Makerere University, in collaboration with key European and African partners, celebrated the successful conclusion of the INSSPIRE Project during a final workshop held at the Imperial Royale Hotel.
The workshop brought together leading stakeholders from universities, research institutions, and development organizations to reflect on the project’s achievements and explore opportunities for future collaboration.
The INSSPIRE Project, hosted by the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity (CoVAB), has made remarkable progress over the past three years in advancing research, innovation, and capacity-building in food systems and climate action.
Through curriculum enhancements and practical learning initiatives, the project has strengthened academic programs to better align with societal needs and the evolving job market.
The project introduced a comprehensive curriculum review, integrating practical learning through real-life labs and pioneering Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL). These initiatives provided students with hands-on experience and facilitated global collaborations, equipping them to tackle pressing challenges in food security and climate change.
Speaking on behalf of Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Prof. Julius Kikoma, Director of Graduate Training at Makerere University, highlighted the importance of partnerships between African and European universities.
He emphasized the project’s focus on evidence-based education and its relevance to addressing urgent food system and climate challenges. Nawangwe also underscored Uganda’s vulnerability to climate shocks and the increasing pressure on food systems due to rapid population growth and environmental degradation.
The Vice Chancellor expressed gratitude to Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the project’s lead institution, for fostering long-term collaboration, as well as to partners including Erasmus+, the European Union, FAO, and various research institutions for their support. Special recognition was given to the Makerere INSSPIRE team, led by Charles Drago Kato, whose leadership was central to the project’s success.
The Principal of CoVAB, Prof. Frank Norbert Mwiine, reaffirmed the college’s commitment to sustaining the innovations sparked by the INSSPIRE Project, particularly in teaching and staff development.
Denyse Snelder of VU Amsterdam presented the project’s key outcomes, which include capacity development, strengthened university-community partnerships, and the engagement of 850 students and 500 community stakeholders across Europe and Africa.
The INSSPIRE Project was designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to drive food systems transformation and climate adaptation, contributing meaningfully to sustainable development goals.