Turkish aid agency donates advanced laboratory equipment to Ugandan University
TİKA says the equipment will enhance teaching and research and also improve the learning environment of medical students.
Turkish state aid agency TİKA has donated advanced biology and pharmacology laboratory equipment to Habib Medical School at the Islamic University In Uganda (IUIU).
The equipment, donated to the institution on Wednesday, includes a Soxhlet apparatus, an autoclave, a blood bank fridge, a microcentrifuge haematocrit, a spectrophotometer, and a BOD incubator, among others.
The event at the IUIU Kampala campus was attended by the Minister of State for Defence (Veteran Affairs), Huda Oleru; the Ambassador of Uganda to Türkiye, Nusura Tiperu; the Ambassador of Türkiye to Uganda, Fatih Ak; and the Director of the IUIU Kampala campus, Dr Twaha Kasule, among others.
TİKA coordinator to Uganda, Murat Cetin, said that donated equipment will enhance teaching and research and improve the learning environment of medical students in their pursuit of a brighter future.
“Today, we add an exciting chapter to our collaboration, the facilitation of biology and pharmacology laboratory equipment for Habib Medical School at the Kampala campus of IUIU,” Cetin said at the presentation ceremony.
“This initiative is more than just a laboratory. It is a symbol of empowerment, a bridge for students to connect their academic knowledge with medical expertise,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of the rector, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Dr Jamil Serwanga said that the equipment would significantly boost the medical school’s capacity in scientific excellence.
Huda Oleru said IUIU hosts students from across Africa, describing the contribution as an investment in the future of Uganda and African medics, as it addresses challenges facing the health sector.
The Islamic University in Uganda was opened in 1988 by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) under a bilateral agreement between the Government of Uganda (GOU) and the OIC.
The relations of African countries with Turkey have in recent years gained momentum in many spheres, ranging from trade volume to political dialogue mechanisms, from educational activities to economic investments and development cooperation.
TİKA has over 20 offices in Africa and has carried out projects in fields such as health, agriculture, and husbandry on the continent.
TİKA says it supports projects aimed at the development of Africa and invests particularly in healthcare to support the development, welfare, and peace on the continent.
In the last five years, TİKA completed over 200 health projects to support maternal and infant health on the African continent.