganda. The NORHED program was established in Uganda in 2013, and Makerere University has become Norway’s largest global partner within NORHED.
NORHED has evolved over time into Institutional partnerships that include joint research and publications, staff and student exchange, development of new study programmes and upgrading of laboratories and library resources.
The collaboration is extended to other Institutions that include; Makerere University Business School, Uganda Christian University, Kyambogo University, Gulu University and Uganda Martyrs University.
This year’s NORHED Week focused on the relevance of research for society, Efforts to translate research into policies, practices, and services that tackle local challenges is central. During the opening, the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Monica Musenero, and the Head of the NORHED Delegation, Solbjørg Sjøveian, emphasized the importance of relevant and context-specific research that contributes to social change.
Over 300 Ugandans have completed their PhDs through Norwegian support, with many working directly with local communities on impact-oriented research.
One good example in that regard is Makerere’s College of Computing and Information Sciences which conducts cutting-edge research addressing challenges related to climate change by weather monitoring stations developed through IoT-solutions.