The Mastercard Foundation Scholar’s Program at the University of Gondar from the 19th through 20 October 2019 underwent an Induction ceremony for its newly admitted Scholars. Some of the activities that were scheduled included meet and greets, keynote speeches from UoG higher officials, motivational talks, getting informed on the scholarship package and much more.
For the past three years the University of Gondar could be seen doing its fair share to serve its community and country by catering to marginalized individuals not only in Gondar but in the region and country. One such way that UoG has gone about doing this is by pinpointing the needs of its people and providing services that are virtually unmatched in the educational sector. It is with this in mind that in 2016 the University of Gondar competed and won a grant that would shape inclusive education in the country forever.
In his opening remarks, the Academic v/p of the University of Gondar Dr. Kassahun Tegene spoke in length about the partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and the strides UoG is taking to become more inclusive. “The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is one of our great Programs and we are glad to have our new batch of Scholars for the 2019/2020 academic year,” said Dr. Kassahun.
The Academic v/p also brought up numerous initiatives the University is taking to better accommodate its newly admitted Scholars. The University of Gondar has done a great transformation regarding one of the greatest challenges for people with disabilities, which is its accessibility. An audit of dorms, entrances, classrooms, restrooms and numerous other facilities have been reconstructed to allow for better access and mobility for students with disabilities.
The Scholars Program at UoG is on pace to offer scholarship opportunities to 450 talented youth with disabilities and disadvantages. These individuals will one day become transformative leaders who will give back to their communities through numerous community service initiatives and plans that will allow them to make a sizable impact in some of today’s forgotten spaces.
Some of the information that was conveyed to the Scholars in the 2 day Induction training included talks on the values and relevant aspects of the program, the roles of the University units in the program, annual reports of the previous year, motivational speech on transformative leadership and community giveback and campus life at UoG.
What makes this year different though is the incorporation of our first batch of international Scholars. The Scholars Program at UoG aims to admit talented youth from East African Countries that include Eritrea, South Sudan, Djibouti and Somalia. Once they arrive to Gondar they will be given a full scholarship that will see them study in numerous study areas that will allow them to blossom into exceptional leaders for their respective countries.
Overall, this year in Undergraduate Programs, the Scholars Program has accepted 51 Scholars and in our Postgraduate Programs, it has accepted 13.
By Samuel Malede| Scholars Program Communications Coordinator
