The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) Uganda Chapter has given out 102 university and high education scholarships to students from humble families.
The students are from 12 districts that register a high number of school drop outs including Mayuge, Bulisa, Bundibugyo,Kanungu, Ntoroko and Adjuman.
Beneficiaries of the scholarships are 62 females and 40 males and will study from Busitema University, Gulu, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Jinja School of Nursing and Midwiferyand Medical Laboratory Training School.
The students will study science courses such Bachelor of Science (BSC) medicine and surgery, BSC Water Resources Engineering, BSC Agriculture Mechanisation and Irrigation Engineering, BSC Agriculture; Diploma in Laboratory Technology and Nursing.
Scholarships will be funded by Forum for African Women Educationalists Regional Secretariat (FAWE RS)in partnership with Mastercard Foundation.
While at the award event in Gulu, Prof. George Lada Openjuru, the vice chancellor of Gulu University urged the beneficiaries to work hard for academic excellence so that they can contribute to the development of their communities.
“I congratulate all of you for the good performance and qualifying for this scholarship. However, this doesn’t guarantee you success at university, you have to work hard and ensure you successfully complete your education because poor grades or failure could lead to discontinuation,” he stated.
Susan Opok Tumusiime, the executive director of FAWE Uganda said: “The Higher Education Access Programme is a unique initiative aimed at giving a platform for all academically talented students from economically disadvantaged communities an opportunity to study, realise their dreams and exploit their potential through increasing access to quality education in higher Institutions of learning.”
One of the student beneficiaries, Chemutai Sherine, said “I thank God and FAWE Uganda for this opportunity, without it I wouldn’t be here today, I now see my dreams coming true. I come from a family of 12 children and it has not been easy for my parents.
I count myself lucky, because it was impossible for my parents to educate all of us,” she said.
