Assoc. Prof. Amanda Tumusiime is the new Dean of the Margaret Trowel School of Industrial and Fine Art (MTSIFA) in the College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT).
She assumed office on Friday 14th October 2022 following a handover of office by the outgoing Dean Dr. Maria Kizito Kasule who has been managing the School for the past eight years.
The handover ceremony held at the School was witnessed by a number of staff that included the Principal, CEDAT, who doubles as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Finance and Administration, The Deputy Principal, Dr. Venny Nakazibwe, a representative from the Internal Audit, Principal Human Resource Officer and MTSIFA staff.
In his remarks, the DVCFA and Principal, College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT) Prof. Henry Alinaitwe appreciated the School leadership for the smooth transition of leadership and encouraged all other stakeholders to render utmost support and encouragement to the incoming Dean. He urged the staff at MTSIFA to work as a team taking cognizance of the varied challenges at hand that include inadequate staffing. He pointed out that the college was understaffed at the Lecturer level and encourages staff at this level to undertake research and be able to move to higher levels in the hierarchy.
Prof. Alinaitwe informed the people that turned up to witness the handover that the college was able to do some renovation at MTSIFA using resources from the Presidential Initiative. He charged the incoming Dean to undertake resource mobilization as one of her major tasks in the office of the Dean and this he said, will enable her to take on further improvements in infrastructure and services.
The Deputy Principal CEDAT Dr. Venny Nakazibwe extended her appreciation to all present for finding time to discuss the way forward for MTSIFA at the time of ushering in new leadership. She commended the outgoing dean for the stewardship rendered in his two-term tenure and encouraged all present to always take up opportunities as and when they come up.
While addressing herself to the incoming dean, Dr. Nakazibwe urged Assoc. Prof. Amanda Tumusiime to apply all the values of management and leadership in her new role and extended her appreciation to her for accepting to take on the position. She advised that her past experience as head of a department was vital and handy in the running of the school.
‘it’s not a smooth journey but what is most important is to always know how to get there, strategize together with the college, the school, and the student community and this will see MTSIFA moving ahead’ she counseled. She said the new dean was coming in at an opportune time when three new programs were getting on board, which in turn was giving the School new opportunities. There is a lot that we are going to look up to ahead of your leadership and we pledge our total support, she said.
Assoc. Prof. Amanda Tumusiime, while acknowledging the encouraging words from a number of speakers appreciated the outgoing Dean for steering the School to where it stands at. She reassured the management of CEDAT and the team at MTSIFA that she was ready to take on the leadership of the School and was not in any way afraid since she was surrounded by a great team that would render her all the necessary support that would see her steer through.
While sharing her experience as head of a department, Assoc. Prof. Tumusiime said she started off in an office that had no computer, which state did not stop her from delivering her mandate until now when, because of hard work and resilience, the office as it is today was much more equipped and presentable.
On his part, the outgoing Dean, Dr. Maria Kizito Kasule extended his appreciation to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Principal of CEDAT, and the College as a whole especially the staff at MTSIFA for the support rendered to him in varied ways that enabled him to deliver his mandate.
He gave a background to MTSIFA listing the four departments, the School level committees, and the MTSIFA board of studies among others. He highlighted the status of the school activities indicating that in1937 it started off with certificate courses, but to date, it offers Bachelor of Industrial and Fine Art degrees at the undergraduate level and Master of Fine Art as well as PhDs by research at the graduate level.
He said three additional undergraduate programs were accredited by The National Council for Higher Education and that students had been admitted for the academic year 2022/2023, namely Bachelor of Fine Art, (BFA), Bachelor of Industrial Art and Allied Design, and Bachelor of Visual Communication and Multimedia.
While illustrating the challenging staffing situation in MTSIFA pointing at the department of Fine Art, the outgoing Dean indicated that out of the establishment of four Professors, there was none. Similarly, there were two of the four Associate Professors while at the senior Lecturer level, out of the six in the establishment, there were only two, with the majority at the level of Assistant lecturer five posts filled. The same was true for the administrative support staff like technicians with many posts vacant.
In research, Dr. Kasule said MTSIFA staff were collectively and individually undertaking research drawing resources from varied sources. He however regretted to note that although Makerere University was globally known for its studio research, studio experimentation which he described as a major field of practicing artists, was no longer forthcoming.
Other challenges highlighted included inadequate funding, limited teaching and office space, and inadequacy in terms of the number of models among others.
The handover event was also witnessed by officers that included Ms. Lillian Tukahiirwa, Administrator, and Prof. Kyeyune who was acting Dean in the recent period among others.
Media links
Prof. Amanda Tumusiime appointed Dean of Margarete Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Art
Written by Musinguzi Harriet, Principal Communication Officer, CEDAT
Posted by Isemaghendera Alex, Web Administrator, CEDAT