ACOMUST is a collaboration between Angels Compassion (ACO) Not-for-profit organization in Mbarara Uganda, and Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) in Mbarara Uganda, and various other national and international institutions and organizations.
Angels Compassion (ACO), is a not-for-profit Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) which is fully registered by the Uganda National Board for NGOs with registration number 9392. ACO is driven by the compassion to spearhead sustainable socioeconomic transformation in the lives of vulnerable populations such as women, girls, youth, children and the poor. Located in Kakyeka opposite Ntare School, ACO is a vehicle of Angels/messengers of hope for those in need. Its passion and deeply held value is drawn from the Bible: Philippians 2:4 “Do not be concerned about your own interests, but also be concerned about the interests of others”. Vision and Mission: The vision of ACO is take a lead in compassionately transforming lives and empowering communities through education, research, innovations and social economic development. Its mission is to compassionately transform lives and empower communities through education, research, innovations and social economic development.
Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), the second public university founded in Uganda, is accredited by the country’s National Council for Higher Education (NCHE). Its mission is “to provide quality and relevant education and research with particular emphasis on science and technology and its application to community development.” Since its establishment in 1989, MUST has grown from a five-lecturer, 43-student Medical School to a multi-disciplinary university with more than 500 academic/research staff and 3,000 students. MUST grants office (MGO) has managed more than US$15 million in international grants and contracts. MGO emphasizes clear reporting relationships and accountability; frequent and effective communication; established decision-making mechanisms; and strong fiscal management and controls. The MUST–Research Ethics Committee (MUST – REC) which is fully accredited and certified by the Uganda National Council of Science and Technology (UNCST) supports both national and international research protocols. It is internationally recognized and registered by the Federal Wide Assurance (FWA).
ACO-MUST Research and Innovations partnership
ACO and MUST have an established collaboration whose mission is to “champion quality multidisciplinary and inter-disciplinary research and innovations for inclusive and sustainable socioeconomic development”. The collaboration includes research and innovations, research management and support, technology innovation and infrastructure, research workspace, institutional research ethics approvals, capacity building opportunities, community services, dissemination events, shared learning and field placements, project incubation, program monitoring and evaluation, and data analytics.