Ugandan Fellowship Awards 2016
A reception in honour of the Ugandan students who were awarded fellowships to undertake post-graduate study in Ireland and within the region (East & Southern Africa) has been held at the Embassy of Ireland, Kampala. The students were funded under the Government of Ireland’s Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme (FTP).
The Irish Aid FTP has been in existence for over 40 years. Every year, fellowships are awarded to candidates from Irish Aid’s partner countries to address specific capacity gaps in partner organisations within specific sectors and crosscutting areas that Irish Aid is engaged in. The programme targets mid-career professionals who, on completion of their studies, return home to resume work and put their acquired knowledge and skills into practice for the benefit of their organisation and country.
Speaking at the reception, the Ambassador of Ireland to Uganda, H.E. Dónal Cronin, said:
“Since 1995 when Uganda first participated in the programme, we have funded over 250 fellows. This year we will fund 24 candidates who will study in Ireland, in Uganda and other countries in East Africa like Tanzania in areas such as law, business administration, education, public health, gender, and development studies. It is a testament to the calibre of candidates coming from Uganda that year on year Uganda obtains the largest share of scholarships awarded by Irish Aid globally under the Fellowship Training Programme."
He further commended those fellows from Karamoja for their achievement:
"I am delighted that a significant number of our fellows this year come from Karamoja. As some of you might know, Karamoja receives over 50% of our development funding. I have no doubt that with the acquired knowledge and skills you will gain in the course of your studies that there is an even brighter future ahead for the Karamojong."
The Ambassador encouraged the fellows, on completion of their studies, to join the Uganda Irish Alumni Association (UIAA) which was launched in June 2014. All people who have studied in Ireland, whether Ugandan or other nationalities, are welcome to become members of the Alumni Network. Students who have also been funded by the Irish Government to study In-Region are also welcome to join. Most importantly the UIAA provides a forum for members to continue their engagement and friendship with the island of Ireland which it is hoped will last a lifetime. Among the activities supported by the UIAA are networking opportunities, forging cultural links between Ireland and Uganda as well as promoting Ireland as a destination for higher education study.
