1. John Baptist Kirabira, Prof/Center Leader mapronano@cedat.mak.ac.ug
Africa Centre of Excellence in Materials, Product Development & Nanotechnology (MAPRONANO)
John Baptist Kirabira,
Prof/Center Leader

2. Brief Description of Center
The Center was developed out of the need to strengthen research and training in the areas of materials science and engineering, nanotechnology and nanomedicine in order to develop human resource capacity in applied science engineering disciplines for the development of the region.
MAPRONANO ACE will also offer highly specialized short courses in welding technology, health & safety engineering, Oil & gas, Monoclonal and Nanobodies generation, Bioinformatics and next Generation sequencing techniques.
The Nanomedicine Program will be implemented in partnership with College of Health Sciences, MakCHS.

3. Primary Thematic Discipline
The areas of research and training focus on:
Materials Science and Engineering.
Energy, imaging techniques, water filtration and treatment
Harnessing of locally available Materials/Minerals for Product Development.
Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine.
An ongoing PhD is developing a G-resonance technique as a contribution to fight HIV using engineering and physics classical mechanics…
Nano-coatings, water treatment, fuel cells,
Nanomedicine to focus on diagonistis and medicine delivery

4. Key Objectives
To increase capacity of research and training materials engineering and product development.
To enhance teaching and training in Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine.
To promote linkage among academics, industry practitioners and policy makers.
To promote research spins offs for industrial development.

5. Key Outcomes
State of the art research Laboratory for Materials, Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine in the Eastern and Southern Africa Region.
Graduate professional scientists who can contribute to regional development through research and development.
Accredited Master’s Programs (curricula) at national, regional and international levels (e.g. ABET).
Well-trained technicians and engineers in Materials Science, Product design and Nano-enabled technologies
Strengthen research and publication
Strengthen teaching quality through Pedagogical training.

6. Center Operations and Management
Vice Chancellor, Mak
Participating Mak, Academic Departments
Principal, CEDAT
Finance, DRTG, Communication, Procurement
Center Leader,
(Prof. J.B. Kirabira)
Deputy Center Leader,
(Dr. Michael Lubwama)
Advisory Committee
Partners’ Forum
Training Coordination
Research Coordination
Teaching Faculty and Visiting Professors
Research Students, Research Assistants

7. Major Accomplishments to date
The Center became effective in Sept 2017.
Funds from the World Bank (US $ 1,100,000) was deposited on the Center account in Bank of Uganda, and the account was operationalized in October 2017.
Center was allocated office space in the Old Building and the office will be furnished soon.
Center Coordinator, Center M & E and Assistant Accountant formally appointed by the university.

8. Major Accomplishments to date
5 PhD students admitted nationally.
2 Female, 3 Male
M.Sc. TIID (15 No.) & M.Sc. Mechanical Engineering (12 No.)
Collaboration meetings held between ACE and UIC.
Procurement of Office furniture and IT Equipment in final stages.
Procurement of Project Vehicle on course
Drafting of Short courses curricula in progress.
Curricula review for M.Sc./B.Sc. in the department of Mechanical Engineering in progress.
M.Sc. Nanotechnology and M.Sc. Nanomedicine programs are being developed.

9. Major Accomplishments to date
5 PhD students identified from University of Rwanda that will benefit from ACE research funding,
Laboratory Space identified.
In the process of procuring lab equipment.
Visit to collaborationg institutions ongoing.
MoUs with collaborators due for signing
Still writing proposals to compliment funding for the ACE.

10. Primary Collaborators
MakCHS
Roofings Limited
Uganda Clays Limited
Uganda Cancer Institute
UNBS
UIRI
CIPLA Quality ChemicalS Uganda Limited
Geological Survey and Mines Department
UVRI
Luweero Industries
Steel Rolling Mills

11. Regional Collaborators
Rwanda: University of Rwanda (Engineering & Health Sciences)
Kenya: University of Nairobi, Ergerton
Tanzania: UDSM (CoET), NMIST (Wise Futures)
Mozambique: University Eduardo Mondalene (Faculty of Engineering)
Ethiopia: Addis Abbaba University, Mekelle, Center for Railway Engineering

12. International Collaborators
Prof. Abhijit Biswas, USA
Prof. Constantine Megaridis, UIC, USA
Dr. Leslie Lobel, BGU, Israel
Prof. A.B. Pant, CSIIR-IITR
Prof. Rajeev K. Gupta, University of Petroleum, India
Dr. Ineke Malsch, Netherlands
Prof. Bria, University of Alabama, USA

13. Challenges
Institutions often emphasizing the need for earmarking overhead costs before initiating MoUs.
Slow processes because of structural issues involving university/government systems.
Slow processes involved in formalization of MoUs.
Industry potential collaborators skeptical about what is going to happen and not very sure of the mutual benefits.
CL and Deputy not remunerated yet this is an extra load and responsibility.
Beside, for growth and sustanability need for more staff.
Meeting expectations of other faculty that may not be directly involved but needed by the Center.

14. Acknowledgements The World Bank RFU MoES, MoFPED Makerere University
VC, US, Principals (CEDAT & MakCHS), Colleagues
Industrial Partners