3 - Financing a Public University: Strategic Directions for Makerere University in Uganda
Corresponding Author(s) : Elisam Magara
Journal of Higher Education in Africa,
Vol. 7 No. 3 (2009): Journal of Higher Education in Africa
Abstract
Public universities all over the world are continually facing challenges arising from increasing expectations from government and the public for universities to serve the broader needs of society. This has impacted the universities’ ability to offer their core functions of teaching and learning, research and outreach. This paper reviews the current resource allocation models, reforms and developments of higher education in Uganda. Despite the available options of funding strategies (donor contributions, government support and the Appropriation in Aid [AIA]), Makerere University still faces the dilemma of unfinished business. It was thus established that the block allocation model currently used by Makerere University, which is based on fixed percentages to units, has led to a lack of co-ordination of services in the university. This has led to the difficulty in supporting university-wide services. This paper attempts, therefore, to provide strategic directions for Makerere University in ensuring effective resource allocation and prioritisation of the University budget in accordance with its core functions. The paper does so by suggesting restructuring from the current percentage- based budgeting to activity-based budgeting and expenditure allocation where the budgets clearly outline the activities expected in the various units for the financial year.
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- Cheung, B., 2003, ‘Higher Education Financing Policy: Mechanisms and Effects’, University of South Australia.
- Commonwealth of Learning, University of South Australia, 2006, Quality Assurance in Higher Education: An Introduction, National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), India.
- Concerned Deans and Directors, 2007, ‘Revenue Transfers to the Units, to Prof.
- Livingstone Luboobi, Vice Chancellor, Makerere University’, September 14.
- Court, D., 1999, Financing Higher Education in Africa: Makerere, the Quiet Revo- lution, The World Bank and the Rockefeller Foundation.
- Eisemon, T.O., et al., 1993, ‘Strengthening Uganda’s Policy Environment for Invest- ing in University Development’, Policy Research Working Papers on Education and Employment, The World Bank.
- File, J. and Vossensteyn, H., 2007, ‘Strategic Management and Internal Resource Allocation: Principles and Examples, CHEPS and University of Twente’, A paper presented at a National Workshop, Hotel Africana, Kampala, 10 July.
- Government of India, 2007, Higher Education in North-East India: Unit Cost Analysis, New Delhi:
- Mittal Pub.
- Government of Uganda, 1995, The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, Kampala: Constituent Assembly.
- Government of Uganda, 2001, Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, 2001.
- Government of Uganda, 2003, The Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions (Amendment) Act, no. 7, Entebbe: UPPC.
- Government of Uganda, MoES, 1992, Government White Paper on Education Policy Review Commission Report: Education for National Integration and Development, Kampala: MoES.
- Government of Uganda, MoES, 2000, Education Strategic Investment Plan Joint Review, 3-14 April, Kampala: MoES.
- Government of Uganda, MoES, 2002, Report on the Activities in the Ministry of Education and Sports under the Presidential Manifesto, Kampala: MoES. Government of Uganda, MoES, 2003, ‘Strategic Plan for Higher Education’, Tenth
- Education Sector Review, International Conference Centre, 3-7 November, Kampala: MoES.
- Government of Uganda, MoES, 2003, ‘The Universities and other Tertiary Institutions (Establishment of Gulu University) Instrument, No. 31', Supplement No. 16, to the Uganda Gazette, 29 (xcvi). Entebbe: UPPC.
- Jarzabkowski, P., 2002, ‘Centralised or Decentralised? Strategic Implications of Re- source Alllocation Models’, Higher Education Quarterly, 56(1): 5-32.
- Kajubi, S., 1991, ‘Educational Reform During Socio-economic Crisis’, in Changing Uganda, Holger Bernt Hansen and Michel Twaddle, eds., Eastern Africa Stud- ies, Kampala: Fountain Publishers.
- Kajubi, Senteza, 1992, ‘Financing of Higher Education in Uganda’, Higher Education, 23, p.433-441.
- Kasozi, A.B.K., 2003, University Education in Uganda, Kampala: Fountain Publishers.
- Magara, E., 2006, A Framework for an Integrated Student Information Management System for Higher Education in Uganda (PhD thesis, University of South Africa, February 2006).
- Makerere University, Ad hoc Committee on Finance, 2000, ‘Streamlining the Top- up, Extra load and any other Allowances Paid in the University: A Report’.
- Makerere University, the Secretary to Council, 2007, ‘Streamlining the Top-up, Extra Load and any other Allowances paid to the University’, 2 October.
- Makerere University, 2004, ‘Strategic Plan 2000/01–2006/07’, Planning and Development Department, Kampala.
