Makerere University Mastercard Foundation Scholars tipped on leadership and career development

Over 250 students on the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme at Makerere University are participating in the Summer Leadership Camp running from 25^th to 29^th June 2017 at Katomi Kingdom Resort Hotel.

The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu officially opened the 3^rd Annual Summer Leadership Camp 2017 under the theme: Positioning the scholars for leadership, career and commitment for change.

Addressing participants at the official opening ceremony, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu applauded the Mastercard Foundation for their tremendous efforts in not only educating the African child, but also empowering the child to become an inspired African leader of the next generation.

“On behalf of Management and Makerere University community, I extend sincere appreciation to the Mastercard Foundation Program for this remarkable initiative that offers Scholars with extra skills to enable them succeed in the competitive world they live. As Makerere University, we are committed to supporting The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program to be able to achieve both the vision and mission of Makerere University and that of The MasterCard Foundation,” he remarkably said.

Prof. Ddumba urged students to take the camp seriously and actively participate in the activities. He encouraged students to always have a point of focus in their life that will help them to meet the expectations of their funders.

 “You are being trained to be the next generation of achievers and leaders, who will be committed to service in your community, country and even continent. My advice to you Scholars, is: Be grateful every day for having received this comprehensive scholarship that gives you such extra trainings to enable succeed in life,” said the Vice Chancellor.

The Vice Chancellor thanked Dr. Florence Nakayiwa and her team for organizing a wonderful and successful camp that was going to practically benefit the scholars in both their academic and career life.

According to the Coordinator of Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University Dr. Florence Nakayiwa, the third Summer Leadership Camp is aimed at equipping scholars with the requisite knowledge, skills and attitudes to have a competitive edge in the world of work. The scholars will enhance their leadership abilities, critical thinking and ccommunication skills, team work, time management as well as commitment to transform or change their communities, country and continent.

“We are focusing at providing relevant and quality information to the Scholars to make informative decisions on further education, employment and entrepreneurship. All these are very good skills, if put in practice, they will give scholars a leverage over their peers and enable them to succeed in this competitive world,” she said.

During the camp facilitated by reputable trainers from Full Bridge, the  Mastercard Foundation Scholars together with the Mentors and Project Implementation Team developed norms that would guide their interaction and flow of events during the leadership camp. The norms included: Time management, being present in body and mind, creating new friends, a friendly interaction among scholars, considering a descent dress code, wearing nametags and among other.

One of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Ms. Tushaba Winnie, thanked Mastercard Foundation Program for the opportunity they granted African children to receive the best education ever. Recapping on the day’s program, Tushaba informed the Vice Chancellor and the entire congregation that the Summer Leadership Camp shall always remain the best incubation and mind setting activity to the scholars.

“We have learnt a lot. We have been able to relax our minds through different interesting activities. These are some of the days we will always remember,” she said amidst applause from other Scholars.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars also appreciated the learning approach in a relaxed style organized in form of families/households with coaches and mentors saying, this enhanced team work, bonding and ignited their creative potential.

The former Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. George Mondo Kagonyera is expected to close the workshop on 29^th June 2017 with an awarding ceremony.

Mr. John Osuna, the Coordinator of the Summer Leadership Camp said scholars are expected to participate in different trainings and activity engagements facilitated by reputable trainers from Full Bridge.

 “At the end of the camp, scholars would have gained knowledge on how to manage time and stress, be able to apply design thinking in their life as well as learning tactical ways of engaging with the community,” he said.

Article: Mak News Reporters