On Thursday, 17th July 2025, the studios at the Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Art-MTSIFA came alive with artistic expression and design innovations as the Department of Industrial Arts and Applied Design (DIAAD) unveiled their inaugural Year three students’ exhibition for the Bachelor of Industrial Arts and Applied Design (BIAAD) programme.
This landmark event was graced by Prof. Moses Musinguzi, Principal of the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology, alongside Assoc. Prof. Kizito Maria Kasule, Deputy Principal of the college. Their presence underscored the College’s commitment to nurturing creative thinkers and industry-ready professionals equipped with hands-on artistic practical skills.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Kasozi Dorah, Head of DIAAD, hailed the exhibition as a historic milestone both for the students and the dedicated staff in the department and the school at large. “We are celebrating not only the creative and academic achievements of our pioneer class of the BIAAD program,” she remarked, “but also a significant milestone for us as academic staff, the realization of our vision: to train innovative, research-oriented designers who can address societal challenges through design and applied arts.
Launched in 2022, the BIAAD programme welcomed an inaugural cohort of 35 students, many of whom joined after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. These students faced extraordinary hurdles: juggling employment and studies, overcoming academic setbacks, and adapting to a new blended online teaching/learning model. Despite the odds, nearly 30 students stood tall to present their final year projects, showcasing an embodiment of grit, adaptability, and creativity.
The exhibition featured a rich array of design disciplines: Fashion Design, Ceramics, Textiles, Weaving, and Jewellery, Wood and Metal Fabrication anchored in knowledge of Product design, Design Drawing, Design for Sustainability, Digital Media, Art and Design Theory, Communication Skills and Entrepreneurship and Business practice. On display were also creative projects in Painting and Sculpture done by students from the Department of Fine Art.
Each display reflected a deep engagement with community-centered research, positioning design as a responsive and transformative tool. The students’ work aligned perfectly with Uganda’s skilling agenda, which champions hands-on training and innovation for employability and national development.
These efforts were made possible through DIAAD’s emerging collaboration with MAK Unipod, a hub for interdisciplinary design, prototyping and product development which reflects a strong commitment to Makerere University’s vision for practice-led research. This partnership signifies a progressive step toward integrating academic inquiry with hands-on innovation, aligning with the university’s strategic goal of generating knowledge through creative practice, experimentation, and community-oriented design. Through this collaboration, students gained access to advanced technologies, modern fabrication tools, and entrepreneurial mentorship. This empowered them to translate conceptual ideas into real-world tangible solutions. By integrating academic inquiry with real-world relevance, the department continues to forge a path toward impact-driven education.
The event didn’t just mark a memorable exhibition; it marked the birth of new voices in Uganda’s visual art and design ecosystem. DIAAD’s trailblazing graduates are not only showcasing artistry, they are redefining what it means to design for change.
Story by Isemaghendera Alex, IT Officer, MAK-CEDAT
Edited By Dr. Kasozi Dorah, Head of Department of Industrial Arts and Applied Design (DIAAD), MAk-CEDAT