The Rockefeller Foundation, a private American philanthropy, has donated $100,000 to the construction of Makerere University’s new School of Public Health (MakSPH) building. The donation is part of Makerere University’s centenary celebrations this year.
KAMPALA, UGANDA | NOW THEN DIGITAL — The Rockefeller Foundation, a US-based philanthropic organization, has donated $100,000 to Makerere University in Uganda. The funds will be used towards the construction of a new School of Public Health building in honor of the University’s centenary this year.
The donation was announced by William Asiko, Vice President in charge of the African region at the Rockefeller Foundation, following a visit by the organization’s team to the school’s construction site at Makerere University.
“As a foundation, we are excited to re-engage with Makerere University and the School of Public Health. To that end, we are incredibly proud of the strides the School of Public Health has made since its inception. We look forward to continued collaboration with the school and the university at large,” he said.
The Rockefeller Foundation has been a long-time supporter of MakSPH, including its support for the construction of the school’s current home 54 years ago and the establishment of the Master of Public Health program 28 years ago, which was one of the first such programs in Africa.
New MakSPH building to focus on infectious disease research
The new MakSPH building will provide much-needed space for public health training and research, particularly in infectious disease outbreaks of epidemic and pandemic potential.
Dr. Rhoda Wanyenze, Professor and Dean of MakSPH, expressed gratitude to the Rockefeller Foundation for their generous donation, which she said would help in the growth of public health in Uganda, Africa, and globally.
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“Given its location within a region prone to infectious disease outbreaks of epidemic and pandemic potential, this building will accommodate a centre for disease outbreak prevention, preparedness and response research in addition to other centres of excellence. We are extremely grateful to the Rockefeller Foundation for their generosity. Your past financial support has been invaluable to the growth of public health in Uganda, in Africa and globally,” she said
MakSPH has experienced significant growth in enrollment and staff numbers over the past 15 years, offering nine Masters programs and PhD training.
The school is a leading player in public health in the African region with several multi-country, multi-institutional research and capacity-building initiatives.
Fundraising for MakSPH construction continues
The new MakSPH building is estimated to cost $10 million, and the school has already raised $3.5 million from various fundraising drives.
The building will accommodate a center for disease outbreak prevention, preparedness, and response research, in addition to other centers of excellence.
MakSPH is one of the oldest and largest public health training institutions in sub-Saharan Africa, with nine Masters programs and PhD training on offer. The school has significantly increased its student enrollment and staff numbers over the past 15 years and is a leading player in public health in the African region, with several multi-country, multi-institutional research, and capacity building initiatives.
A big thank you to the @RockefellerFdn for their generous donation of USD $100,000 towards the construction of a new @Makerere #MakSPH building. This new building will not only provide a modern learning environment but also contribute to the improvement of public health in Africa pic.twitter.com/W0dEjA1Zay
— Makerere School of Public Health (@MakSPH) April 28, 2023
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