The Ford Foundation International Fellowship Program IFP East

The Ford Foundation International Fellowship Program (IFP) - East Africa Presentation by: Margaret K. Kasembe Program Coordinator, IFP Tanzania Alumni Directory Launching Occasion held at the City Paradise Hotel Dar es Salaam, 18 th Jan. 2010 1

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE FORD FOUNDATION n The Ford Foundation has been actively involved in funding development programs for over 50 years. n The Foundation’s main goals are to: n Strengthen democratic values n Reduce poverty & injustice n Promote international cooperation n Advance human achievements n The Foundation’s grant-making areas are focused on the following fields of study: n Asset Building & Community Development n Education, Media, Arts & Culture 2 n Peace Building & Social justice

IFP Program Overview • Approved by Ford Foundation Trustees in September 2000 and launched in 2001 • Initially, $280 Million over 10 years • In 2005 an additional $ 75 m was made • Operating in 22 Ford Foundation Countries & Territories • Gives Support for up to 3 years of Post-Baccalaureate Study Worldwide • Estimated 4, 000 Fellows sponsored globally Program Goal: To provide opportunities for advanced study to exceptional individuals who will use this education to become leaders in their respective fields, furthering development in their own countries, and attaining greater economic and social justice worldwide Program Objectives: • To Diversify Leadership Pool with Individuals from Marginalized & • • Disadvantaged Communities To Strengthen Link Between Education & Development To Promote Global Citizenship 3

AIMS OF THE PROGRAM (IFP) To provide opportunities to talented people from communities lacking systematic access to higher education so as to broaden the talent pool of future leaders in developing countries To prepare Fellows to become leaders in the field that further the goals of the Foundation through the knowledge and skills gained from advanced graduate study AIMS 4 To encourage Fellows to apply their advanced skills and knowledge in the development and advancement of their own communities and countries

BASIC PREMISES Leaders for the new century must be grounded in their local contexts and have access to the best critical thinking and knowledge in their fields. IFP is: n Creating a New generations of leaders with direct knowledge of their societies’ worst problems and inequities will benefit as individuals from post-graduate study n Having Individuals selected on the basis of their social commitment and leadership potential in addition to their academic achievements will be strongly motivated to use their education for the betterment of their communities n Achieving Social returns on investment in education are quickly compounded through reinforcing networks that strive for a common purpose, especially in attaining social justice 5

PROGRAM TARGET The program is aimed at outstanding individuals from groups or communities that historically have lacked opportunities to pursue higher education Particular ethnic, racial or religious groups q. Women q. Disabled People living outside major cities and working with communities 6

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA n Residents and Resident citizens of participating n n country (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda). Holders of Bachelors Degree who have demonstrated academic excellency in their studies and have leader ship potential. Experience in working with community or development related activities An intention to pursue formal Masters or Doctoral training that will enhance their leadership skills in fields that support the goals of the Ford Foundation. Have a statement of objectives specifying how they intend to apply their study skills and knowledge to social justice issues in their own community/or country. 7

PROGRAM SELECTION PROCESS Applications submitted to IPs and are screened for completeness IPS identify academics and professionals as Short-listing & Selection Committee Members Short-listing Committee evaluates completed applications and recommends candidates for interview. Selection Committees interview candidates and make recommendations. IFP NY review and endorse recommendations All short- listed applicants are notified of outcome Successful applicants are assisted with University placement. 8

TARGET GROUP n. Social Orientation / Marginalization n. Academic achievement and promise n. Leadership potential / Demonstrated Social Commitment n. Career and Professional Goals Pool of Applicants Academic Background & Proposed Study Demonstrated Social Commitment Program & Purpose Leadership Skills & Potential 9 IFP Target Group Change Agents

IFP Global Coverage Group I Russia Chile Peru Vietnam Senegal Nigeria Ghana Group II China Tanzania Uganda Kenya India Mexico Guatemala 10 Group III Indonesia Philippines Brazil Egypt Palestine South Africa Mozambique Thailand (2003)