- Makerere University, 2006, Partnership in National Development: Building for the Future Together, A Report on the Proceedings of Stakeholders Consultative Meeting, Planning and Development Department, 26 April.
- Makerere University, 2008, Ad hoc Committee on Bridging the Budget Deficit Gap 2007/08 FY., Recommendations, Planning and Development Department.
- Mamdani, M., 2007, Scholars in the Marketplace: The Dilemmas of Neo-Liberal Reform at Makerere University, 1989-2005, Kampala: Fountain Publishers.
- Manuh, T. et al., 2007, ‘Change and Transformation in Ghana’s Publicly Funded Universities: A Study of Experiences, Lessons and Opportunities’, in Partnership for Higher Education in Africa, Oxford: James Currey.
- Mushemeza, E., 1990, ‘The University and State of East Africa’, presented at the Symposium on Academic Freedom and Social Responsibility of the Intellectual in Africa, 26-29 November, CODESRIA. Mwiria, K., et al., 2007, ‘Public and Private Universities in Kenya: New Challenges, Issues and Achievements’, published in Partnership for Higher Education in Africa, Oxford: James Currey.
- National Council for Higher Education, 2003, The Strategic Plan for Higher Education 2003-2015 as Approved by the Education Sector Review, Ministry of Education and Sports, December.
- National Council for Higher Education, 2006, The State of Higher Education and Training in Uganda: A Report on Higher Education Delivery and Institution, Kampala: NCHE.
- Planning and Development Department, 2007, ‘Makerere University Prospect Research’.
- Rani, P.G., [s.a], Economic Reforms and Financing Higher Education in India, New Delhi: National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration.
- Second African Education Commission, 1925, University of East Africa, London: Phelps-Stokes Fund.
- Ssekamwa, J.C. and Lugumba, S.M.E., 2001, Development and Administration of Education in East Africa. Kampala: Fountain Publishers.
- Ssekamwa, J.C., 1997, History and Development of Education in Africa, Kampala: Fountain Publishers Ltd.
- Uganda Protectorate, 1953, African Education in Uganda: Being the Report of a Committee Set up by His Excellency the Governor to Study and Make Recommendations for the Future of African Education in the Uganda Protectorate. Entebbe: Government Printer.
- University of East Africa, 1962, Report of the Committee on Needs and Priorities Kampala: The Government Printer.
- Visitation Committee to Public Universities, 2007, ‘Report of the Visitation Committee to Public Universities, to the Visitor of Public Universities’.
- Wabwire, J.K.W., 2007, ‘Financing a Public University: Perspectives in the Visitation Committee Report ’, presented at a workshop on Mamdani’s book entitled: Scholars in the Marketplace: The Dilemmas of Neo-liberal Reform at Makerere University, 1989-2005, Conference Hall, Department of Food Science and Technology, Makerere University, 3 December.
- World Bank, 1988, The World Bank Report on Education on Sub-Sahara Africa, Washington: World Bank.
References
Cheung, B., 2003, ‘Higher Education Financing Policy: Mechanisms and Effects’, University of South Australia.
Commonwealth of Learning, University of South Australia, 2006, Quality Assurance in Higher Education: An Introduction, National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), India.
Concerned Deans and Directors, 2007, ‘Revenue Transfers to the Units, to Prof.
Livingstone Luboobi, Vice Chancellor, Makerere University’, September 14.
Court, D., 1999, Financing Higher Education in Africa: Makerere, the Quiet Revo- lution, The World Bank and the Rockefeller Foundation.
Eisemon, T.O., et al., 1993, ‘Strengthening Uganda’s Policy Environment for Invest- ing in University Development’, Policy Research Working Papers on Education and Employment, The World Bank.
File, J. and Vossensteyn, H., 2007, ‘Strategic Management and Internal Resource Allocation: Principles and Examples, CHEPS and University of Twente’, A paper presented at a National Workshop, Hotel Africana, Kampala, 10 July.
Government of India, 2007, Higher Education in North-East India: Unit Cost Analysis, New Delhi:
Mittal Pub.
Government of Uganda, 1995, The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, Kampala: Constituent Assembly.
Government of Uganda, 2001, Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, 2001.
Government of Uganda, 2003, The Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions (Amendment) Act, no. 7, Entebbe: UPPC.
Government of Uganda, MoES, 1992, Government White Paper on Education Policy Review Commission Report: Education for National Integration and Development, Kampala: MoES.
Government of Uganda, MoES, 2000, Education Strategic Investment Plan Joint Review, 3-14 April, Kampala: MoES.
