Makerere University has made history as the first African university to join the prestigious Global Alliance of Foreign Studies Universities (GAFSU), marking a major milestone in its internationalization journey.
The announcement was made by Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, who confirmed that the admission took place on Thursday in Hangzhou, China.
“Yesterday in Hangzhou, Makerere University was accepted into the Global Alliance of Foreign Studies Universities, becoming the first African institution to join this 23-year-old alliance,” Prof. Nawangwe said. “On behalf of Makerere, I pledged our full support and contribution to the objectives of the Alliance.”
GAFSU is a global network of leading institutions focused on promoting collaboration in international education, language studies, diplomacy, and global research. Makerere’s membership emphasizes Africa’s growing role in global academic exchanges and cross-cultural dialogue.
Building Stronger Ties with Chinese Institutions
While in China, Prof. Nawangwe signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Prof. Jia Wenjian, President of Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), to foster research collaboration and training in international studies.
Additionally, Prof. Nawangwe co-chaired the annual Confucius Institute Board meeting at Makerere with Prof. Liao Yongan, President of Xiangtan University. The meeting concluded with plans to expand training for Chinese language teachers to meet the increasing demand for Mandarin courses in Uganda and the wider East African region.
Earlier, Prof. Nawangwe also attended the 23rd Conference on the International Exchange of Professionals in Shanghai, emphasizing the importance of regional and global cooperation, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence and transdisciplinary research.
Moreover, Prof. Nawangwe announced that the joint application with Tsinghua University to establish a Joint Safety Laboratory in Uganda had been approved by the Chinese government. Supported by the Belt and Road Initiative, this lab will focus on advanced research related to natural disasters, including landslides, floods, and earthquakes.
These partnerships highlight Makerere University’s expanding global influence and its ongoing commitment to fostering international cooperation, advancing language education, and promoting technological innovation.
