102 students get university scholarships

EDUCATION

102 students from very humble family backgrounds have received university and other high education scholarships.

The scholarships are funded by Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) Uganda Chapter in partnership with the Forum for African Women Educationalists Regional Secretariat (FAWE RS) and the Mastercard Foundation.

The beneficiaries are from 12 districts. The districts are; Mayuge, Bulisa, Bundibugyo,Kanungu, Ntoroko and Adjuman among others. The award event took place at Gulu University in Gulu district. The beneficiaries include 62 females and 40 males.

The student beneficiaries will study from Busitema University, Gulu, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Jinja School of Nursing and Midwiferyand Medical Laboratory Training School.

The award event chief guest 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.

Openjuru called upon, the awardees to remember where they come from, situations they left home, the people who look up to them and capitalize on that as motivation to work hard and transform their communities. He committed to offer total support to them and ensure they settle in, pursue their education and excel.

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.

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."

The Chief Guest, Prof. George Lada Openjuru, the Vice Chancellor of Gulu University handing a bursary award letter to one of the students, looking on is Mrs. Irene Kiiza-Onyango, the FAWE Uganda Board Member and other guests.

She said; "I call upon all the students who have been awarded in the 2018 - 2019 academic year to exercise self-discipline while at school, work very hard and make the best use of this life time opportunity to realise and maximise both their education and career dreams and above all contribute to the development of their communities and country at large."

Beneficiary's view

Chemutai Sherine, one of the students said she didn't believe that she could make it to university level because of biting poverty in her family.

"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.