KIU Researchers Educated on AI-Integrated Digital Platform to Enhance Postgraduate Research Supervision

KIU, Main Campus - Kampala International University (KIU), through its Directorate of Higher Degrees and Research (DHDR) in collaboration with the Directorate of Research, Innovations, Consultancy and Extensions (DRICE), on August 7, 2026, held an engagement session to educate KIU researchers on the benefits of a new AI-powered supervision platform.

In his presentation, Prof. David Katamba of Makerere University, the architect behind the platform, introduced the E-supervision and mobile app platform to the research community. He introduced the platform as a tool to improve accountability, streamline supervision, and align postgraduate research with national priorities. The E-supervision and mobile app platform project was funded through the European Union Erasmus grant and was developed to strengthen Masters’ research quality.

Prof Katamba further explained that the platform addresses challenges such as fragmented supervision, delays in completion, and weak alignment with national goals. He stressed that integrating AI into supervision will strengthen research quality, support policy reforms, and build a more efficient, transparent, and impactful system.

“The platform aims at strengthening research quality in Uganda, supporting policy reforms, integrating digital tools into research, and building a more efficient, transparent, and impactful system,” Prof. Katamba said.

He revealed that through the platform, five academic programs have been revised, seven course units updated, and three new courses developed at Makerere University including Big Data Analytics, Public Health Emergencies, and Energy Storage.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Ngoma Muhammed emphasized that the system will foster harmony between lecturers and students, reduce conflicts, and support KIU’s pursuit of ISO certification. He noted that the platform’s flexibility allows customization to meet institutional needs while ensuring transparency.

In her demonstration, Dr. Shakira Naguja also from Makerere University, showcased how the system works, highlighting features such as tutorials, customizable modules, secure online interactions, audit trails, and plagiarism checks. She noted that the platform holds both supervisors and students accountable, protecting academic integrity while digitizing the supervision process.

Makerere University MBA student, Katongole Godfrey, testified to the platform’s impact, sharing that it helped him complete his research within the expected timeframe by enabling video conferencing with his supervisor and eliminating delays.

During a Q&A session led by developer and Makerere University researcher Dr. Tom Tamale, Dr. Naguja further explained that the platform supports approvals, e-signatures, and multi-layered data security with regular audits. She encouraged KIU to integrate its library into the system to enhance access to online resources.

In attendance were Vice Chancellor Prof. Ngoma Muhammed; DVC Finance and Administration Dr. Mundu Mustafa; Deputy University Secretary Christine Ainebyoona; DVC Academic Affairs Dr. Jacob Ashibi, DVC Research, Innovations, Consultancy, and Extensions Prof. Regina Ejemot Nwadiaro; and other research committee members.

By educating KIU researchers on this AI-driven innovation, with funding from Erasmus, the university is laying the groundwork for a more transparent, efficient, and nationally relevant postgraduate research environment.