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Twelve lecturers from various Ugandan universities, including Makerere and Bugema, participated in a three-day workshop on digital pedagogy, research methodology, and the use of educational technologies.

Twelve lecturers from various Ugandan universities have undergone specialized training on research methodology and the presentation of research findings. The training, part of the Digital Education Practitioner Networks project, aims at enhancing digital education and fostering inclusion in higher education across Uganda. The three-day workshop, held in the first week of September 2024, was part of the Digital Education Practitioner Networks initiative, backed by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and the University of Edinburgh.

This initiative is a key element in a broader effort to bolster digital education capacity in sub-Saharan Africa. The program prioritizes educators serving marginalized groups, such as women, individuals with disabilities, and forcibly displaced populations, ensuring the benefits of digital education extend to traditionally underrepresented communities.

The training, facilitated by Dr. Michael Gallagher and Dr. Peter Evans from the University of Edinburgh, covered critical aspects of digital pedagogy, curriculum design, and cutting-edge educational technologies. The goal was to equip educators with the tools to enhance learning experiences and better serve their students in a rapidly evolving educational landscape.

Empowering Educators Through Digital Pedagogy

Participants in the training came from various Ugandan universities, including Makerere University, Bugema University, and others. Dr. Sarah Bimbona from Makerere University expressed her excitement about the program, noting how it had revolutionized her approach to teaching. “Although I am a teacher, I wasn’t really grounded in education. This training has provided me with the digital pedagogy skills, curriculum design insights, and the use of educational technologies that I needed,” Dr. Bimbona said.

Dr. Bimbona plans to use her newly acquired skills to enhance her teaching methods and stay at the forefront of digital education. Makerere University, a key partner in the initiative, had three of its educators participate in the program. The next cohort of educators will come from West Africa, further expanding the program’s regional reach.

Alice Nakalema, a lecturer from Bugema University, highlighted how the training deepened her understanding of educational mobility and the use of online assessments. “There is a wealth of information online,” Nakalema remarked, adding that digital tools like Miro boards have enriched her own learning experience.

Driving Inclusion in Higher Education

The Digital Education Practitioner Networks project is one of three major components under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh. The project aims to create inclusive learning environments and empower educators to meet the demands of digital education in sub-Saharan Africa. By focusing on inclusion, the initiative helps bridge the gap in access to education for underrepresented groups and lays the foundation for a more equitable future.