Mak-RIF Advances Research and Innovation Agenda Through Strategic Engagements at the University of Warwick
A high-level delegation from the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) has concluded a successful strategic mission to the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom, aimed at strengthening Makerere’s research governance, innovation systems, and commercialization pathways.
The team lead by Mr. Simon Kizito (Deputy University Secretary) and Dr. Roy William Mayega (Coordinator, Mak-RIF) visited Warwick from 6–8 October 2025, with their engagement forming part of Mak-RIF’s broader agenda to enhance institutional capacity as the university’s research portfolio continues to expand, now exceeding 1,300 active funded projects.
Strengthening Research and Innovation Systems
At Warwick, the delegation held a series of high-level meetings with the University’s Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), Research and Impact Services (RIS), and leadership of the Warwick Innovation District and Science Park.
Through these engagements, the delegation explored how Warwick’s integrated research ecosystem operates—from securing and managing research grants, to ensuring ethics and integrity, to translating research outputs into competitive, industry-ready innovations.
The team examined WMG’s internationally acclaimed model for university–industry–government collaboration, which has enabled Warwick to sustain a productive pipeline of applied research, industrial fellowships, SME support programmes, and commercialization initiatives. Discussions centered on how Makerere could adapt similar structures to strengthen its own innovation clusters and private-sector partnerships.
Insights on Research Governance and Culture
The mission also involved deep exchanges with Warwick’s Research and Impact Services, where the delegation studied the University’s approach to research governance, digital ethics workflows, policy harmonization, and monitoring of impact.
Warwick’s Research Culture Partnerships Unit shared strategies for promoting research integrity, responsible conduct, and staff development – elements that align closely with Mak-RIF’s priority to enhance the research culture at Makerere University.
Lessons for Makerere’s Innovation Park
A tour and technical discussions at the Warwick Innovation District and Science Park provided practical insights into managing innovation ecosystems. The delegation observed how start-ups, spin-offs, and research teams are supported through incubation pathways, co-working spaces, prototype laboratories, and venture partnerships.
These engagements provided key lessons for the ongoing development of Makerere’s own Science and Innovation Park, including models for sustainability, investment attraction, and collaboration with industry players.
Clear Pathways for Collaboration
The mission concluded with commitments to explore further collaboration between Makerere and Warwick in several areas, including:
- establishing a Makerere Innovation and Manufacturing Group (MiMG) modeled on WMG,
- strengthening research governance and ethics systems,
- co-developing a digital Research Management System (RMS), and
- advancing joint initiatives in innovation and commercialization.
Speaking after the visit, the delegation emphasized that the mission provided practical, actionable insights that will accelerate Makerere’s efforts to build a more robust, industry-responsive research and innovation ecosystem.
