Prof Kwesiga To Deliver Key Note Lecture At High Level Engineering Conference in Egypt

  • by Emmanuel Nuwamanya
  • August 18, 2018

Prof Charles Kwesiga, the Executive Director of Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) has been selected to attend a high level conference on Welding and Failure Analysis of Engineering Materials in Aswan city – Egypt.

The event is jointly organized by Central Metallurgical R&D Institute (CMRDI), Cairo University-Egypt and Joining and Welding Research Institute (JWRI), Osaka University-Japan.

According to an invitation letter seen by theUgandan, Prof Kwesiga is required for his experience and expertise in the field of Welding, Laser materials processing, Inspection Failure analysis and Troubleshooting among others.

“In this concern, it is my great pleasure and honor to extend you a cordial invitation to join this conference with a Keynote Lecture related to the conference topics,” the invitation to Prof Kwesiga reads in part.

This will be the 4th International Conference on Welding and Failure Analysis of Engineering Materials and the event will take place at Pyramisa Isis Island Resort in Aswan, Egypt, 19-22 November 2018.

Who is Prof Kwesiga?

Highly regarded by his peers and other professionals in Africa, Professor  Kwesiga is an Industrial Engineer by profession. He also has significant experience as a corporate manager, management consultant, educator, and entrepreneur.

As Executive Director of UIRI, Prof Kwesiga oversees the Institute’s activities that include: technology transfer; technology diffusion; process and product development; business incubation; contract engineering services and applied R&D.

He has spearheaded a rebirth in the Uganda Industrial Research Institute, refurbishing its infrastructure and opening up a robust industrial incubation centre that houses over 30 Ugandan industrial entrepreneurs.

Education and earlier work

Prof Kwesiga, acquired a degree in industrial engineering and later got a job as an analyst in a corporate entity in Ohio – US in 1984.

Kwesiga moved up the ladder, becoming a director of corporate internal performance at a factory in Ohio, a joint venture with close friends in 1986.

It is this background that has enabled him transform the Uganda Industrial Research Institute into a world class research facility and it was recently elected to the World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organisations (WAITRO).

Professor Kwesiga’s other extra-curricular activities include the following:

  • 2nd Vice President of WAITRO (World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organisations).
  • Chairman of the Governing Council of the newly established Uganda Petroleum Institute, Kigumba (UPIK)
  • Special Presidential Assistant (advisor) for Productivity and Competitiveness, Uganda Government.
  • Member of Board of Control of the Senior Command and Staff College Kimaka of Uganda Peoples Defence Forces.Prof Kwesiga is also a member of teaching staff.
  • Dr Kwesiga serves as one of the five-member advisory team for United Nations Economic Council for Africa (UNECA) on Africa Technology Transfer Networks.