Eng. Dr. Dorothy Okello is Dean, School of Engineering at Makerere University, and a researcher with netLabs!UG, a research centre within the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering whose model is to strive for a balanced critical mass of research, innovation and commercialisation in communications and networking. She is also Director of Innovation at ResilientAfrica Network (RAN), Makerere University School of Public Health. Supported by USAID, RAN seeks to identify, develop and scale innovative solutions that will strengthen the resilience of African communities afflicted by natural as well as man-made shocks and stresses. This it does by applying science, technology, innovation and partnerships, and by using evidence-based approaches.
Dr. Okello holds a Bachelor of Science Engineering (Electrical – First Class Hons.), Makerere University, a Master of Science Electrical Engineering, University of Kansas, United States (Fulbright Scholar), and a Ph.D. Electrical Engineering, McGill University, Canada (Canadian Commonwealth Scholar). She is a member of the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE) where she is Past President (2016-2018), and a duly registered engineer with the Engineers Registration Board (ERB).
Dr. Okello is a leader with over 20 years of diverse experience in teaching, researching, as well as conducting projects and contributing to policies, including serving on various boards in education, telecommunications/ICT, banking and innovation. She is an activist in the area of getting more women, small-scale enterprises and rural communities engaged in innovation for development – with an ability to understand and balance both community and technology objectives.