International Collaboration in Education, Research and Transfer

International collaboration in education, research and transfer KU delegation visits Uganda October 3 - 12, 2018 Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt agrees on collaboration and projects in the field of education in Uganda

The Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (KU) intends to expand on its activities in the area of research and transfer projects in Africa. In order to achieve this goal, the KU will intensify its collaboration with partners in the field of education. Recently, a university delegation led by KU President Prof. Dr. Gabriele Gien visited about a dozen schools and universities in the Central African state in order to establish collaboration projects.

It is a happy reunion for the teachers at St. James Primary School in the capital Kampala when the KU delegation of twelve enters the state school’s premises. Children enthusiastically greet the visitors and curious- ly gather around the guests with the white skin who are called “Muzungus” by the Ugandans. But groups of visitors from Germany are not uncommon at this school in the district of Bii- na – the KU has maintained a partnership with this primary school which has approx. 2,000 pupils for seven years. Only six months ago, two teaching degree students from Eichstätt have spent three weeks at the school to com- A pupil of St. James Primary School plete an internship in order to gather teaching experience under special conditions: very nesses of individual pupils is hardly possible basic classrooms without technology which in view of the number of pupils. These difficult often have to accommodate more than one circumstances in the educational landscape hundred children, the majority of them from were the starting point for KU President Gab- poorest backgrounds. Parents have to pay the riele Gien to establish the first collaboration in equivalent of 100 euros as an annual school Africa and to initiate the KU’s educational pro- fee plus two brooms and toilet paper. ject „KUganda – The Challenge of Education in Uganda“ in 2011. “Our students, and in During class at St. James Primary School, particular those studying in our teaching de- pupils mostly read a text out loud in chorus gree programs, were given the opportunity of which the teacher wrote on the blackboard be- experiencing the organizational structures of forehand. A teaching practice focusing on the a school from an entirely different perspective individual and taking into account the weak- – far from the favorable conditions in Europe. They got first-hand insight into how important it is to have sufficiently qualified teachers in order to make further development of pupils even possible in the first place”, explains Gien.

It was immediately clear that not only KU students should benefit from this valuable collaboration and the KU started to get active in the area of urgently required teacher training. “From the very beginning, it was our desig- nated aim to carry out workshops with lecturers and students of our university as well as Class at St. James Primary School teachers from Uganda to develop common

2 concepts that are tailored to the educational situation in the country. We also wanted to exchange knowledge on didactic methods and take into account African interests when deciding on educational content”, says Gien. The creation of an online platform for best practice examples was very well received among the teachers.

Collaboration with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development

The KU is now planning on expanding its activities in Africa with further projects in the field of education. In autumn last year, the university management and the German development minister Gerd Müller signed an agreement on a collaboration between the KU and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Co- operation and Development. In the context of this collaboration, the parties intend to develop and implement projects for the promotion of education and training in Africa. Further Class at Luigi Giussani High School (top) and details of the cooperation were discussed in graduation ceremony at Luigi Giussani Institute a meeting when KU representatives visited of Higher Education with participation of the Federal Ministry for Economic Coopera- KU President Gabriele Gien tion and Development in Bonn on October 25, 2018. “Our Catholic University attaches The private school, which employs teachers particular importance to applying an integra- from Great Britain and New Zealand, is likely tive approach to our cooperation in the field to be the institution with the best learning con- of education in a developing country in order ditions in Uganda – even German schools to strengthen the region in the long term and can only dream of such equipment and class create functioning structures”, explains Gien sizes of 15 students at most. However, this privilege has its price and costs parents up Drawing on the already existing collabora- to 19,000 dollars per year in school fees. The tions, the KU wants to focus its activities in harsh contrast between rich and poor is cons- Africa on Uganda. This is why KU President tantly visible during the delegation’s visit. Gien traveled to Kampala in early October ac- companied by professors from different disci- The KU maintains a long-standing partnership plines and colleagues from the departments with the Luigi Giussani schools – a primary of research promotion, innovation and transfer school and a high school which were built with and university communication. The delegati- the support of a local charitable organization on started their program by visiting several and thanks to the initiative of mothers from schools – the state primary school St. James the Kampala slums and which now receive as well as other institutions run by private or- international support from Catholic organiza- ganizations. In these private schools, teaching tions in Germany and Italy. The school also conditions are often significantly better com- has an Institute of Higher Education which pared to state schools, in many cases thanks offers further training for teachers. As guest to financial support from abroad. The KU also of honor, KU President Gien attended the concluded a collaboration agreement with the school’s first graduate ceremony for primary GEMS Cambridge International School which school teachers and graduates of a professi- will enable up to four students a year to com- onal development program for head teachers plete internships in future. and school managers and held a ceremonial

3 address. After the ceremony, the delegation discussed possibilities for joint programs for teacher training with the Luigi Giussani Insti- tute. It is envisaged to include an international online teaching project based at the Chair of Elementary Education, led by Prof. Dr. Klau- dia Schultheis, into the collaboration.

