Fawe to offer 300 bursaries to disadvantaged Ugandan students

BY SAMUEL NABWIISO

The Forum  for African Women  Educationalists  Uganda Chapter( FAWE Uganda) in partnership with MasterCard Foundation have launched the Higher Education Access  Program(HEAP) which aims at supporting disadvantaged  young  women and men to have  access to higher Education. 

The HEAP program is an Eight years program that seeks to enable 300 young women and men from disadvantaged regions of Uganda to have access to higher education and leadership development.

FAWE Uganda Executive Director Christine Semambo Sempebwa said the program will be offering bursaries to 300 academically gifted students.

“The Higher  Education  Access program is unique  Initiative aimed at  giving  a platform for  all academically  talented  yet  economically  disadvantaged  students  an opportunity  to study,  realize  their dreams  and exploit their  potential  through  increasing  access to  quality Education in higher  Institutions  of learning. The  HEAP program  offers 100% bursaries  to learners,” said Ssempebwa.

Minister Tumwesigye Launching the HEAP program on his far right is Master card foundation Director for Education Peter Materu.

Under the program MasterCard Foundation will be supporting FAWE Uganda chapter with financial muscles of about US$10 Million. The program intends to support students under taking science related courses  such as Medicine, Agriculture and Education.

 According to FAWE Uganda chapter the organization has signed partnership with Five training institutions of Higher Learning where the beneficiaries of the program will be studying.

They include Busitema University , Gulu University , Mbarara University of Science and Technology,  Jinja School of Nursing and Midwifery  and the Jinja school of Laboratory Technologist.

Sempebwa said 70% of the students will be women and 30% men of the age between 18-25 in period of eight years.

60% of the course will undertake degree courses while 40% Diploma courses. Up the completion of their training the beneficiaries will be required to go back and work in the local communities where they come from to ensure that they create change in their communities.

Minister Tumwesigye (3rd Right) with some of the FAWE Board Members this was after the Luansh of the program  

The Minister of Science Technology and Innovation Dr. Elioda  Tumwesigye  applauded MasterCard foundation for  supporting government towards  the popularization of science courses  in the country.

“As Government we are much appreciative for what MasterCard foundation is doing especially in supporting Ugandan disadvantaged but bright students to access higher Education especially in the fields of Sciences,” said Tumwesigye.

MasterCard foundation, Director for Education and Learning and Youth Livelihoods Peter Materu challenged the Government to ensure that the learning Environment  is improved to entice more students to study Science related courses.

The HEAP program will  support students from  Northern Uganda districts of  Adjuman  Amudat , Amuru  Kaabong and Pader.

In the Eastern,  the program will support disadvantaged students from  Buyende ,  Bukwo  Katakwi and Mayuge while in the Western region, Bulissa Bundibugyo Kanungu and Ntoroko will benefit.