Dr. Dennis Zami Atibuni holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (Educational Psychology) and B.Sc. (Educ) – Hons. He is the Head of Education Department at the Faculty of Science and Education, Busitema University, Nagongera Campus. Assoc. Prof. Atibuni is also the Chairperson of Faculty Higher Degrees Committee. He has served before at the Department of Education as Assistant Examinations Coordinator and School Practice Coordinator with over fifteen years of university teaching and research experience at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Dr. Atibuni has been a postdoctoral research fellow (PDRF) at the Ali Mazrui Centre for Higher Education Studies at University of Johannesburg – South Africa under the supervision of Professor Michael Cross (RIP) and Prof. Emnet Tadesse Woldegiorgis. His research interests/areas of specialty include student (research) engagement at higher learning; educational assessment; pre-service and in-service teacher education; science and mathematics education pedagogy; research methodology and engagement; social and personality psychology; developmental psychology; guidance and counselling; special needs education; and psychological determinants of effective academic leadership at higher educational institutions. He is currently supervising the research works of postgraduate students, and has served both as internal and external examiner for master’s dissertations and viva voice examinations. Dr Atibuni has participated in, presented papers and/or served as invited guest speaker and chair at different local and international conferences, seminars, and workshops. He is an author and co-author of several articles and book chapters in addition to editing a book volume. Dr. Atibuni is a reviewer of articles for different international journals, including serving as a board member of Research Journal of Education. He has won a couple of prizes and trainings, including from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Secondary Science and Mathematics Teachers (SESEMAT) Programme, Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA), African Doctoral Academy (ADA), and the PDRF at the University of Johannesburg. Dr. Atibuni has served a number of assessment bodies and universities in Uganda including UNEB and UBTEB as an achievement examiner, item writer, item moderator, and quality assessment workshop facilitator. Outside academia, Dr. Atibuni has served as a guest/consultant presenter at an education talk show on EAST FM radio, motivational speaker and continuous professional development facilitator for teachers in primary and secondary schools, catechist(lay chaplain) of the Catholic Church, and he offers guidance and counselling to students, staff, and the general public.
- Oketcho, E. J., & Atibuni, D. Z. (2022). COVID-19 Pandemic Management Strategies and Implementation of Educational Programmes in Tororo District, Uganda. In J. Keengwe (Ed.), Handbook of Research on Social Justice and Equity in Education. IGI Global.
- Atibuni, D. Z. (2021). The disabling influence of work-life imbalance and the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) on postgraduate research engagement and progress. In S. Ndlovu & N. Phefumula (Eds.), Social, Educational, and Cultural Perspectives of Disabilities in the Global South (pp. 224-234). Hershey, PA: IGI Global Publishers. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-4867-7.ch015
- Atibuni, D. Z., & Olema, D. K. (2021). Assuring quality amidst political intrigue in higher education institutions. East African Journal of Education Studies, 3(1), 1-13..
- Barasa, M. P., & Atibuni, D. Z., Andama, E. (2021). Strategies of inclusive education among learners with disabilities in Busia District, Uganda. In S. Ndlovu & N. Phefumula (Eds.), Social, Educational,
- and Cultural Perspectives of Disabilities in the Global South (pp. 116-129). Hershey, PA: IGI Global Publishers. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-4867-7.ch008C. 2020
- Atibuni, D. Z. (2020). Institutional support and student-faculty interaction for postgraduate research engagement. In D. Z. Atibuni (Ed.), Postgraduate Research Engagement in Low Resource Settings: Emerging research and opportunities (pp. 219-245). Hershey, PA: IGI Global Publishers. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-0264-8.ch012
- Atibuni, D. Z. (Ed.). (2020). Postgraduate research engagement in low resource settings. Hershey, PA: IGI Global Publishers.
- Atibuni, D. Z., Olema, D. K., Ssenyonga, J., Kibanja, M. G. (2020). How work-life balance and research skills proficiency affect research engagement. In D. Z. Atibuni (Ed.), Postgraduate Research Engagement in Low Resource Settings: Emerging research and opportunities (pp. 115-128). Hershey, PA: IGI Global Publishers. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-0264-8.ch007
- Manyiraho, D.,* Atibuni, D. Z., Olema, D. K. (2020). Test and Item Response Theories and School Environment as Assessment Practice Factors among Science and Mathematics Teachers in Secondary Schools in Eastern Uganda. East African Sciences,1(3),86.
