Madhvani’s 50 year scholarships hit Shs600 million
Mr Henry Kyemba (2nd L) at the press conference that announced this year’s round of scholarships. Courtesy Photo
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Counting among the ranks of promising young people it has helped realise their dreams prominent names like retired Supreme Court Judge Professor George Kanyeihamba, senior environment specialist Edward Nantamu, senior quantity surveyor Philly Mpata among many others, the Madhvani Foundation, founded at the same time Uganda gained independence will mark this year on a new high, hitting Shs600million in scholarship offers.
Counting among the ranks of promising young people it has helped realise their dreams prominent names like retired Supreme Court Judge Professor George Kanyeihamba, senior environment specialist Edward Nantamu, senior quantity surveyor Philly Mpata among many others, the Madhvani Foundation, founded at the same time Uganda gained independence will mark this year on a new high, hitting Shs600million in scholarship offers.
Founded in the year Uganda got independence as a philanthropic arm of the extensive Madhvani family enterprises, the foundation announced last week this year’s round of scholarship openings for bright but disadvantaged Ugandan children.
At a press conference held at the Kampala Sheraton Hotel last week, Mr Henry Kyemba, Chairman Scholarship committee said that the Madhvani Foundation has achieved a milestone through supporting Ugandan students for 50 years.
Mr Kyemba revealed that over the years, the foundation has enabled 1200 students achieve an education as one of the major achievements of the jubilee.
The foundation has also over seen the establishment of an alumni association to bring together all the former beneficiaries as well as launching the Madhvani Foundation newsletter.
“It is with this milestone in mind that the board of the foundation has set aside Shs600 million this year to benefit Ugandan students in various universities across the country. Not only does this make it the largest amount ever donated by the foundation but also the largest by any private sector donor,” he said.
Mr Kyemba announced that this year’s application process had been opened for all eligible students.
“The selection process will be transparent and all applications will be handled on an individual and unique basis. The closing date for submission of completed forms is the 31st of May 2012,” he noted.
Speaking at the same event, Mr Jonathan Muwaganya, a former beneficiary, now a state attorney with the Directorate of Public Prosecutions and Chairman of the Alumni Association said that the foundation has equipped them with the necessary requirements to change society. He vowed to work together with the other beneficiaries to improve the country’s wellbeing.
Mr. Kyemba reminded all the potential applicants for undergraduate courses that the scholarships would only be available to those students who have finished their first year of study and have a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.2 points with no retakes done.
The Madhvani Foundation was established in 1962 on the eve of Uganda independence to honour the vision of the late Muljibhai Prabhudas Madhvani, founder of the Madhvani group. In 2003 the Board set up the University education trust with the principal objective being the promotion of scientific and technical education for the betterment of all Ugandans. The trust has since then educated over 1,200 university students and provided scholarships worth over 3 Billion Uganda Shillings. At least Shs600 million scholarships have been offered potential beneficiaries this year.
