The first in a family of 10 siblings to attain a degree, Lydia graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Social Administration on October 17th, 2014 at Ndejje University in Uganda. (more…)
ASSET-Uganda, a non-profit organization providing scholarships and mentorship to outstanding Ugandan students pursuing higher education, is seeking qualified applicants to apply for its Women in Higher Education program. The program will provide leadership training, career guidance, internship placement, mentorship and tuition scholarships for 20 female students who are currently enrolled in or applying for entry into an institution of higher education in Uganda. We are seeking young Ugandan women from disadvantaged backgrounds who have demonstrated real potential for success, desire to better their communities, and wish to become leaders in their chosen fields. Students from all fields of study will be considered including universities and vocational schools. Funding for this program was made possible through the generous support of our funding partner, Dining for Women.
Who is eligible to apply? Ugandan women currently enrolled in or applying to enroll in an institution of higher learning (university or vocational school) in Uganda. Applicants must demonstrate need for financial assistance and a history of good grades.
All those who are selected will be asked to sign a letter of intent affirming they intend to attend all leadership training symposia and that they intend to continue to work within Uganda for at least 1 year upon completion of their programs. Continuation in the program is dependent on grades and professional conduct; ASSET reserves the right to dismiss students who don’t maintain good grades or otherwise demonstrate poor conduct.
How do I apply? If you are eligible to apply, please complete the attached form and submit to admin@assetuganda.org by 1st March 2014. Click the link to the form below titled ASSET-WIHE-Sponsorship-Application-Form, then on the next page, click the link that says asset-wihe-sponsorship-application-form to save the .doc file to your computer.
Did you know that medical residents (physicians in training) in Uganda have to pay tuition? This is unlike residents in the U.S. who get paid a salary for their work during their post-graduate training years. In Uganda, medical school graduates complete a one-year internship with rotations in multiple specialties after which they can practice as a general practitioner making an average monthly salary of $480 USD. Those who desire further or specialized training may then enter a residency training program. However, the loss of salary and requirement to pay tuition deter many young doctors from furthering their training, despite great need within Uganda.
ASSET is thrilled to begin supporting medical resident education in Uganda, as this fits nicely with our existing vision of training a new generation of African leaders while also addressing the severe health care worker shortage in Uganda. The first medical resident to be supported through ASSET is a female family medicine resident at Makerere University College of Health Sciences in Kampala.
ASSET medical resident scholars will be involved in the ASSET scholars network and help facilitate leadership training sessions for our other students. They will also be matched with a volunteer physician mentor to enhance their research, writing and leadership skills. To this end, we hope to help these young doctors not only gain additional knowledge and skills in their specialty, but also to become skillful leaders in their field, with the potential to impact the health and well-being of millions.
To address the issue of “brain drain” of qualified doctors out of high-need areas within Uganda, medical residents supported through ASSET will sign a Memorandum of Understanding stipulating their commitment to work in a community of need within Uganda for at least one year for each year of sponsorship he/she receives through ASSET.
Click here to donate to ASSET-Uganda and help us train a new generation of physicians. Or for questions about how you can support the training of a young Ugandan physician, email us at admin@assetuganda.org.