Three outstanding students from Uganda and Belize are AV俱乐部鈥檚 newest Queen Elizabeth Scholars. Kalene Eck, Annet Namubiru and Ivan Okello will spend the next 16-20 months at AV俱乐部 completing their graduate studies.
The Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship Program is a national collaborative initiative that operates through the Rideau Hall Foundation, Community Foundations of Canada and Universities Canada. Its goal is to foster a dynamic community of young global leaders who share knowledge, exchange ideas and collaborate on meaningful initiatives through cross-cultural exchanges.
AV俱乐部鈥檚 participation in the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship program began in the summer of 2015, and will continue until the autumn of 2018. In addition to the international opportunities offered to AV俱乐部 students, the university also welcomes graduate students from Commonwealth countries.
Six scholarships are available to students from Commonwealth countries over the course of the project 鈥� three for students from Uganda, and three for students from the Caribbean. Each scholarship funds a full master鈥檚 degree at AV俱乐部.
Call it fate
Kalene Eck is a master鈥檚 student in Marine Management. Originally from Belize, Kalene completed her undergraduate degree in environmental science at Galen University and the University of Indianapolis. After graduating in 2013, she spent three years working at the Belize Fisheries Department as a data manager.
鈥淚 heard about the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Program from a colleague at the Belize Fisheries Department where the scholarship and program of study was advertised,鈥� says Kalene. 鈥淚 applied and the rest is history!鈥�
When looking at different options, it was the Masters of Marine Management program that really stood out to Kalene. 鈥淚t was exactly what I wanted to learn, when I wanted to learn it,鈥� says Kalene. 鈥淎fter doing more research on AV俱乐部, its high standard of learning and historic location, I knew immediately that this was the choice for me.鈥�
According to Kalene, her experience at AV俱乐部 has been like no other. Being in a different country and learning the history of Halifax and the university has made her feel proud to be part of the Dal family.
鈥淚鈥檓 extremely grateful and honoured that I was chosen to represent Belize and the Caribbean through this scholarship program,鈥� says Kalene. 鈥淚 could possibly call it fate, but it鈥檚 almost as if AV俱乐部 presented itself at the right time in my life providing me with the next step and direction that I wanted to take in my career.鈥� 聽
Making connections
Annet Namubiru is pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in International Development Studies. Originally from Kampala, Uganda, Annet鈥檚 undergraduate degree is from Makerere University. When asked what made her select AV俱乐部 for her graduate studies, her response was 鈥淚t鈥檚 simple 鈥� because of the university鈥檚 respect for diversity.鈥�
Annet arrived in Halifax on September 20 and has 鈥渓oved every minute鈥� of her time here.
After completing her degree, Annet plans to return home and share what she鈥檚 learned abroad.
鈥淚 plan to make connections and seek funding to set up piggery projects that will employ young fistula women between ages 14 and 20,鈥� says Annet.
Fistula is a condition that most commonly occurs among women who live in low-resource countries, who give birth without access to medical help. Women with this condition are often rejected by their husbands and forced out of their villages.
鈥淢y dream job is to help out these survivors at a hospital in a non-medical department,鈥� says Annet.
A life-changing experience
Ivan Okello is a master鈥檚 student in the International Development Studies program at Dal. Also from Kampala, Uganda, Ivan has a bachelor鈥檚 degree in social science with a major in gender studies and a minor in social administration from Makerere University.
After seeing an advertisement posted on a bulletin board at Makerere and gathering some information about AV俱乐部, he decided to apply for the scholarship program.
鈥淎V俱乐部 stood out because of its rich multicultural diversity, high calibre of professors and its great location in the heart of Halifax,鈥� says Ivan. 鈥淢y interactions with Dal representatives gave me great insights about the university.鈥�
Arriving in Halifax on August 26, Ivan has thoroughly enjoyed his time here so far. 鈥淎t first I was scared leaving my family in Uganda and moving alone, but I鈥檝e made really great friends already,鈥� says Ivan. 鈥淭he Maritimes is such a beautiful place to explore 鈥� this is truly a life-changing experience for me.鈥�
Sharing experiences
Kalene, Annet and Ivan recently had the opportunity to attend an annual QES Networking event with other incoming and outgoing QE scholars. 聽
The reception was held on November 24, and was hosted by His Honour Brigadier-General The Honourable J.J. Grant, CMM, ONS, CD (Ret'd), Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, at Government House. It was the first time that the annual QES event has been held at this location.
Representatives from Universities Canada, AV俱乐部, Saint Mary鈥檚 and disapora community members (from Tanzania, Uganda and Jamaica, in particular) were also in attendance to celebrate the work being done by the scholars.
鈥淭he Queen Elizabeth Scholarship program aims to activate a dynamic community of young global leaders across Canada and around the world,鈥� says Jeanne Gallagher, manager, international scholarships at Universities Canada. 鈥淗aving had the chance already to hear about what these scholars are doing and what they have done 鈥� it is nothing less than awe inspiring.鈥�
Five scholars, including Ivan, had the opportunity to speak to the crowd about their experiences in the program.
鈥淏eing provided with the opportunity to work with groups of students with different backgrounds and experiences has helped inform my knowledge of how communities evolve, and how important it is to have a cohesive and unified approach to addressing problems they might have,鈥� says Ivan.
Presentations outlining the work of the scholars were also set up around the room. His Honour had the opportunity to view each presentation, and spent time speaking with the scholars individually.
The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship program is made possible with financial support from the Government of Canada, provincial governments and the private sector. You can learn more about the program online.