Government of Uganda, MoES, 2002, Report on the Activities in the Ministry of Education and Sports under the Presidential Manifesto, Kampala: MoES. Government of Uganda, MoES, 2003, ‘Strategic Plan for Higher Education’, Tenth
Education Sector Review, International Conference Centre, 3-7 November, Kampala: MoES.
Government of Uganda, MoES, 2003, ‘The Universities and other Tertiary Institutions (Establishment of Gulu University) Instrument, No. 31', Supplement No. 16, to the Uganda Gazette, 29 (xcvi). Entebbe: UPPC.
Jarzabkowski, P., 2002, ‘Centralised or Decentralised? Strategic Implications of Re- source Alllocation Models’, Higher Education Quarterly, 56(1): 5-32.
Kajubi, S., 1991, ‘Educational Reform During Socio-economic Crisis’, in Changing Uganda, Holger Bernt Hansen and Michel Twaddle, eds., Eastern Africa Stud- ies, Kampala: Fountain Publishers.
Kajubi, Senteza, 1992, ‘Financing of Higher Education in Uganda’, Higher Education, 23, p.433-441.
Kasozi, A.B.K., 2003, University Education in Uganda, Kampala: Fountain Publishers.
Magara, E., 2006, A Framework for an Integrated Student Information Management System for Higher Education in Uganda (PhD thesis, University of South Africa, February 2006).
Makerere University, Ad hoc Committee on Finance, 2000, ‘Streamlining the Top- up, Extra load and any other Allowances Paid in the University: A Report’.
Makerere University, the Secretary to Council, 2007, ‘Streamlining the Top-up, Extra Load and any other Allowances paid to the University’, 2 October.
Makerere University, 2004, ‘Strategic Plan 2000/01–2006/07’, Planning and Development Department, Kampala.
Makerere University, 2006, Partnership in National Development: Building for the Future Together, A Report on the Proceedings of Stakeholders Consultative Meeting, Planning and Development Department, 26 April.
Makerere University, 2008, Ad hoc Committee on Bridging the Budget Deficit Gap 2007/08 FY., Recommendations, Planning and Development Department.
Mamdani, M., 2007, Scholars in the Marketplace: The Dilemmas of Neo-Liberal Reform at Makerere University, 1989-2005, Kampala: Fountain Publishers.
Manuh, T. et al., 2007, ‘Change and Transformation in Ghana’s Publicly Funded Universities: A Study of Experiences, Lessons and Opportunities’, in Partnership for Higher Education in Africa, Oxford: James Currey.
Mushemeza, E., 1990, ‘The University and State of East Africa’, presented at the Symposium on Academic Freedom and Social Responsibility of the Intellectual in Africa, 26-29 November, CODESRIA. Mwiria, K., et al., 2007, ‘Public and Private Universities in Kenya: New Challenges, Issues and Achievements’, published in Partnership for Higher Education in Africa, Oxford: James Currey.
National Council for Higher Education, 2003, The Strategic Plan for Higher Education 2003-2015 as Approved by the Education Sector Review, Ministry of Education and Sports, December.
National Council for Higher Education, 2006, The State of Higher Education and Training in Uganda: A Report on Higher Education Delivery and Institution, Kampala: NCHE.
Planning and Development Department, 2007, ‘Makerere University Prospect Research’.
Rani, P.G., [s.a], Economic Reforms and Financing Higher Education in India, New Delhi: National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration.
Second African Education Commission, 1925, University of East Africa, London: Phelps-Stokes Fund.
Ssekamwa, J.C. and Lugumba, S.M.E., 2001, Development and Administration of Education in East Africa. Kampala: Fountain Publishers.
Ssekamwa, J.C., 1997, History and Development of Education in Africa, Kampala: Fountain Publishers Ltd.
Uganda Protectorate, 1953, African Education in Uganda: Being the Report of a Committee Set up by His Excellency the Governor to Study and Make Recommendations for the Future of African Education in the Uganda Protectorate. Entebbe: Government Printer.
University of East Africa, 1962, Report of the Committee on Needs and Priorities Kampala: The Government Printer.
Visitation Committee to Public Universities, 2007, ‘Report of the Visitation Committee to Public Universities, to the Visitor of Public Universities’.
Wabwire, J.K.W., 2007, ‘Financing a Public University: Perspectives in the Visitation Committee Report ’, presented at a workshop on Mamdani’s book entitled: Scholars in the Marketplace: The Dilemmas of Neo-liberal Reform at Makerere University, 1989-2005, Conference Hall, Department of Food Science and Technology, Makerere University, 3 December.
World Bank, 1988, The World Bank Report on Education on Sub-Sahara Africa, Washington: World Bank.