Fifty per cent of young citizens in Uganda have no completed Part of the KU delegation together with represen- school education tatives of Makerere University

For the first time, the KU established relations The public Makerere University in Kampa- with a school project in the Masaka district, la with its 40,000 students and 13 colleges approx. 90 miles southwest of the capital (faculties) is the biggest university in the Kampala. An association from Remscheid country and the fifth biggest university in Afri- in Germany supports the operation of an or- ca. The KU had already signed a cooperation phanage, a primary school, a high school, a agreement with Makerere back in 2014. To vocational school and a medical center. Sup- date, however, the collaboration was limited port in the field of education is of particular to a student exchange program: This semes- importance in rural areas of Uganda. The pro- ter as well, two students from Eichstätt spend vision of a comprehensive network of schools their semester abroad in Kampala. is one of the country’s major problems – often, the way to the next village with a school is too far for many children. Furthermore, many pa- The KU delegation spent a one-day visit at rents cannot afford the school fees or need Makerere University. During the meeting, the their children’s support for work on their farms. university management, the head of the rese- There are also major deficiencies when it co- arch and graduate center and representatives mes to inclusion of children with disabilities from the field of teacher training discussed in regular school classes. According to figu- topics and formats for a collaboration in the res published by the Ugandan government in area of research and transfer projects. Prof. 2015, more than 50 per cent of young people Dr. Thomas Setzer from the KU Ingolstadt between 15 and 30 years of age have either School of Management led a half-day work- not completed their primary school education shop for students from the College of Compu- or had no school education at all. ting and Information Science. In small groups,

Meeting between KU and representatives of the Mi- Workshop led by Prof. Dr. Thomas Setzer (left) from nistry of Education and Sports – the picture shows the KU Ingolstadt School of Management for stu- KU President Gabriele Gien and George Muteekan- dents of Makerere University on the topic of busi- ga, Commissioner Private Schools and Institutions ness models in the area of digitalization

4 KU delegation visiting Luigi Giussani Primary School in Kampala – with Principal Andrea Nembrini (to the left of KU President Gien) and Mauro Giacomazzi of Luigi Giussani Institute (to the right of Prof. Gien) participants were invited to develop business President Prof. Dr. Gabriele Gien signed a models based on the use of internet technolo- Memorandum of Understanding. Over the fol- gies. Prof. Setzer demonstrated an example of lowing months, both Catholic universities are a watering system which automatically activates planning on establishing student and lectu- a pump in case of a drought and which can be rers exchange programs and developing joint monitored and controlled remotely using the in- projects in research and transfer. ternet – despite complex technology, the parts of the system only cost around 40 dollars. Background discussions on the political and economic situation in Uganda as well as on The KU delegation also spent a day’s visit at issues of educational policy complemented Uganda Martyrs University in Nkozi, about the trip. The delegation met with the German 50 miles southwest of Kampala. The Catholic Ambassador in Uganda, Dr. Albrecht Conze, university is led by the Ugandan Bishops Con- with representatives of the Ministry of Educa- ference and also has similarities with the KU tion and Sports, with the head of the internatio- regarding the size (approx. 5,000 students), nal office of the foundationKonrad-Adenauer- structure of courses and the green campus. Stiftung, Dr. Mathias Kamp and the head of the More than 30 representatives from all ten fa- DAAD-Lektorat, Steven Heimlich culties and institutes gave the KU delegation a warm reception. After the meeting, Vice Text and photos: Dr. Christian Klenk Chancellor Rev. Prof. John C. Maviiri and KU Translation: Sylvia Schmager

Meeting with the Ambassador of the Federal Vice Chancellor Rev. Prof. John C. Maviiri from Republic of Germany in Uganda, Dr. Albrecht Conze Uganda Martyrs University and KU President (middle of picture) and background discussions Prof. Dr. Gabriele Gien with the newly signed on economic and political situation in Uganda. Memorandum of Understanding.