IFF/IFP Institutional Structure Ford Foundation IFF Board of Directors Association of African Universities (West Africa) (4 IIE and 3 FF members) IIE - New York Center for Education Exchange with Vietnam IIE - Russia Latin America Faculty of Social Sciences (Chile & Peru) IIE/IIEF - Indonesia (Indonesia Int’l Education Foundation) IFF/IFP Secretariat IIE - Mexico with CIRMA (Guatemala) & CIESAS (Mexico) East Africa AHEAD, ESRF, & FAWE IIE - China United States Educational Foundation in India Carlos Chagas Foundation (Brazil) The Africa-America Institute (Southern Africa) American-Mideast Educational & Training 11 Services Philippines Social Science Council FF Field Offices

IFP EAST AFRICA INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS– FAWE, ESRF & AHEAD n FAWE The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) was created in 1992 as a response to the slow pace of implementation of Education for All girls in sub-Saharan Africa. FAWE seeks to ensure that girls have access to school, complete their studies and perform well at all levels. n ESRF The Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF) was established in 1994 as an independent, not-for-profit institution and policy analysis and development management and to enhance the understanding of policy and strategic development frameworks in the government, the public sector, civil society, and the donor community and the growing private sector. n AHEAD The Association for the Advancement of Higher Education and Development. Based in Uganda, the association works in Higher Education consultancy and research. 12

IFP IN KENYA, TANZANIA, & UGANDA n The IFP and International Partnership in East Africa began in 2000 and is expected to continue until the completion of the program in the year 2012 n Expected total output in East Africa will be over 300 Alumni by the end of the program n Last round of selection is for 2010/2011 n On average a total 3, 000 applications are received annually in Kenya, Uganda & Tanzania n Selected numbers are based on the given slots for each country. 13

FACTS AND FIGURES Eight Cohorts Selected from 2001 -2009 Country No of Fellowships Awarded No of Active Fellows No of Alumni Already Produced Geographica l Spread within the countries No of Universities and Host Countries Fields of Study KENYA 99 48 45 8 Provinces 20 from urban and 75 from rural areas USA (Over 30) 23 Regions in Mainland plus Zanzibar Europe (10) Dev (Rural and Community Education Law/ Human Rights Health (Health Policy, Public Health Env Conservation Sociology/Anthropology, Public Policy/ Governance Agricultural Sciences IT/Mass Comm Arts/Culture Economics/ Microfinancing 30 Ph. D 90 Masters TANZANIA 109 24 70 23 Ph. D 86 Masters UK (Over 25 ) Australia (3) UGANDA Africa (5 ) 30 Ph. D 80 Masters 14

FACTS AND FIGURES Cont… n IFP Fellows have so far studied in more than 500 universities in 45 countries n About 1/3 of Fellows study in the U. S. and Canada, about 1/3 in the U. K. and Europe, and about 1/3 in their home countries and regions n 98% of IFP Fellows complete their fellowships in good academic standing n 85% of IFP Fellows have already earned their postgraduate degrees 15

Impact of IFP in East Africa n Impact from training programs is usually realize after 5 years. However with IFP alumni, there is evidence of significant impact almost immediately they come back. Evidence is in the Alumni Directories from the three countries. n Brain –drain is reversed to brain-gain with over 89% returnees in each country. n Alumni are engaged in different aspects of development and social justice: food safety, sustainable agriculture and livestock dev, health, gender, disability, education, human rights, community development, environment, and economic growth through micro-entrepreneurship development. 16

Future of IFP in East Africa Cont… n Community Projects are being undertaken by the Alumni n n (individually or in groups) as evidence of the efforts being made in order for the alumni to fulfill their promises which were made during the selection Presence of IFP Association in each of the countries Tanzania Alumni Association (TIFPA), IFP Alumni Kenya, and …. n Uganda Regionally, the formulation of an East African Alumni Association is underway. At country level, production of Alumni Directory in order to enhance the program’s and the associations’ visibility in the respective countries. Meanwhile joint alumni LSJ, Video Documentaries, conferences and meetings are planned for 2010/2011 17

FURTHER INFORMATION n IFP EAST AFRICA Website: www. fawe. org n IFP TANZANIA Website: www. ifptanzania. esrftz. org n www. ifptanzania. esrftz. org/tifpa/ n International Fellowship Program Website: www. Ford. IFP. net n Ford Foundation Website: www. Fordfound. org/news/ifp 18

Hon Minister, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Thank You very much for Your Attention! 19