Dialogue in Pursuit of Development - Are you looking for one of ...

264
Promoting Empowerment: A Unique Grant Relationship
Between Rockefeller Foundation and Makerere
University
Nakanyike B. Musisi 1
Introduction
The past nine years have seen an increase and change in aid coming to
Makerere University. The institution is receiving funding from the Ford
Foundation, the Carnegie Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, the
Norwegian Council for Higher Education’s Programme for Development
Research and Education (NUFU), the Danish International Development
Agency (DANIDA), the Swedish International Co-operation Development
Agency (Sida), the Swedish Agency for Research Co-operation with Developing
Countries, the Norwegian Assistance Department (NORAD), the
Canadian Centre for International Development Research (IDRC), US
Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Bank to
mention but a few. 2 The University has at the same time experienced growth
in the student body from 7,344 (of which 6,643 were government sponsored
and 701 were privately sponsored) 1993/4 to 25,245 (of which 19,112
are privately sponsored) in 2000/2001, while programmes expanded from
29 in 1993/4 to 65 in 2000/1. 3 Growth of this nature is inevitably leading
to changes in the institution’s culture, organizational and management structures;
broadening the mandate and vision, while at the same time necessitating
strategic planning in an attempt to clarify focus, develop a shared
vision and remain competitive in a rapidly changing environment.
During the period between 1970 and 1995 aid was earmarked for specific
areas such as agriculture, health and education. The recent change involves
a transition from earmarked to institutional capacity building support
similar to aid in the immediate period following the colonial period.
1 Nakanyike B. Musisi (Uganda) holds a PhD from the University of Toronto, Canada. She worked
for several years as Associate Professor of the University of Toronto within Women’s Studies and
History. During those years she was a member of editorial boards, of the Canadian Women’s
Studies Journal, Toronto, and of the Women’s History Journal, London. Musisi was appointed
Director of Makerere Institute of Social Research at the Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda,
in 1999.
2 Detailed information on what programme or projects are funded by each of these donors can be
accessed through the Planning and Development Department, Makerere University.
3 Academic Registrar’s Office. The number of students and programmes continues to grow. Although
not yet officially confirmed, the figures for the student body have risen to slightly over
30,000 students.