Uganda Martyrs University Participates in Continental Workshop on Positioning Universities for Global Visibility

Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) was among the universities that participated in a three-day continental training workshop on “Positioning Your University for Global Visibility”, held from 27–30 January 2026 at M’Kango Golfview Hotel in Lusaka, Zambia.

The workshop was jointly hosted by the University of Lusaka and the Association of African Universities (AAU) and brought together university leaders, researchers, international office staff, and communication and branding professionals from across Africa. The forum aimed to strengthen the global presence, competitiveness, and relevance of African higher education institutions.

Over the three days, participants engaged in in-depth discussions and practical sessions focused on enhancing institutional visibility through digital marketing, research excellence, open access publishing, and transnational education. The programme combined keynote addresses, case studies, hands-on labs, and peer learning, ensuring institutions left with actionable strategies aligned to their unique contexts.

UMU’s participation provided a valuable opportunity to benchmark its ongoing efforts in digital communication, research visibility, and internationalisation against regional and global best practices. Key sessions explored how universities can leverage strong digital platforms, strategic storytelling, and research dissemination tools to amplify their academic impact and attract global partnerships.

The workshop also addressed the importance of improving African universities’ presence in global rankings, not as an end in itself, but as a pathway to increasing visibility, attracting international students, strengthening research collaborations, and mobilising investment into higher education. Particular emphasis was placed on open access publishing, the use of platforms such as ORCID and institutional repositories, and aligning university strategies with national, regional, and global development agendas.

Facilitated by renowned academics and higher education leaders, including Prof. Ellis Owusu-Dabo and Prof. Peter Okebukola, the workshop underscored the need for African universities to tell their stories more deliberately, showcase their research outputs, and position themselves as solution providers to societal challenges.

Through its participation, Uganda Martyrs University reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing its global visibility, strengthening research impact, and expanding international collaborations. The insights gained from the Lusaka workshop will inform UMU’s ongoing branding, communication, and internationalisation strategies as the University continues to position itself as a leading institution of academic excellence, ethical leadership, and social transformation.