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Five Ugandan students are among 35 beneficiaries from six East African Community (EAC) member states who won scholarships to pursue undergraduate degrees sponsored by Kyungdong University in South Korea, and the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA). After the initial two years, the university will assist students in finding jobs to support themselves during their remaining two years of study. The scholarships aim to promote academic excellence and gender representation, with 40% of the awardees being female.

Five Ugandan students are among the 35 from six East African Community (EAC) member states that won scholarships to pursue undergraduate degrees sponsored by Kyungdong University South Korea and the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), which was founded by EAC.

The students are from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. Those from Uganda are Lamson Tusiimire, Majorine Najjuuko, Assumpta Nalukelenge, Harry Kungonza, Innocent Roy Rwotngeyo.

This is the fourth cohort to benefit from the program and 975 students had applied. The applications originated from the seven partner states of the EAC. The applicants were subjected to a rigorous selection process involving pre-admission into the university and scholarship assessment. They later did oral interviews conducted virtually by Kyundong University.

To apply, a student had to be a citizen and resident of any of the countries, plus the Democratic Republic of Congo and completed pre-university level of education in the home country in 2021 or 2022.

The student also needed excellent academic performance records with a minimum of ‘B’ in all Mathematics and English modules. Selected applicants were required to present a minimum of IELTS 5.5 or IBT 71 of English proficiency prior to their final admission to KDU Global and they had to be no older than 22 years of age.

14 of the 35 awardees are female representing 40% gender representation. The students will pursue their studies in selected thematic areas of Smart Computing, Hotel Management and Business Administration.

Since the inception of the Programme in 2019, 84 scholarships have been awarded. The scholarship is made possible through funds granted to IUCEA by the partner states and direct support by KDU- Global South Korea.

In the amended MoU between IUCEA-KDU, Kyungdong University will provide accommodation to students for two years and after the first two years, Kyungdong University will assist students to find jobs and pay for themselves for the remaining two years. IUCEA will facilitate students with insurance, and their travel back to their home countries after the first two years and going back to resume studies for the remaining two years.