The Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) is to embark on partnering with the Welsh government in different academic and development projects.
The discussion on partnership follows the courtesy visit of Jon Townley JP, the Head of Wales and Africa International Relations and Trade department at the Main Campus in Mbale.
Mr. Townley says that Wales is interested in collaborating with higher education institutions in areas of environment and health.
“The Welsh government has a mission to plant over 25 million trees in the country, and to achieve this, we have to partner with academic institutions,” Townley said.
According to Townley, the government of Wales seconds experts from different areas to come and provide voluntary consultancy services in projects or programs that institutions feel they need to embark on but don’t have the expertise to run such programs.
“If you have a project or program you wish to work on but may lack expertise or financial support for such consultancy, the Welsh government can send such experts to work with you for eight weeks, and the government shall fully cover the cost.” Mr. Townley said.
The Rector, represented by the Vice-Rector Academic Affairs, Dr. Jamil Sewrwanga, welcomed the visitors and thanked them for considering partnering with IUIU.
“Collaborating with your government is a welcome move and will enable us to extend our services to the wider IUIU Community in all our locations,” Dr. Jamil said.
The partnership shall start after the University has identified a focal person who will link the University to the Welsh government and sign a Memorandum of Understanding.
The Welsh government is also in partnership with Makerere University, Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, etc.
Wales is a 23-year-old government of 3 million people, with a sizeable number of Muslims, specifically the Somali natives.
