Pofile of Prof. Luboobi Livingstone Serwadda: Former Vice Chancellor Makerere University

Prof. Luboobi Livingstone Serwadda is one of the celebrated academic icons Uganda has got. After graduating with a First class bachelors degree in Mathematics, he joined Makerere University as a Special Assistant in 1970 but he had also served as a tutorial in his 3^rd year of his undergraduate studies.

He was promoted to the rank of lecturer in 1973, senior lecturer in 1977, associate professor in 1985 before becoming a full professor in 1997.

He has taught courses at undergraduate and graduate level in addition to supervising research at MSc. and PhD.

Luboobi Livingstone who is a Professor of Biomathematics, served as Vice Chancellor, Makerere University 2004-2009.

He also served the Makerere University in other leadership and management capacities: Head Department of Mathematics; Dean Faculty of Science for two terms.

He is a fellow and Council Member of the Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS) and Chairperson of the Uganda National Academy of Sciences Committee on Fellows and Membership.

He trained at Makerere University and the Universities of Toronto (Canada) and University of Adelaide (Australia) & a 1991/92 Fulbright Scholar at the University of California, Berkley.

He holds a First class bachelors degree in Mathematics, a Master of Applied Science in Operations research, and a PhD in Applied Mathematics (in Biomathematics).

As undergraduate Luboobi was awarded the Archer Strurroch Prize and Makerere University College Exhibitions Prize for Sciences. He has been a teaching assistant at the University of Toronto and University of Adelaide, Australia and visiting professor at University of Dares Salaam.

He has held various positions including that of chairman at the Uganda Mathematics Club, and he was on the Physical Science Committee of the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology.

He has been external examiner at the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), University of Dar es Salaam and Sokoine University of Agriculture.

He has successfully supervised 11 PhD students, 28 MSc, and has many more in the pipeline. During his term as Vice Chancellor, there were collaborations reached with International Universities and organizations in various areas and mechanisms established to mobilize resources to supplement funding including investment and reaching out to alumni. Professor Luboobi is also credited as a founder member of the Makerere University Private Sector Forum.

Prof. Luboobi was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Bergen, Norway in 2008 in recognition of his significant contribution to the internationalization of the University of Bergen. He has previously lectured at University of Dar-es-Salaam University.

He also served as Dean, Faculty of Science, Makerere University. Hid research interests include; Mathematical Epidemiology: – modelling the dynamics and effects of diseases such as; HIV/AIDS, Malaria, TB, Measles, Trypanosomiasis, Dengue fever, Polio, and Schistosomiasis.

He also has great interest in modelling the counter effects of the Immune System and the parasites or viruses that cause these diseases. Operations Research: Stochastic as well as deterministic models applied to transportation systems and queues.

From 1974 – 1978 he worked on a research project entitled: “Location and allocation of Livestock Farms and Distribution of the by-products”. As a Fulbright Scholar at the University of California, Berkeley; his research project was on “Age Group Models for the Dynamics of the HIV/AIDS epidemic (in the context of Uganda)”.

In connection with this research he gave a series of public and academic lectures at: the University of California, Berkeley, USA; University of California, Los Angeles, USA; San Jose State University, California, USA; and Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.

As a Guest Researcher at University Bergen, Norway (2003) his research project was on “Mathematical Models for the Study of Immune System Response to HIV “. In connection with this research he gave seminars at: the Department of Mathematics, Uppsala University, Sweden; Department of Mathematics, Lulea University of Technology, Sweden.

Also See: Profile: Rev. Dr. John Senyonyi, Vice Chancellor of Uganda Christian University