1.1   Objectives

The objectives of the PhD in Software Engineering by Coursework and Research programme are to: –

1. Build human resource capacity in the areas of software engineering in both the public and private sectors, especially in universities;
2. Develop research capacity in the areas of software engineering;

• Address the increasing demand for PhD holders in the areas of computer science, information systems, information technology and software engineering;

1. Strengthen capacity and institutional building in the area software engineering disciplines in tertiary institutions, private and public sectors.
2. Provide those masters holders with potential for PhD with opportunities to develop skills in formulating, conducting and presenting their own scholarly research through the production of a research-based dissertations and
3. Foster initiative and potential for independent self-study that will develop the students’ motivation and ability to continue updating their knowledge and skills after completion of the course of study in relation to scholarship and research.

• Enable the students to be able to demonstrate a critical awareness and reflection on research-based information as a basis for problem solving and practice in professional contexts.
• Enable students to be able to demonstrate ability to interpret and report research findings in areas relevant to software engineering.

1. Enable students to be able to demonstrate the ability to formulate research questions and problems, design and carry out their own small scale research projects and present their findings orally and in writing.
2. Equip students with research and publication skills to enable them publish research from high quality dissertations in reputable journals and/ or presentation of their research findings at academic conferences.

Software has become the driving force behind most new technologies. But the engineering of software is becoming increasingly complicated. Moreover we have seen an increased reliance on software systems for small to medium companies. This has been as a result of increased access to computer and Internet. There is also need to revise curriculum  to provide students with the research skills to advance software systems. It is not to forget also that Makerere University is working hard towards establishing a research led institution that will attract learners from all corners of the world. The design of the new curriculum has given a special emphasis on this university mission.

Further, the rate of growth of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Uganda in particular and the African region in general is enormous. In order to sustain the high growth useful to the economy, there is need for highly skilled and specialized ICT labor force to cater for the sophisticated ICT-jobs. Today Makerere University Faculty of Computing and Information Technology (CIT) is the main ICT training, research and consultancy centre in Uganda.

1.1.1 University of Groningen, Radboud University Nijmegen and Eindhoven University of Technology 

The Netherlands Government through the Netherlands Organization for International Cooperation in Higher Education (Nuffic) provided a 5.7 million euro grant for a project on ‘Strengthening ICT Training and Research Capacity in the Four Public Universities in Uganda’. This project commenced on 1^st June 2007 and will end on 31^st May 2011. One of the objectives is to build ICT human resource capacity through staff development and implementation of graduate programmes (M.Sc. and Ph.D.) and 30 PhD students

(10 registered at the above institutions in the Netherlands and 20 at Makerere University) are supervised by PhD holders from University of Groningen, Radboud University Nijmegen, Eindhoven University of Technology and Makerere University with support from the project.

Out of the 5.7 million Euros about 2.5 million Euros is to support 10-15visits by Professors from the Institutions in Netherlands per year in a bid to support training and research in Uganda.

1.1.2   University of Bergen

On 18th November 1999 a frame agreement on research collaboration, scientific competence building, student and staff exchange, and institutional development was signed between University of Bergen and Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. The agreement has a time frame of fifteen years.

Makerere University Faculty of Computing and Information Technology has an active student and staff exchange with the Department of Informatics and the Department of Information Science and Media at the University of Bergen (UiB) under this collaboration agreement. The staff from UiB have over the years conducted lectures in areas where the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology lacks local expertise.

1.1.3   London South Bank University

In 2005 Makerere University and London South Bank University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in which the two universities agreed to:

• Develop joint degree programmes (Masters Level) in the following areas: Sc. Information Systems; and M.Sc. in Human Resources (International).
• To look at the feasibility of developing a distance learning PhD programme to include a cost model and that the programme will be designed with the view of implementation in the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology, Makerere University initially and then extended to the rest of the University in due course.
• Identify and seek funding for PhD studentships from the Common Wealth Scholarship Fund, British Council and other funding bodies.

• Explore various avenues for research funding, which particularly focus on the development needs of Uganda.
• Identify ways in which best practice can be shared in the areas of Teaching and
• Collaborate on quality assurance whereby London South Bank University will develop a proposal and costing model to help Makerere University develop mechanisms and procedures to support effective quality assurance and research monitoring at both institutional and subject levels.

A lot has been achieved under the MOU between Makerere University and London South Bank University that is still in force.

To qualify for admission, a candidate must fulfil the general Makerere University entry requirements for a doctoral programme. In addition, to be admitted to the PhD (Software Engineering) a candidate must be a holder of a master’s degree in software Engineering, Computer Science, Software Development or its equivalent.