You are joining CEDAT at an exciting time. The world is changing rapidly, and the disciplines represented in this College are at the centre of that transformation. Every road that is constructed, every car that is manufactured, every building that is designed, every city that is planned, every land parcel that is surveyed, every product that is manufactured and every innovation that improves the quality of life depends on the knowledge and skills of professionals trained in colleges like ours.
This means that you have chosen a profession that carries enormous responsibility. Society will one day look to you to solve some of its most pressing challenges. The education you receive over the next few years should therefore prepare you to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
The College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology is one of the largest and most vibrant colleges at Makerere University. It brings together students and staff from a wide range of disciplines united by one common purpose – to generate knowledge, develop innovative solutions and contribute to sustainable national development. Our students like you designed an electric bus which has now become a flagship innovation as the first locally made bus in Uganda under Kira Motors Corporation. Your firs days here should be directed to thinking about what innovation you should make before leaving the University. The College is ready to support you.
The College is composed of three Schools:
The School of Engineering trains professionals in various engineering disciplines that are shaping modern infrastructure and technology.
The School of the Built Environment prepares architects, quantity surveyors, construction managers, physical planners, geomatics specialists and land managers who contribute to the planning, development and management of our built and natural environments.
The Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Arts nurtures creativity and innovation through industrial design, fine art and related creative disciplines that continue to influence culture, manufacturing and product development.
Although you belong to different programmes, you are all members of one College. I encourage you to interact across disciplines because the problems of today’s world are rarely solved by one profession alone. Engineers increasingly work alongside architects, planners, surveyors, designers, artists, economists and social scientists. The ability to collaborate across disciplines will become one of your greatest strengths.
University education is very different from the education many of you have experienced before. At secondary school, much of your learning was closely supervised. Here, you will enjoy considerably more freedom. However, with that freedom comes greater responsibility. No one will remind you every morning to attend lectures. No one will monitor whether you have completed your assignments before the deadline. No one will force you to spend time in the library or revise your course materials. Success at university depends largely on your own discipline, commitment and personal responsibility.
I therefore encourage you to cultivate good study habits from your very first day. Attend every lecture, laboratory practical, studio session and field exercise. Read beyond the notes provided by your lecturers. Develop the habit of asking questions whenever you do not understand something. Your lecturers are mentors and researchers who are willing to support your learning if you actively seek their guidance.
One of the greatest mistakes that some students make is to underestimate the importance of the first semester. Academic success is built gradually. Every lecture attended, every assignment completed on time and every hour spent studying contributes to your final performance. Likewise, every missed lecture and every postponed assignment accumulates into difficulties later in your programme.
The programmes offered at CEDAT are highly practical. Much of your learning will take place outside the traditional classroom. You will spend time in engineering laboratories, workshops, design studios, computer laboratories and the field. These practical experiences are what transform theoretical knowledge into professional competence. Take them seriously. They will prepare you for industrial training and, ultimately, for professional practice.
As future professionals, you must also appreciate that integrity is the foundation of your career. The reputation of Makerere University has been built over more than one hundred years because society trusts the quality of our graduates. That trust depends on honesty.
I therefore urge you to avoid all forms of academic dishonesty, including examination malpractice, plagiarism and any attempt to obtain marks through dishonest means. A degree is valuable not because of the paper on which it is printed but because of the knowledge, competence and integrity it represents. Protect your reputation from the very beginning of your university life.
You are entering university at a time when technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace. Artificial Intelligence(AI) , robotics, automation, digital engineering, geographic information systems, smart cities, advanced manufacturing and virtual design technologies are transforming every profession represented within this College. I encourage you to embrace these technologies with curiosity and responsibility. Learn how to use Artificial Intelligence and other digital tools to enhance your understanding, improve your productivity and stimulate your creativity. At the same time, remember that technology should never replace critical thinking, originality or professional judgement. The professionals who will excel in the future are those who know how to combine technology with creativity, ethics and sound decision-making.
Innovation has become one of the defining characteristics of CEDAT. Our students and staff continue to develop technologies and solutions that address challenges in agriculture, infrastructure, land administration, manufacturing, energy, housing and many other sectors. I encourage each one of you to think beyond passing examinations. Ask yourself every day what problem you can solve. Many successful innovations begin as simple classroom projects. Some of the most successful companies in the world were started by students who dared to think differently.
During your stay here, you will meet students from different regions of Uganda and from many other countries. Makerere University is one of the most diverse academic communities in Africa. Take advantage of this diversity. Learn from one another. Respect different cultures, opinions and beliefs. The friendships and professional networks you build here may become some of your greatest assets throughout your career.
University life also presents many temptations and distractions. You will enjoy freedoms that you may not have experienced before. Freedom is a valuable gift, but it must be exercised responsibly. Make wise choices about how you spend your time, the friends you keep and the activities you engage in. Avoid behaviours that could undermine your academic progress or damage your future. Every decision you make today contributes to the person you will become tomorrow.
I also encourage you to participate actively in life beyond the classroom. Join professional associations related to your discipline. Participate in innovation competitions, sports, student leadership, community outreach and entrepreneurship programmes. Employers today are looking for graduates who possess technical competence together with leadership, communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills. University provides the ideal environment to develop these attributes.
You should also know that you are not alone on this journey. Every member of staff in this College wants to see you succeed. If at any time you encounter academic, financial, personal or emotional challenges, please seek assistance early. Speak to your lecturer, your Head of Department, your School Registrar, your Dean, Deputy Principal and my office. We are committed to supporting you and ensuring that no student is left behind simply because they did not know where to seek help.
As you begin your studies, remember that you are preparing to join professions that carry enormous public trust. Engineers design structures upon which lives depend. Architects shape the environments in which people live and work. Surveyors and land managers safeguard one of our country’s most valuable resources. Physical planners influence how our communities grow. Artists and designers shape culture, creativity and innovation. Society expects competence, professionalism and integrity from each one of you. Begin developing those qualities today.
Before I conclude, allow me to leave you with three simple pieces of advice.
