News and Events

IUIU Staff Equipped with Skills In Grants Writing

• 21st October, 2023 9:50am

Members of staff and lecturers at Islamic University in Uganda have acquired invaluable insights into the complex world of research funding. The skills were given to them in a grants writing workshop held on Wednesday 18th October 2023 at the main Campus in Mbale with the goal of inspiring grant seekers to enhance their chances of success and contribute to meaningful research and community development.

Dr. Jamil Serwanga, the Vice Rector in charge of academics at the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), officially inaugurated the Grant-Writing Skills Workshop. He expressed his gratitude to the organizers, including the Director of Research, Publications and Innovation Dr Maimuna Nimulola, the Grants Officer, and the IUASA Chairman for their tireless efforts in setting up the event. He also extended his thanks to the University Management and all the Deans, Directors, and Lecturers who had gathered for the workshop.

Dr. Serwanga reminded participants that any actions or plans they develop must align with the vision, mission, core values, and teachings of Islam, reflecting the essence and core activities of IUIU. He cautioned attendees to balance research and teaching, highlighting the importance of not straying from the core values of the institution.

The Vice Rector stressed the significance of grant writing skills, noting its potential to enhance staff welfare, foster institutional development, and elevate IUIU's standing in university rankings. He affirmed the university's commitment to supporting staff training and urged participants to wholeheartedly engage with the workshop's content, implement the lessons learned, and create actionable plans for both personal and institutional growth.

Dr. Serwanga extended his heartfelt gratitude to all workshop attendees, officially opening the event on behalf of the IUIU Rector and wishing everyone productive deliberations. The workshop promises to be a vital stepping stone toward a brighter future for both the institution and its dedicated staff.

Dr. A.K Birabi a lecturer at IUIU in the Department of Economics and Development Studies highlighted on the plan to unlock the potential of grant proposal writing at IUIU.

Dr. Birabi disclosed on the existence of a Research Grants Office as a powerful tool for “Unlocking the Potential of Grant Proposal Writing at IUIU” and To promote proposal/research writing to catalyze greater knowledge production, creativity, intellectual innovation, academic empowerment, and finer teaching across all campuses of IUIU, to holistically and sustainably aid IUIU’s Research capacity develpment towards SDG 2030 and beyond.

Dr. Birabi added that Dr. Maimuna Nimulola, Director for Research, Publications, and Innovation (RPI) was tasked to prepare a concept paper, which would become the Roadmap for establishing the Research Grants’ office

In his closing remarks, Professor Abdul Kaziba Mpaata, the Vice Rector in charge of finance and administration at IUIU said that the funds are indeed available for those who seek them, but the key to success lies in mastering the techniques of accessing them.

With his wealth of experience in the field, Professor Mpaata not only assured workshop attendees of this fact but also provided invaluable guidance on the essential aspects of successful grant writing.

Professor Mpaata stressed the importance of obtaining grant proposal guidelines which act as the roadmap to accessing the funds and provide vital insights into the application process.

He urged researchers to carefully scrutinize eligibility criteria to ensure that applicants invest their time and effort in the right opportunities which saves one from pursuing grants for which they do not qualify.