The eastern region has topped the list of the recipients for the Madhvani Foundation 2008/2009 Scholarships.

Mr. Henry Kyemba, the Chairman of the Scholarships Committee, disclosed this to Daily Monitor last week. He said: “All parts of the country received scholarships but the eastern region led with 47, the highest, while the west had 40 and the north 36.”
Mr. Kyemba added that the north registered the biggest increase, one he attributed to the improved security situation in the region which has resulted in increased university enrollment.

159 scholarships worth Shs460 million have been awarded to university students who applied for funding from the Madhvani Foundation. The Chairman of the Madhvani Foundation Mr. Sam Rutega said “This has been the most competitive year so far, the committee reviewed over 1,100 applications and interviewed 237 candidates most of which had very strong cases for support based on their grades and financial needs.”

He continued: “145 scholarships went to undergraduate students and 14 to post-graduates, the majority of which are in the fields of ICT, Business Management, Commerce, Engineering and Agriculture though other courses were also awarded.”

Females Increase

Demographically, the ratio of female to male awardees also increased significantly. Of the 159 beneficiaries, 63 were female, a trend which he hoped would continue.
Mr. Rutega thanked the members of the scholarships committee for successfully finalizing the selection process and he congratulated all the candidates that were awarded scholarships.
He encouraged prospective students who are seeking funding to apply in the next academic year 2009/2010.

In 2003, the company’s Board set up the education trust with the principal objective being the promotion of scientific and technical educational for the betterment of the people of Uganda.
Since 2003 over Shs 1b has been donated by the trust to University students.