Ambassador wants more women to apply for US scholarships
The US ambassador to Uganda H E Deborah Malac speaking at Makerere during the 70th Anniversary of the Fulbright programme in Academic excellence in Uganda. The ambassador urged women to apply into the programme. PHOTO BY RACHEL MABALA
What you need to know:
- The scholarship program was started in 1946, when then USA President Harry Truman signed legislation introduced by Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, creating the Fulbright Program. The Program has made awards to more than 370,000 “Fulbrighters” worldwide since its inception.
KAMPALA. US ambassador Deborah Malac has asked more Ugandan women to apply for the Fulbright scholarships saying they are under represented on the programme.
Speaking at the 70th anniversary of the Fulbright programme at Makerere University on Friday evening, the ambassador said she is optimistic the programme will contribute towards addressing major global challenges ranging from sustainable energy to climate change, public health and food security.
“For those of you who have not been Fulbright scholars or who have not applied for the programme, we encourage you to consider applying. Ugandan women are underrepresented on the programme and I hope more women will apply,” Ms Malac said.
The scholarship programme was started in 1946, when then US President Harry Truman signed a legislation introduced by Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, creating the Fulbright Programme. The programme has made awards to more than 370,000 “Fulbrighters” worldwide since its inception. Its alumni include 33 current or former heads of state or government, 54 Nobel Laureates, 82 Pulitzer Prize winners, 29 MacArthur Foundation Fellows, 16 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients, and thousands of leaders across the private, public and non-profit sectors.
In Uganda, late Prof Senteza Kajubi was the first to win the scholarship in 1952 to study an MSc in Geography at the University of Chicago, USA. Other prominent Fulbright alumni include Mr Olara Otunnu, Makerere University deputy vice chancellor (academics) Prof Ernest Okello Ogwang, and Kabale University vice chancellor Prof Joy Kwesiga.
Ms Malac said 399 Ugandans have been awarded scholarships to study or conduct research in the USA and more than 200 US citizens awarded funds to conduct research in Uganda.
She said the programme is more than academic exchanges and it is about people meeting people.
“In this age of instant communication and digital media, we sometimes overlook the importance and value of people-to-people and face- to-face exchanges but it’s people who must continue to work together towards mutual understanding and cooperation,” Ms Malac said.
Commending the programme, Makerere vice chancellor Prof Ddumba said: “We have benefited in the area of staff development, joint research, scholarships as well as staff and student exchanges.”
