The Institute of Gender and Development Studies at Makerere University has strengthened its engagement in the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Hub Network, with Dr. Eria Serwajja, SDG Lead in the Department of Development Studies, and Dr. Racheal Ddungu serving as Makerere University’s representatives in the Network.
The development follows the United Nations Academic Impact’s recent circulation of the UNAI SDG Hub Network Contacts, bringing together SDG Hub Chairs and Vice-Chairs from participating higher education institutions around the world. The contact list is intended to facilitate direct communication, knowledge exchange and collaboration among institutions working to advance the SDGs through higher education, research, teaching, innovation and community engagement.
The UNAI SDG Hub Network brings universities and higher education institutions together around the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, creating opportunities for members to share experiences, build partnerships and contribute academic perspectives to global sustainable development efforts.
Dr. Eria Serwajja, SDG Lead in the Department of Development Studies, Institute of Gender and Development Studies at Makerere University, represents the University’s engagement in advancing sustainable development through academic and community-based approaches. His work and institutional engagement contribute to strengthening the connection between academic knowledge, development practice and the priorities of the SDGs.
Dr. Racheal Ddungu also represents Makerere University within the SDG Hub Network, contributing to the University’s efforts to strengthen academic collaboration and engagement around sustainable development. Together, their participation provides an important avenue for Makerere University to connect with universities and academic institutions working on shared development priorities across different regions of the world.
The release of the Network’s contact list is expected to further enhance opportunities for inter-institutional collaboration, joint research, knowledge sharing, academic exchanges and partnerships among SDG Hub members. By making the contacts of Hub Chairs and Vice-Chairs available across the Network, UNAI seeks to encourage stronger connections and more direct engagement between institutions working towards common SDG priorities.
For Makerere University, participation in the Network reinforces its long-standing commitment to using research, education, innovation and community engagement to contribute to sustainable development in Uganda and beyond.
The University’s engagement also provides opportunities to amplify African perspectives within global conversations on sustainable development and to develop partnerships that respond to local development challenges while contributing to the achievement of the global SDG agenda.
As the UNAI SDG Hub Network continues to expand, Makerere University’s participation through Dr. Serwajja and Dr. Ddungu is expected to open further avenues for collaboration with universities and institutions around the world.
The UNAI Secretariat noted that the current contact list is not yet complete, as several outstanding contacts and institutions for Vice-Chair positions are still being confirmed. An updated version will be circulated once the remaining positions have been filled and the relevant contacts updated.
Through its continued engagement with the UN Academic Impact SDG Hub Network, Makerere University remains committed to strengthening partnerships that harness the power of higher education to advance the Sustainable Development Goals and contribute to meaningful social, economic and environmental transformation.