Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, has said the university is exploring collaboration opportunities with the Africa Natural Resources Institute (ANRI), an organisation founded and led by Makerere University alumni.
The engagement, held with ANRI Patron Prof. George Mondo Kagonyera, the former Chancellor of Makerere University, focused on how the institute's work in natural resources policy and research can complement Makerere's academic, research and community outreach mandate.
"I have met the promoters of the Africa Natural Resources Institute, all Makerere alumni, and their Patron, Prof. George Mondo Kagonyera, former Chancellor of Makerere University. We discussed opportunities for collaboration between Makerere University and ANRI," Prof. Nawangwe said.
Prof. Kagonyera, who previously served as Chancellor of Makerere University, is serving as ANRI's Patron, providing strategic guidance on the institute's continental agenda for sustainable natural resource governance.
The discussions explored several areas of potential cooperation, including joint research projects, student internship opportunities, policy dialogues, and capacity-building programmes aimed at connecting Makerere's academic expertise with real-world challenges in Africa's extractive industries and natural resources sector.
Prof. Nawangwe noted that partnerships with alumni-led institutions strengthen Makerere's "town and gown" relationship while creating opportunities for students and researchers to contribute to policy formulation and sustainable development beyond the university.
ANRI was established by Makerere University alumni to provide research, advisory and training services on natural resources management across Africa. A formal framework to guide the collaboration between Makerere University and ANRI is expected to be developed in the coming months.
