Kampala, Uganda: Makerere University lecturer and former dean of the School of Social Sciences, Professor Andrew Elias State, has been selected for the prestigious Fulbright African Research Scholars Program.

For the next nine months, he will conduct research at the University of Michigan, one of the leading institutions in the United States.

This opportunity marks a significant achievement for both Professor State and Makerere University, strengthening international academic collaboration and opening new doors for curriculum development in Uganda, sources close to the program told this website.

The Fulbright African Research Scholars Program is a highly competitive U.S. government-sponsored initiative to promote research, teaching, and intellectual exchange between African scholars and American institutions.

The program further offers African researchers and university lecturers the chance to enhance their academic careers while contributing to the growth of African universities through innovative research.

The US Mission in Uganda congratulated Prof. State in a post on X saying for the next 9 months, he will be conducting postdoctoral research at the University of Michigan.

“His work will contribute to developing new courses and curricula upon his return to Makerere University. We wish Andrew all the best as he embarks on this impactful journey,” the mission added in the post.

As part of his research fellowship, Professor State will work closely with faculty at the University of Michigan to develop new courses and curricula that will benefit Makerere University upon his return.

His work is expected to have a lasting impact on the quality of education at Makerere, one of Africa’s oldest and most reputable universities, by fostering academic excellence and bridging gaps in the evolving landscape of higher education.

“This is not only a personal milestone for Professor State but also a remarkable achievement for Makerere University,” said a student he recently supervised for his doctoral research.

“His work will lead to the development of new academic programs, aligning Makerere’s curricula with global standards and making it more responsive to the needs of both students and society,” he added.

The Fulbright Program

The Fulbright Program, established in 1946, is among the most widely recognized and prestigious international exchange programs worldwide.

For African universities like Makerere, having a scholar selected for the Fulbright Program means access to a global network of resources, cutting-edge research opportunities, and the chance to raise the institution’s profile in the international academic community.

This fellowship reinforces Makerere University’s commitment to academic excellence and ongoing efforts to strengthen ties with top-tier global institutions. 

As a leading figure in the field of higher education in Uganda, Professor State’s involvement in the Fulbright program demonstrates the potential of African scholars to make meaningful contributions to global academic discussions, while also bringing home the knowledge and expertise needed to address challenges unique to the African context.

“We wish Professor State all the best as he embarks on this impactful journey,” the university’s spokesperson Rita Namisango added.

“His time at the University of Michigan will undoubtedly pave the way for more transformative research and cross-cultural collaboration, enriching Makerere University and higher education in Uganda,” she concluded.

Andrew Elias State is a professor of Sociology and Social Anthropology.

About The Author

Arinaitwe Rugyendo

The Founder and Editor-in-Chief of ResearchFinds News and a Doctor of Philosophy in Journalism and Communication from Makerere University a credential that anchors his editorial vision in academic rigour and positions ResearchFinds News at the intersection of research and public interest journalism.

An accomplished journalist with over two decades of experience in Uganda’s media industry, Rugyendo has navigated every tier of the newsroom from cab reporter to Bureau Chief, Managing Editor, and Marketing and Digital Media Director at two of the country’s most consequential publications: the Daily Monitor and Red Pepper. At Red Pepper, he helped pioneer a participatory publishing model that transformed how Ugandan journalism related to its audience, a contribution that earned him international recognition and remains a reference point in African media scholarship.

Beyond the newsroom, Rugyendo has been recognised as a Desmond Tutu Fellow and a Crans Montana New Leader — distinctions that reflect his commitment not merely to journalism as a craft but to media as an instrument of social change. He serves as Chairman of Young Engineers Uganda, Uganda’s premier STEM and robotics education organisation, and as Chairman of the Uganda Premier League, demonstrating a leadership span that cuts across education, youth innovation, and sport.

With a PhD now in hand, a practitioner’s instinct sharpened over two decades, and a platform built on the conviction that research belongs in the public domain, Rugyendo is one of Uganda’s most distinctive voices at the intersection of scholarship, journalism, and nation-building.

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