KAMPALA – The Irish Ambassador to Uganda, His Excellency William Carlos, has launched four new Innovation laboratories belonging to netLabs!UG, a research center under the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT), Makerere University.
The new laboratories include EPA Ireland Core Networking Lab, Marconi Society Machine Learning Lab Uganda, MikroTik Academy and Wireless and Advanced Networking Lab.
H.E. Carlos encouraged research staff and students to seize the opportunity to carry out useful research and solve local problems.
“Make use of any opportunity that comes. An opportunity just gives a clear understanding of what you want,” he said.
He was happy to note that the labs would spur innovative research and convert ideas into real solutions to local problems. He was happy to note the cordial relationship between Makerere University, particularly netLabs!UG, and Irish institutions.
The lab equipment at the research center was generously donated by The Marconi Society, Computer Facilities Technical Services and The Irish Embassy.
netLabs!UG now has the capacity to carry out research in the areas of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Deep Learning, Big Data, Internet of Things, Advanced Routing and Switching, Wireless Communications and Networking, Software Defined Networks (SDN) and Software Development among others capabilities.
The Research Center also prides itself in having the capacity and expertise to carry out practical network installations and deployments.
Eng. Dr. Dorothy Okello, the Principal Investigator of netLabs!UG, thanked the Ambassador for making time to officiate at the launch of these important laboratories.
She called on students, research staff and faculty members to fully utilize the labs. She congratulated five researchers of netLabs!UG who have received MikroTik training and are now certified trainers. She also thanked the Marconi Society and other donors for their donations.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Principal of CEDAT, Dr Venny Nakazibwe, said the laboratories would create a wide base of knowledge for students and staff at the research center and the College at large.
The labs are already being used to design and test innovations that promise to have a profound impact on our local industries
