Virtual University of Uganda (VUU), Sub-Saharan Africa’s first private online-only university and a vanguard in the technological revolution in university education, has kicked off a campaign to raise USD 1 million in scholarships and bursaries for masters and postgraduate students in Africa.
The backdrop of this initiative according to the university is the reality that many parents and self-sponsored students face when they attempt to attain education — the lack of adequate funds to meet their educational needs and tuition requirements, even for postgraduate students; the aspiring business and community leaders of tomorrow.
The campaign was launched by the night’s Guest of Honor, Dr Patrick Bitature, Member Board of Trustees of VUU, on 23rd May 2019 at the Square in Industrial Area in Kampala.
In his address, Dr Bitature thanked the founders of Virtual University of Uganda and the Management for the Elimu Scholarship Fund initiative and for bringing affordable and quality education in Africa which has created tremendous impact in the social transformation of students not only in Africa but across the world.
“I encourage you to associate with VUU so that you may create a difference, through consistency and commitment to the job at 100% and not in piecemeal,” Dr Bitature urged guests, adding that, “Wealth is nothing without purpose.”
“Giving must create an impact that lasts and causes positive fundamental change, in the short, medium and long-term across different spheres of life,” he further explained.
The Elimu Scholarship Fund was started in early 2018 to offer masters and postgraduate education sponsorships to needy students that have a passion to learn, advance their careers and impact their communities. The fund has so far provided scholarships to over 76 students from across Africa.
Dr Ham-Mukasa Mulira, Chairman Council, VUU and former Minister of ICT and Senior Presidential Advisor on ICT thanked the University’s current partners and sponsors for the support rendered so far.
He reminded guests that those who receive a quality education may take that fact for granted, but there are millions of parents or students across Uganda and Africa that couldn’t afford a decent education.
“It is a sad reality and we have a responsibility to identify and indeed play a role in changing this state of affairs,” said Dr. Mulira adding that, “All of us here should be pleased to see that we can, indeed, play a role in shaping the future of our nation and continent especially because we are now well-positioned to make a difference in the lives of many students and the youth.
“We can do this through supporting education opportunities and impactful giving – thanks to the conducive learning environment we have today through virtual learning,” Dr Mulira remarked.
Speaking at the same event, the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Everd Maniple told guests that the University is aiming to raise USD 1 million (approx. 3.8 billion) to help meet the educational needs of thousands of Africans.
“As Sub-Saharan Africa’s first online-only university, we are cognizant of the fact that many postgraduate students are constrained by financial barriers that hinder their ambitious higher-learning education aspirations weakening the growth of competent professionals in the long run,” he said, adding, “That is why we established the Elimu Sponsorship Fund, to help address this challenge for higher-learning education for students in Africa.” He added that “The process of awarding scholarships, however, has shown that there are many students with great and genuine financial need. Unfortunately, the university on its own can only do so much.”
The programme is a scholarship fund intended to support needy youth in Africa, through financing their learning in higher education in the core fields of Oil & Gas Management, Public Health, International Development, ICT for Development, and Business Administration so that they may be the protagonists that their societies need in overcoming the challenges their communities face every day.