5 Uganda delegation 2018 Overview of visits and meetings (1)

Day Institution Dialog partners Content and results Background discussions on political and economic situation October 3 German Embassy Ambassador Reception on the occasion of the anniversary and 11 Dr. Albrecht Conze of German unification; background discussions on political and economic situation in Uganda; assessment of success of structural development and educational projects October 10 Ministry of Educati- George Muteekanga, Discussion on the education situation in Ugan- on and Sports Commissioner da and possibilities for cooperation with the Private Schools KU in the areas of teacher training and profes- and Institutions sional development programs for teachers October 11 Konrad-Adenauer- Mathias Kamp, Head Background discussions on political and Stiftung Kampala of international office economic situation in Uganda focusing on education and media politics (e.g. social media tax); possibilities for collaboration between KU and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung on educational offers Cooperation negotiations with schools and school operators October 4 GEMS Cambridge Nigel Barrett, Tour around the private school and explana- International School Head of Primary tion of educational concept; presentation of concept of “Dream Africa Schools” which are part of the GEMS; discussion on possibilities for collaboration with the KU; agreement on up to four internship places per year for KU teaching degree students. October 8 Luigi Giussani Mauro Giacomazzi, Tour around the schools and conversation and 9 Primary School, Executive Director with teachers; attending graduation ceremony Luigi Giussani of Luigi Giussani Institute of Higher Education; High School, Luigi Director discussion on collaboration projects with Giussani Institute of Of primary school schools and professional development Higher Education and high school institute: – participation in KU International Online Teaching Project (IPC) (Prof. Dr. Klaudia Schultheis) – joint programs on professional development programs for teachers; leadership programs – joint case studies (Prof. Dr. Thomas Setzer) – community building, service learning October 4 St. James Primary School management Continuing of cooperation between St. James and 10 School Biina, and part of teaching and KU; provision of internship places for Kampala staff teaching degree students October 13 Our Children and Emmanuel Musoke, Tour around the education institution our future (OCAOF): founder of Our Child- orphanage, ren and our future e.V. St. Francis Primary School Bbaala, School management Uganda Martyr’s and teachers at the Highschool Kitam- three schools ba, Kitamba Techni- cal and Vocational Institute

6 Uganda delegation 2018 Overview of visits and meetings (2) Day Institution Dialog partners Content and results Collaborations with universities – Makerere University October 10 Makerere University, Prof. Ernest Okello Discussions with university management Kampala/ university Ogwang, Acting Vice of Makerere University on possibilities for management Chancellor deepening existing cooperation: – Continuation of student exchange program Prof. Tony Oyana, – Joint research projects in the areas of Principal of College education/primary school, leadership and of Computing and management, digital competences, service Information Science learning – Testing of new teaching-learning formats Makerere University, Prof. Buyinza Discussion on possible fields for joint Kampala / Mukadasi, Director research projects Directorate for Research and Graduate Makerere University, Dr. David Kabugo Discussion on possible joint projects in the Kampala / area of teacher training and service learning College of Education and External Studies Makerere University, Steven Heimlich Discussion on funding opportunities DAAD Lektorat for student and lecturers exchange between the KU and Makerere University Makerere University, Workshop led by Prof. Dr. Thomas Setzer Kampala, for students of Makerere University on the College of Compu- topic “Digitalization with special focus on ting and Information data-based business models” Science Collaborations with universities – Uganda Martyrs University October 12 Uganda Martyrs Rev. Prof. John Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding University, Nkozi C. Maviiri, by the Vice Chancellor of Martyrs University Vice Chancellor and the KU President. and approx. 30 representatives of Agreement on academic collaboration in the Martyrs University area of exchange programs (students, lecturers) and joint projects (research, teaching, transfer) Further visits and discussions October 9 MYDEL Mengo Moses Musiitwa, Visit at the youth center in the Mengo Slum Youth Link Parker Randall in Kampala and discussions with responsible Development Eastern Africa coordinators on site October 11 Meeting Point Rose Busingye, Visiting an aid project in the slums of Naguru International founder and Kireka in Kampala October 12 Katigondo National Tour around the central seminary for Uganda Major Seminary, and meeting with management Masaka

7 https://www.umu.ac.ug/umu-receives-delegation-from-the-catholic-university-of-eichstatt-ingolstadt/

8 https://news.mak.ac.ug/2018/10/catholic-university-eichstatt-ingolstadt-visits-mak-promotes-relations

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