Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program Uganda Update IFP

Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program Uganda Update IFP Global Partners’ Meeting: March 12 – 18, 2006 Bangkok, Thailand

IFP Uganda Update 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. About AHEAD IFP Uganda In Brief The IFP Prototype Our Ugandan Fellows/Fellows-Elect Program Highlights Facing Challenges Looking AHEAD Conclusions

About AHEAD… Ø Institutionalized: The Association for the Advancement of Higher Education and Development (AHEAD) was established in Kampala, Uganda in early 2004. AHEAD became an IFP International Partner in early 2005. Ø Mission: AHEAD’s mission embodies the capacity-building required to ‘move ahead’ with a farreaching transformative spirit and a focus on marginalized populations and youth within Africa. Ø Vision: AHEAD believes in spearheading the creative and critical analysis that ultimately fosters higher education, sustainable excellence and meaningful development. Ø Programs: AHEAD’s programs include the administration of IFP, the conducting of research on education, and program management that builds capacity and influences higher education policy.

IFP Uganda In Brief AHEAD/IFP This is the second year for AHEAD as IFP partner for Uganda Number of Fellows • Selection Rounds Four (4) rounds completed, 5 th round in process Main Fields of Study Human Rights, Economics, Public Health and Policy, Education and Rural Development Forty-five (45) including 14 fellow elects • Sixteen (16) fellows to be chosen in April 2006 Countries of Study US, UK, Australia, Canada and Uganda Select Universities Hosting Fellows Columbia, John Hopkins, Mc. Gill, University of London, Birmingham, Reading and Makerere University IFP Uganda Fellows-Elect (2005) Ugandan Fellows Female = 24 Male = 21

Who is the IFP Prototype? l Leadership: experience in serving the community, proven pastcommitment to the social justice cause and a willingness to acquire new knowledge and skills. l Individual Achievements: fostering social transformation and community development as well as academic excellence. l Specific Groups: includes target groups in Uganda (Northern conflict areas, remote ethnic groups, the disabled, refugees, and those from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds)

Sample of Our Ugandan Fellows Dr. Donath Emusu PHD (Public Health) – University of Alabama Donath was born among the Kumam, a small ethnic group in Otuboi, Kaberamaido district in eastern Uganda. He went to the School of Medicine, Makerere University from where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery and later a Master’s degree in Public Health. Prior to the scholarship Donath was working in Moroto District as the Deputy District Director of Health Services. Vencia Lwogose MA (Education) - University of London Vencia completed an MA in Economics of Education at University of London. She is now teaching at Bubinga High School in Iganga District and is attached to the Community Action for Rural Development (CARD), a local NGO in Iganga. She is also actively involved in the formulation of the IFP Alumni association in Uganda. Aaron Mushengyezi , PHD (Literature) - University of Connecticut Aaron Mushegyezi was a lecturer at Makerere University in Kampala. He was involved in a children’s literature project funded by the Rockefeller foundation; Through the Minds Across Africa School Clubs Project at Makerere University. The project, which is the first of its kind, involves teachers in poor primary schools writing storybooks for their pupils in order to improve their reading and writing skills Simon Amajuru, MA (Human Rights) University of Denver Simon was the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Rural Development, CEFORD, a local NGO in Arua covering the West Nile region. CEFORD’s focus is on strengthening the disadvantaged women and men in West Nile to initiate and guide their own development and articulate their demands. Charles Mulekwa, PHD( Performing Arts) - Brown University Charles was born in a large extended family in Mbale district in Eastern Uganda. He holds a Diploma in Education from Nkozi Teachers’ College and Masters Degree in playwriting studies from Birmingham University. Charles who has attained a numerous number of awards in his distinguished career as an actor was until the scholarship working at the Uganda National Cultural Center and National Theatre as the Theatre Administrator

IFP Uganda PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS (2005 – 2006) Outreach • New Website • New Poster • Television and Newspaper Coverage (including local language adverts) • Revamped Interactive Radio Message to local language sites. 180 Radio Spots nationwide • New Application Collection Sites in Rural Areas • Hosted Launch Reception for Press and NGO networks Selection • Fellow Training • Bolstered Leadership, Research and Computer Skill-Building Opportunities Monitoring • Listserv (regional) utilized to build morale and provide academic and employment updates Alumni • Association formed, Networking formalized, Proposal Writing initiated Revised Application Form (directly linked to criteria) • Extra tier of panels to address high volume of applications (5 th Round) • Enhanced training/orientation for selection panels (5 th Round)

Uganda IFP Alumni l Eight (8) IFP-Uganda Alumni are in-country. l Alumni Association registration in process and planning meetings held. l A Draft Constitution has been circulated and revised. l Alumni are also involved in Outreach Activities to help find next IFP Cohort.

Reaching Further Out! l Regional collection sites: This year AHEAD established six pick-up and drop-points for applications in hard-to-reach areas within Uganda, including the war-torn Northern Region. l Website: AHEAD also recently launched its new website: www. ahead. or. ug and availed full information (including application forms) online. l Radio in rural areas: AHEAD created an interactive radio advertisement (180 spots in total) that emphasizes key themes of IFP and runs in eight radio stations throughout target areas. l NGO networking: AHEAD successfully liaised with NGOs and their networks outside of Kampala in person, through post and email. l Scholarship links: AHEAD also established links with other scholarships, and is creating a special page in its website to advise highly qualified Ugandan candidates who do not meet the IFP criteria. l New Material: AHEAD designed a new IFP poster which was widely disseminated to community-based organizations, slums, and other public areas. Children from conflict-torn Northern Uganda

The AHEAD/IFP poster

Challenges Facing… Fellows: v v v Lapses in Administrative Responsibilities Hurricane Katrina Displacement Need Strengthened Financial Management Skills High Family Demands (due to HIV/AIDS, civil conflict, etc) Need for Cultural Awareness Training for Overseas Study AHEAD: v v v The Batwa (pygmies) are one of the most marginalized populations in Uganda v v Seek Local Living Allowance Increase Expected 12 -hour daily Electricity Outages in Kampala Further Define “Marginalized” in Ugandan Context Change Selection Process to reflect substantial increase in numbers of IFP Applications Expand Outreach to Community-based Organizations Enhance Cohort-Building before Pre-Departure Workshop Disadvantaged/Qualified Applicants submitting poor quality forms

Looking AHEAD… AHEAD’s future plans include: • Increase networking with other scholarship programs, Diaspora groups, Higher Education Councils, and others. • Begin Semi-annual education page with national newspapers. • Strengthen alliance with U. S. Embassy, British Council. • Establish Annual IFP Leadership Luncheon. • More consistent communication with IFP’s Strategic University Partners. • Reinforce Unique Qualities of IFP Program as part of Public Outreach. • Better Utilize IFP Cohort Leaders. Breathtaking Falls on the Nile

Conclusions We will emphasize IFP as a Post Graduate Scholarship “with a difference. ” We will reinforce message that IFP has a transparent selection process. We will support disadvantaged applicants who demonstrate strong potential. We will utilize innovative outreach tools to expand our access to target populations. We will seek to establish a strong nexus with other educational initiatives. We will support IFP alumni on their ‘reentry’ and encourage involvement with new cohorts, employment networks and social justice campaigns.

Thank You.