Prossy Nassanga lectures on food science at Uganda's Gulu University. She recounts her experience of visiting Norway via the NORPART staff exchange program.
Travelling with Arthur Owor, the director of the Centre for African Research, our journey started on Tuesday 2 April 2024 from Entebbe International Airport. Our project leader, Darley Kjosavik had forewarned us that the temperature would be 3 degrees C upon our arrival in Norway. I prepared by shopping for appropriate clothing.
The distinct atmosphere of a new continent
As our plane descended towards Oslo airport, a beautiful and novel experience unfolded. White blankets of snow partially decorated the forests and roadsides. It was then that I truly appreciated the reality of the lower temperatures. Landing in Oslo brought forth a sense of fulfillment: I was finally in Europe, experiencing the distinct atmosphere of a new continent! Although the airport building provided warmth, stepping outside revealed the true chill of the weather. Thankfully, my heavy jumpers shielded me from the cold.
Darley joined us at the airport and we boarded a train bound for Oslo. Within 20 minutes, we arrived at Oslo Central Station. I checked into Comfort Hotel Boersparken where I spent six comfortable nights. The Indian restaurant Masala Politics provided the welcome dinner to Norway. You should have joined me for the chicken tika - it was so tasty! The revelation that tap water throughout Norway is potable initially surprised me, but observing my colleagues, I swiftly adapted.
Experiencing new leadership methods
Wednesday 3 April marked our first meeting with project partners in Ås, home to the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. A brief train ride from Oslo brought us there. The welcoming staff under the leadership of the Head of the Department of International Environment and Development Studies (Noragric), Jennifer Joy West, received us warmly. It struck me how people here seemed focused on their own tasks, lacking the casual greetings common back home in Uganda. Distinguishing between university staff and students proved challenging, as they share facilities.
The weekly Wednesday lunch meeting at Noragric, where staff come with their lunch, underscored the importance of regular communication in a community, fostering collaboration and unity. Attending this meeting provided me with valuable leadership insights, emphasizing the significance of involving diverse perspectives and voices in decision-making, while highlighting the role of a leader in providing feedback. I found this method of communication innovative and time-saving.
Additionally, I discovered a notable distinction between the administrative structure at NMBU and that of my own university. At NMBU, the Head of Department role is solely administrative, unlike my university where it's typically an academic role. This organizational difference affords the academic staff at Noragric the opportunity to dedicate ample time to research, teaching, and project development.
Presenting my research on nutrition for refugees
My seminar presentation on enhancing the capabilities of young women refugees in Northern Uganda to produce nutritious composite flour provided yet another inspiring opportunity, particularly as I presented to senior researchers from the Global North. This sparked exciting inquiries, including whether the study's funder was also supporting result dissemination. Questions were raised about the polishing of millet, akin to the treatment of maize, which I effectively addressed. The enthusiasm of department members was evident as they turned out in large numbers to attend our seminar presentations.
Visiting the Student Information Centre (SiT) and Staff Information Centre (SaT) was quite an enlightening experience. Tendai graciously introduced us to her colleagues and provided us with an insightful overview of their roles and responsibilities at both centres. During our discussion, she emphasized the importance of attending the orientation week for new students. If you're considering pursuing your master's degree at NMBU, it's crucial not to overlook this opportunity. Trust me, it's extremely relevant and will undoubtedly benefit you immensely!
Egalitarian relationship between students and supervisors
Interacting with students presenting their work proved enlightening. The egalitarian relationship between students and supervisors was evident, fostering a collaborative learning environment. The student housing exemplified orderliness and respect for communal property such as cookers, refrigerators, etc, reflecting a sense of community among residents. We were welcomed to a Ugandan buffet with a variety of foods prepared by the students. The students were very excited to see us and share their experiences since arriving in Norway. Despite encountering a few hurdles along the way, they have managed to settle in so well.
Our exploration of Norway ended on Sunday 7 April with visits to notable landmarks including the Opera House, Oslo Cathedral, Akershus Fortress, Lindøya Vest island and the Vigeland Sculpture Park in Frognerparken, as well as the Royal Palace, which provided enriching cultural experiences.
A taste of Norway
Sunday was crowned with a dinner dubbed the 'taste of Norway', which brought together the project's staff and students. The evening was marked by an engaging exchange of experiences from both Uganda and Norway, creating a lively and interactive atmosphere.
The NMBU project team, including Shai, Darley, Lars-Kåre, Pål, and Kaja, made us feel like we had been in Norway for years. Their unwavering support was invaluable! My colleague Arthur showcased exceptional talent in photography and videography. I might need some lessons from you, Arthur! Our team back at Makerere and Gulu: their contributions were truly appreciated. To our students Edith, Sondre, Emmanuel, Denniz, Prisca, Victoria, Pauline, Justin, Samira and Jane: thank you for the resilience and the academic progress you have shown!
Lastly, special thanks go to Lars and Darley for their generous donation of books to Gulu University and the Center for African Research. These books will certainly contribute to community transformation, aligning perfectly with our University’s motto: For Community Transformation
By and large, the staff exchange programme to Norway left a lasting impression that has caused me to rethink several things in life!
