MUK commissions a Private Cloud Computing facility for research which is the first-of-its-kind worth UGX1.6 Billion with support from the Government of Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The facility is situated in the Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS) offices, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT). The function was held on 12th February 2021.
The function was presided over by the Acting (Ag.) Executive Director, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Eng. Irene Sewankambo, the ceremony was also graced by Senior Research Advisor, Embassy of Sweden in Uganda-Dr. Gity Behravan and the Vice Chancellor-Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe represented by the Director Quality Assurance-Dr. Vincent Ssembatya.
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The Director, Directorate of Research and Graduate Training (DRGT)-Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, Director DICTS-Mr. Samuel Mugabi and the day’s host, Principal College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS)-Prof. Tonny Oyana were also present.
Sida has done significant work at Makerere University in various endeavours to develop the ICT function and capacity of the University. Mr Mugabi recognized them for this and also establishing the optic fibre backbone network at the Main, Mulago, MUBS, MUARIK Campuses to offer training for DICTS staff.
“We are now moving into the Web 3.0 era where the state-of-the-art Research Private Cloud Computing facility will enable us to do high-performance computing, serve as a data repository for all 17 Mak-Sida projects and prepare Makerere University for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).”
Prof. Oyana, Principal Investigator (PI) of the Mak-Sida Project 381: Integrating ICT-based support in Research, Teaching and Innovations, expressed deep appreciation to Sida for the continued goodwill and support to infrastructure development at Makerere University.
“We strongly believe that now an opportunity exists for capacity building in DICTS to develop relevant IT knowledge and skills to grow cloud-based computing and storage applications to support Makerere University’s research,” remarked Prof. Oyana.
Project Co-PI, Prof. Uno Fors in his virtual address congratulated Makerere University upon the impressive installation, noting that Stockholm University (SU) had only recently received its cloud computing facility and as such, was not far ahead of its partner. He pledged that SU would support technology-based training of trainers so as to facilitate skills transfer over the internet.
Hopes for greater efficiency as MUK commissions a private cloud computing facility for research
MUK commissions a private cloud computing facility for research which will bring great efficiency to the University especially in its IT operations since there are a lot of benefits to be enjoyed. Some of the benefits include enhanced security, more efficiency comes with reduced costs and improved reliability.
With a private cloud, the university can set up its network in a way that works best for them instead of having to adapt its processes. This increased control means less time and effort.
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