Dr. Diana Kwarikunda

Dr. Diana Kwarikunda

Deputy Vice Chancellor

dkwarikunda@iguka.ac.ug

Dr. Diana Kwarikunda is a distinguished academic leader and accomplished researcher currently serving as the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Head of Research at St. Ignatius University Kabale (IGUKA), Uganda. Holding a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) cum laude specializing in Educational Psychology and School Psychology, Dr. Kwarikunda is deeply committed to fostering academic excellence and a vibrant research environment within the university.

View Dr. Kwarikunda’s ResearchGate profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Diana-Kwarikunda

Her research expertise lies in understanding the intricate dynamics of student motivation, learning strategies, and academic engagement, particularly within the context of science education. Dr. Kwarikunda employs rigorous methodologies, often utilizing a mixed methods approach and advanced statistical techniques such as latent profile analysis, to provide nuanced insights into factors influencing student success within the Ugandan educational landscape.

A strong advocate for quality assurance in higher education, Dr. Kwarikunda’s passion in this area is evidenced by her prior intensive training with the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) in Burundi. This training underscores her commitment to implementing and maintaining high standards in all aspects of academic provision.

Furthermore, Dr. Kwarikunda holds an International Teaching Professions Advanced Certificate from the University of Potsdam (Germany), demonstrating her dedication to pedagogical excellence and the continuous improvement of teaching practices.

Dr. Kwarikunda’s collaborative research network extends across several countries and institutions, including:

  • Germany: University of Potsdam (Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schiefele)
  • Uganda:
  • Kyambogo University (Prof. Dr. Joseph Ssenyonga)
  • Mbarara University of Science and Technology (Dr. Charles Magoba Muwonge, Dr. Nakalema Gladys)

Driven by a passion for enhancing educational practices, fostering a robust research culture, and ensuring the highest standards of quality, Dr. Kwarikunda is a collaborative researcher who actively engages with both national and international scholars. Her multifaceted expertise and unwavering commitment to academic advancement make her an invaluable asset to St. Ignatius University Kabale and the wider higher education community.

  1. Doctor of philosophy in Psychology (Cum Laude)
  2. Advanced certificate- International teaching professions
  3. Master of Education (Psychology)- First Class
  4. Bsc. Education (Biology Chemistry)
  1. Kwarikunda, D., Nakalema, G., Muwonge, C. M., Ssenyonga, J. & Schiefele,U., (2023). Adjusting to and thriving in a new school: Role of students’ expectations, educational attitudes and resilience during secondary school transitions. International Journal of School and Educational
  2. Kwarikunda, D., Schiefele, U., Ssenyonga, J., & Muwonge, C. M. (2022). Profiles of learners based on their cognitive and metacognitive learning strategies use: Occurrence and relations with gender, intrinsic motivation and perceived autonomy support. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 9, 337.
  3. Muwonge, C. M., Kembabazi, A., Nakalema, G., Ekatushabe, M., Kwarikunda, D., Kibedi, H., & Ssenyonga, J. (2022). Psychological well-being among young people living with HIV: Role of social support, self-esteem and socio-demographic variables. In L. Schutte et al. (eds.), Embracing well-being in diverse African contexts: Research perspectives, cross-cultural advancements in positive psychology. Springer Nature, Switzerland
  4. Kwarikunda, D., Schiefele, U., Ssenyonga, J., & Muwonge, C. M. (2021). Secondary School Students Motivation Profiles for Physics Learning: Relations with Cognitive Learning Strategies, Gender, Attitudes, and Individual Interest. African Journal of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 25 (8), 197-210.
  5. Ekatushabe, M., Kwarikunda, D., Muwonge, C. M., Ssenyonga, J., & Schiefele, U.(2021).Relations between perceived teachers autonomy support, cognitive appraisals and boredom in physics learning among lower secondary school students. International Journal of STEM Education. 8, 8.
  6. Kwarikunda, D., Schiefele, U., Ssenyonga, J., & Muwonge, C. M. (2020). The relationship between motivation for, and interest in, learning physics among lower secondary school students in Uganda. African Journal of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 24(2), 435 – 446.
  7. Muwonge, C. M., Ssenyonga, J., & Kwarikunda, D. (2018). Cognitive Appraisals, Achievement Emotions, and Motivation towards Learning Mathematics among Lower Secondary Students. African Journal of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 22(2) 243-
  8. Kwarikunda, D., Schiefele, U., Hunt, T., Muwonge, C. M. & Ssenyonga, J. (In Review). Changes in students’ motivation and cognitive learning strategies uses during physics learning: A latent transition analysis. Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary Studies.

PRESENTATIONS , INVITED LECTURES , AND SUMMER SCHOOLS .

  • Kwarikunda, D. & Muwonge, C. M. (04.12.2023). Academic Motivation. Lecture presented to psychology students at the University of Derby.
  • Kwarikunda, D. & Muwonge, C. M. (1.11.2022). Academic Motivation. Lecture presented to psychology students at the University of Derby.
  • Kwarikunda, & Muwonge, C. M. (30.11.2021) Academic motivation: The Ugandan perspective from the cross-cultural study of psychological barriers affecting STEM education. Lecture presented to psychology students at the University of Derby.
  • Education and citizenship: Learning and instruction and shaping futures. Online conference organized by EARLI. 23 27 AUGUST 2021
  • Kwarikunda, D., Schiefele, U., Ssenyonga, J., & Muwonge, C. M. (2021). Trajectories of students’ motivation and learning strategies use. Single paper presented at STEM Education conference 2021 – ONLINE Conference. 23nd -26rd. 2021
  • Kwarikunda, D., Schiefele, U., Ssenyonga, J., & Muwonge, C. M. (2021). Attitudes, Interests, Motivation and Cognitive learning strategy use for Physics learning in Uganda. Poster presented at JURE 2021 – ONLINE Conference. August. 22nd -23rd. 2021.
  • Fourth Summer School on Statistical Methods for Linguistics and Psychology (SMLP) from September 07th to 11th, 2020, in Potsdam, Germany.