- Manyiraho, D., Atibuni, D. Z., Olema, D. K., & Wamakote, L. (2020). SESEMAT in-service pedagogical strategies and students’ achievement in science at ordinary level in Tororo SESEMAT Region. American Journal of Educational Research, 8(5), 309-320. DOI: 10.12691/education-8-5-14.
- Atibuni, D. Z. (2020). Roles, stress, and coping among middle level academics in multi-campus universities in Africa. Journal of Higher Education in Africa/RESA, 17(1&2), 95-124.
- Olema, D. K., Atibuni, D. Z*, Birabwa, E. (2020). How quality of supervision moderates the relationship between student teachers’ preparation for and performance in school practice. American Journal of Educational Research, 8(8), 593-599. DOI:10.12691/education-8-8-12
- Atibuni, D. Z. (2020). Autonomy and interdependence of higher education quality assurancemechanisms in Africa. London Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Sciences, 20(3), 33-49.
- Nabitula, A., Manyiraho, D., & Atibuni, D. Z. (2020). Enhancing teacher capacity for gender responsive stem pedagogy through mentorship in rural Uganda. Conference Proceedings of the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) 2 nd International Conference on “Towards Effective Approaches for Girls’ Engagement and Excellence: Preparing African Girls for the 21 st Century Skills” on November 19, 2020.
- Manyiraho, D., Atibuni, D. Z., Olema, D. K., & Wamakote, L. (2020). SESEMAT in-service pedagogical strategies and students’ achievement in science at ordinary level in Tororo SESEMAT Region. In M. Cunningham & P. Cunningham (Eds), IST-Africa 2020 Conference Proceedings (pp. 1-8). Kampala: IST- Africa Institute and IIMC. URL: www.IST-Africa.org/Conference2020
- Manyiraho, D.,* Atibuni, D. Z., Olema, D. K. (2020). Knowledge and application of test theories in assessment of science and mathematics by teachers in eastern Uganda. Conference Proceedings of the 1 st Annual International Conference on Education, Science, and Social Sciences (AICESSS) at International University, Kampala - Uganda (IUIU) on July 9-12, 2019.D. 2019
- Atibuni, D. Z., Olema, D. K., Ssenyonga, J., & Kibanja, G. M. (2019). Enhancing work-life balance and research engagement among students in higher education institutions. In J. Keengwe & R. Byamukama (Eds.), Handbook of Research on Promoting Higher-Order Skills and Global Competencies in Life and Work (pp. 148-165). Hershey, PA: IGI Global Publishers.
- Oketcho, E. J., Ssempala, F., Ujeyo, M. S. S., & Atibuni, D. Z.* (2019). Headteachers’ Management Styles and Teachers’ Role Performance in Secondary Schools in Tororo District, Uganda. Journal of Education. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022057419877393
- Atibuni, D. Z. (2019). Shifting from Assessment of Learning to Assessment for Learning in Postgraduate Research. Psychology and Education: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 56(2), 71-80.
- Capuc, F. O., & Atibuni, D. Z.* (2019). Impact of e-registration on the quality of assessment resources in Uganda. Journal of Educational Assessment in Africa, 13, 332-341.
- Atibuni, D. Z. (2019). Research as assessment for learning vs assessment of learning at higher education. The International Academic Forum (IAFOR) Conference Series 2019 January 03-05, 2019.Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. E. 2018
- Ochwo, D., Atibuni, D. Z., and Sekiwu, D. (2018). Efficacy of information and communication technology in digitalized students’ records management in universities in Eastern Uganda. African Educational Research Journal, 6(2): 99-106.
- Atibuni, D. Z., & Olema, D. K. (2018). Incorporating assessment of learning in assessment for learning: Shifting from foundational competences to practical and reflexive competences in learning institutions. Journal of Educational Assessment in Africa, 12, 32-43.
- Obbo, R. J., Olema, D. K., & Atibuni, D. Z. (2018). Secondary school headteachers’ leadership styles and teachers’ organizational commitment in Tororo Municipality. International Journal of Management and Commerce Innovations, 5 (2), 984-990.F. 2017
- Namwagwe, J., Atibuni, D. Z., & Sekiwu, D. (2017). Mediation effect of performance appraisal management on the work environment – job satisfaction relationship among support staff in a university in Uganda. African Educational Research Journal, 5(4), 246-253.
