A team of staff of Northeastern University comprised of J.J. Kappa, Khalid I. Koddi, and Swaby Meisha paid a courtesy call on the Principal of the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) while on a mission to lay strategies for the forthcoming study abroad program.
Over twenty students from Northeastern University will next summer come to the Margret Trowel School of Industrial and Fine Art for a period of three weeks. While here, students will take on two courses identified by the faculty, engage with the local community to get the cultural experience and visit the cultural sites such as the museum and Nagenda International Academy of Art and Design (NIAD) among other areas.
While receiving the team, the Principal, Prof. Moses Musinguzi gave a brief background to the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) as one of the ten Colleges making up Makerere University, as well as MTSIFA as one of the Schools making up the College.
He said the College was open to receive partner universities and was ready to build long lasting partnerships and networks with such institutions in order to share the knowledge and skills and learn from each other.
The Deputy Principal CEDAT Assoc. Prof. Kizito Maria Kasule further explained how the Margaret Trowel School of Industrial and Fine Art came into being, having been an initiation of Margaret Trowel where Africans were introduced to the study of art and design under a tree, and later on the degree program introduced in the 1970s. he said to date, the Heritage and Restoration center hosted at MTSIFA has got the biggest collection of modern art below Sahara without including South Africa
The team according to J.J. Kappa, the Associate Director for Global Safety was in the country to ensure adequate preparation in terms of safety, accommodation as well as medical care for the students most of whom will be in Africa for the first time and in order to ensure that the academics are not affected by safety issues.
A number of faculty from MITSIFA have been lined up to support the students who will have lots of moving around, undertake studio work, engage in local cultural activities all culminating into an exhibition.