Harper College seeks collaboration with CHUSS

On Wednesday, 21^st May 2014, the Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. Edward K. Kirumira, together with the Acting Dean, Dr. Susan Kiguli, and Heads of Department in the School of Languages, Literature and Communication, Makerere University held a meeting with faculty from Harper College, USA on possible areas of collaboration. The Harper College team comprised of Prof. Richard F. Johnson, the Coordinator of International Studies and Programmes; Prof. Richard Middleton Kaplan and Assoc. Prof. Judi Nitsch from the Department of English; as well as Assoc. Prof. Judy S. Kaplour, Chair of the Humanities Department. The team, together with other faculty from the same College, were on a mission to establish collaboration with different Units at Makerere University.

During the meeting, the group shared experiences and brainstormed on possible areas of collaboration. suggested areas of collaboration included staff and student exchange mainly focusing on undergraduate teaching, joint research and publications, workshops, seminars, summer school and redesigning or improving course curriculum. Prof. Richard Middleton informed the meeting that they are in the process of internationalising Harper College by grooming global citizens through International Studies and Programmes. 

Commenting on the student exchange programme, Prof. Richard Johnson said it would be of utmost benefit to undergraduate students in their first two years of learning and would be mutually beneficial for both universities.  

Prof. Kirumira advised that the two universities focus on curriculum and staff exchange. He urged the Harper College team to draft a Memorandum of Understanding as sister units on both sides start interactions. The group also held a similar meeting with staff in the School of Social Sciences.

Harper College was established by referendum in 1965 and opened September 1967. It is named after Dr. William Rainey Harper, a pioneer in the junior college movement in the United States and the first president of the University of Chicago.