- Atibuni, D. Z., Kibanja, M. G., Ssenyonga, J., Olema, D. K., & Karl, S. (2017). Challenges and strategies
- of research engagement among Master of Education students in Uganda. International Journal ofEducational Policy Research and Review, 4 (3), 19-28. Available online at https://www.journalissues.org/IJEPRR/ https://doi.org/10.15739/IJEPRR.16.004
- Atibuni, D. Z., Ssenyonga, J., Olema, D. K., & Kemeza, I. (2017). Locus of control as a predictor of
- academic attitudes among secondary school science teacher trainees at a public university in Uganda. International Journal of Educational Policy Research and Review, 4 (6), 125-137. Available online athttps://www.journalissues.org/IJEPRR/ https://doi.org/10.15739/IJEPRR.17.014017).
- Atibuni, D. Z., Olema, D. K., Ssenyonga, J., Karl, S., & Kibanja, M. G. (2 Mediation effect of research skills proficiency on the core self-evaluations – research engagement relationship among master of education students in Uganda. Journal of Education and Practice, 8 (15). www.iiste.org ISSN 2222-1735 (Paper) ISSN 2222-288X (Online)
- Privatisation as a Promoter of Flawed Educational Assessment and Higher Education Access. A paper presented at the 1st International Conference on Teaching and Learning in Higher Education “Reimaging Teaching to Maximize Student Learning” at Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) in Oman from 10 – 12 February, 2020.
- Acceptance and resistance, and challenges of e-registration at Uganda National Examinations Board Examination Centres. A paper presented at the Association for Educational Assessment in Africa (AEAA) conference 2019 in Abuja on August 9-12, 2019.
- . A 4IR fundamental paradigm shift in teacher training: From training to teach, to preparing to produce learning. A paper presented at the 63rd ICET World Assembly 2019 at Glenburn Lodge and Spa, Johannesburg, South Africa on July 9-11, 2019.
- Knowledge and application of test theories in assessment of science and mathematics by teachers in eastern Uganda. Paper presented at the 1st Annual International Conference on Education, Science, and Social Sciences (AICESSS) at International University, Kampala - Uganda (IUIU) on July 9-12, 2019.
- Academic Writing Workshop 1 and 2: Hands-on approach to APA 6. A series of workshops delivered to postgraduate students at the Ali Mazrui Centre for Higher Education Studies, Faculty of Education, University of Johannesburg, on May 9, 2019 and May 16, 2019.
- Research as assessment for learning vs assessment of learning at higher education. Paper presented online at the International Academic Forum (IAFOR) Conference Series 2019 January 03-05, 2019. Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
- The role of middle level academics in university leadership. Paper presented to the Council for Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) Higher Education Policy Initiative (HEPI) Institute on April 28, 2018 at Makerere University.
- Resource management for effective performance in schools. A workshop facilitated to teaching staffs of UPDF schools in Third division on September 25, 2017.
- Ethics and values in academic pursuit. (b) Religiosity, secularism, and pluralism at campus. (c) Conflict and conflict resolution at university. Papers presented to beneficiaries of FAWE Uganda on September 5 –6, 2017 at Jinja School of Nursing and Midwifery.
- ( Innovations in and approaches to dealing with examination malpractice (b). Incorporating assessment of learning in assessment for learning: Shifting from foundational competences to practical and reflexive competences in learning institutions. Papers presented at the 35th AEAA Conference at Speke Resort and Conference Centre on August 7-11, 2017.
- 11. (a). Ethics and values in academic pursuit. (b) Religiosity, secularism, and pluralism at campus. (c) Conflict and conflict resolution at university. Papers presented to beneficiaries of FAWE Uganda on July 25-27, 2017 at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
- Hard work and discipline: the keys to successful academic and career life. A career talk delivered to the teachers and students of Bubangizi SS on July 19, 2017.
- Assessing Social and Emotional Skills: A Paradigm Shift from Assessment of Foundational Competences to Assessment of Practical and Reflexive Competences at Primary School in Uganda. A poster presentation at the 1st National Conference on Learning Outcomes in Uganda 2017 at Kyambogo University on April 12-13, 2017.
Associate Professor.
Student engagement, higher learning, educational assessment, pre-service and in-service teacher education, science and mathematics education, pedagogy, research methodology Research engagement, social psychology, personality psychology, developmental psychology; guidance and counselling,special needs education, psychological determinants, effective academic leadership, higher educational institutions.