By Samuel Ejoku
Teaching/lecturing at the University a field dominated
by the males is associated with people who are academically gifted with
willingness to do research and a zeal to transfer a wealth of acquired
knowledge to others.
This explains why there few people who have made it in
life in becoming University Lecturers.
Dominated by men, University lecturing has been
penetrated by a section of few Ladies, a sign that what men can do, Women can
equally do or even better.
In this edition, our Journalist Samuel Ejoku caught up
with Associate Professor Dr. Martha Kibukamusoke one of those Senior
academicians in Cavendish University Uganda in the Faculty of
Socio- Economic Sciences who have managed to break odds and join a
profession highly dominated by males in an interview.
Qn. Who is Prof. Martha?
Answer. Am Associate Professor Dr. Martha Kibukamusoke and I hold a
Doctorate degree in Sociology and a Master of Arts degree in development
studies from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University of South Africa.
For over 15 years, I have been and still a Senior
Lecturer with Cavendish University in Uganda.
I have developed programmes and interventions for
combating child labour, developing organizational strategic plans and
developing training manuals.
Am a professor of sociology within the framework of
engaging scholar academic network (ESCARNET) www.escanet.org with research interest in basic and applied
research, ICT4D, social inclusiveness and digital divide, human performance
enhancement among others.
Associate Professor Dr. Martha Kibukamusoke ( photo Source - Internet)
Qn. Very few individuals have made it to the level where you are
academically, how did you make it?
Answer. She adjusts her Glasses. Persistence and strong will to achieve the
set goals within the specified time allocated to any activity.
Qn. What motivated you?
Answer. My grandfather a professor in medicine always encouraged me to get
to achieve his level of academic achievement and excellence. My father as well
who always strived to instill the following statements, “choose your colleagues
wisely, work hard with truth so that your work speaks honesty, respect for
integrity and priority to family.” These two great men have and continue to
motivate me.
Qn. Sometime last year (2023) we woke up to the news of Management
elevating you to the Professor, how did you welcome the news?
Answer. I was actually humbled by senior management of Cavendish University
Uganda who always strive to see others better irrespective of rank, age and
gender.
Qn. What does it take to become a professor?
Answer. Cavendish University has a criteria, specific requirements and
expectations which may vary depending on the academic discipline. However, the
following are what I feel are what it takes to become a professor.
a. Acquiring a PhD qualification;
b. Research and publications of which my aim is to publish 4 to 5
manuscripts per year;
c. Supervision of a specific number of master’s students and at least one
PhD student. I have so far supervised 3 students to PhD completion, over 100 at
master’s level and I cannot tell those at undergraduate level;
d. Teaching experience of which I have over 15 years;
e. Networking with individuals and organizations to improve and understand pedagogical
methods in teaching;
f. Guiding students professionally through encouraging
them to become better researchers through contributing academic research
results in conferences and paper presentations
g. Persistence, flexibility and willing to go an extra
mile to teach students for the purpose of learning.
Qn. You’re in a field dominated by males, how are you able to stand out
among them?
Answer. I believe many females have achieved expertise, experience and academic
qualifications in my field of specialization. However, irrespective of the
field, perseverance is key and working with those that wish you well goes a
long way in respect to success.
Qn. What are your future plans as an academician?
Answer. Iam planning on diversifying and including students in
the various initiatives that allow student inclusion in practical research and
collaboration with organizations.
a. Organizing workshops and seminars that give students the ability to get
academic advice from practitioners of different fields
b. Guide students in exploring innovations that foster the inclusion of
technology in learning
c. International collaboration for myself to enable my
personal growth in my field of expertise as well as broaden my scope of
research
Qn. Do you have anything which I have not asked you which you would
like to share?
Answer. I believe in the goodness and fairness of God who will always fight
for you, guide you through the right path.
More about me can be accessed on http://www.marthakibukamusoke.org
