University students in their second year who cannot afford tuition may apply for financial help from the Madhvani Education Foundation. The Foundation has Shs 450 million to pay tuition for deserving students in local universities during the 2008/2009 academic year. The money is mainly for undergraduate students. A few postgraduate students may also be considered.

The Madhvani Foundation is a charitable trust which was established in 1962. In 2003, the board of trustees created a scholarship committee that introduced scholarships to students who have excelled in academics but without adequate financial support.

“Since 2003, our scholarship programme has been expanding and we are continuing to promote scientific and technological education for the betterment of Uganda because the scheme mainly targets Ugandan students who are studying in Ugandan universities,” said Sam Rutega, the chairman of the Foundation. He spoke at the launch of this year’s programme on May 6.

“The number of applicants continues to grow and since 2003 when the scholarship programme was instituted, 448 students have benefited from the programme and we expect the number to grow,” Rutega said. The scheme is exclusively for Ugandans and covers only tuition fee for selected students who must have completed their first year an eligible discipline in science and engineering. Those interested must apply before the end of May.