UMI hosted a delegation from Nelson Mandela University, South Africa on Monday 6^th October 2025 with the aim of consolidation academic ties and broaden knowledge sharing networks and Research. The delegation was led by Prof. Azwinndini Muronga, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Internationalization at Nelson Mandela University (NMU). He was accompanied by Prof. Judy Peter, Senior Director – Office of International Education and Nancy Gwimo, Administrator Office of International Education. The meeting sought to operationalize the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which had been signed in 2023 and turn it into actionable collaborations that promote academic excellence and research. The NMU team showcased their seven campuses and over 500 study programs and revealed their passion for research and community development. They further reiterated that NMU aspires to be an international dynamic African University that emphasizes on decolonizing the education system as they emulate their icon Nelson Mandela.

UMI’s Director General Prof. Nkata James gave an overview of UMI’s operations since 1968 and expounded the institute’s mandate of developing management capacity in the public and private sectors through training, research and consultancy. He also emphasized UMI’s focus on being a Research Led Institution. UMI is a degree-awarding institution that offers PHDs, Masters Degrees, Postgraduate diplomas and short certificate courses and has regional campuses in Gulu (North), Mbale (East) and Mbarara (West). It hosts the School of Civil Service, Public Administration and Governance, School of Business and Management, School for Distance Learning and Information Technology, School of Management Sciences. He expressed interest in enabling joint research projects, doctoral supervisions and pledged full support to NMU.

The meeting was attended by several UMI officials including Dr. Kasozi Mulindwa, the Director of Programmes and Student Affairs; Prof. Karyeija Gerald, Dean School of Management Sciences; Mr. Kibazo Peter, Head of Communications and Marketing department; Prof Karim Ssesanga, Lecturer; Dr. Nduhura Alex,  Lecturer; Mr. Nsamba Jeff, Senior Marketing Officer; Mrs. Grace Ndibalekera Ssekamatte, International Relations Officer and Mr. Isaac Kalyango, Projects officer.

The meeting cordially discussed several areas of mutual cooperation between the two institutions and pledged to build sustainable beneficial partnerships, salvage the broader goal of research-driven development, sustain high academic standards and promote the internationalization agenda