Makerere University appoints Prof. Sarah Ssali as First Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of academic affairs
Professor Ssali's elevation to the critical academic leadership role was made by the Chancellor, Dr. Crispus Kiyonga, following recommendations from both the University Council and the Senate.
Makerere University has announced the appointment of Professor Sarah Ssali as its new First Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs). This significant leadership change, effective immediately, marks a historic moment for the institution as Prof. Ssali becomes only the second woman to hold this prestigious position in the university’s one hundred-year history.
The appointment was officially communicated by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, who shared the news with all stakeholders and friends of the university. Professor Ssali’s elevation to the critical academic leadership role was made by the Chancellor, Dr. Crispus Kiyonga, following recommendations from both the University Council and the Senate.
In his announcement, Professor Nawangwe expressed his profound pleasure and extended hearty congratulations to Prof. Ssali. “Prof. Ssali becomes the second woman to hold this position in Makerere’s one hundred years. Please join me in congratulating Prof. Ssali on a well-deserved appointment.”
Prof. Sarah Ssali has been the Director of the Institute of Women and Gender Studies at the University. She was vetted for the role of First Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) for Academic Affairs in August. Prof. Ssali was the only shortlisted candidate for the position.
Prof. Masagazi Masaazi, Chair of the Search Committee, explained that the search committee, appointed by the Senate in February, had meticulously analyzed legal documents and widely advertised the position.
Delivering her address under the theme “Strengthening the Teaching–Research Nexus to Deliver High-Quality Graduates for Africa’s Transformation,” Prof. Ssali outlined ambitious plans to elevate the university’s academic standing and impact.
Her public presentation was a crucial step in the selection process for the prestigious role. Prof. Ssali highlighted her extensive academic profile, stellar service record, and significant achievements, while also detailing innovative strategies aimed at enhancing academic efficiency, research output, knowledge transfer, strategic partnerships, and student academic affairs.
The DVC for Academic Affairs office holds a critical mandate, overseeing all academic programmes and policies designed to foster excellence within the university.
Its responsibilities encompass quality assurance, meticulous planning and coordination of both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, dynamic curriculum development, and the optimal utilization of teaching, research, and library resources.
The office also supervises a wide array of academic units, including Colleges, Faculties, Institutes, Schools, Graduate Training, the University Library, and the Office of the Academic Registrar.
Prof. Ssali’s impressive academic journey began at Makerere University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences and a Master of Arts in Gender Studies. She later obtained a PhD in International Health Studies from Queen Margaret University.
Her commitment to pedagogical excellence is further evidenced by certificates in Teaching and Assessment of Postgraduate Students, Problem-Based Learning, and Research Uptake and Data Visualization.
Her career at Makerere has seen a steady ascent from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, and eventually, Professor of Gender Studies.
Beyond Makerere, she has served as a Research Fellow at the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) and held international roles as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Limerick and a part-time lecturer, showcasing her broad academic experience.
Since 2004, Prof. Ssali has demonstrated exceptional leadership at Makerere, serving as Graduate Programmes Coordinator, Exchange Programme Coordinator, Dean, and Director of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Centre of Excellence in Notions of Identities. She currently leads the Institute of Women and Gender Studies, reflecting her extensive capacity for the DVC position.
Her leadership extends to numerous strategic university committees, including the Council, Senate, and the MasterCard Foundation Steering Committee.
Within the Council, she has chaired pivotal committees on Quality Assurance (QA), Gender-Based Training and ICT; Staff Development, Welfare and Retirement Benefits; and Student Affairs. Her service on the Appointments Board, Audit Committee, Finance, Planning and Administration Committee, and QA Committee has further honed her policymaking and implementation skills.
