YPMP alumni soar with prestigious scholarships out of Uganda
Three members of the Young Professional Mentorship Program (YPMP) have been awarded incredible opportunities to further their education at esteemed universities around the world. These prestigious scholarships mark significant steps forward in their professional development and overall growth. These alumni include; Pech Lim Gatluak. (YPMP2023), Olivia Brenda Nassiwa (YPMP 2020) and Destiny Gladys Chaiga (YPMP2020) who continue to contribute to the program in different capacities including serving as program mentors.
Olivia Brendah Nassiwa; shaping young minds
Olivia, a YPMP 2020 alumna and current program mentor (2023 and 2024) is passionate about guiding mentees in their professional growth journey in the program. In 2023, her dedication in shaping education policy earned her a fully funded Ph.D. in School Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania in the United State of America. This aligns perfectly with her dream of being a school psychologist and is equipping her to play a critical role in the educational systems where she will support the academic achievement, social-emotional development, and overall well-being of students. She is also training to assess and address students’ learning and behavioral challenges, provide counselling and mental health services, collaborate with teachers and parents to create effective interventions, and help create a positive and inclusive school environment.
As a school psychologist, Olivia also conducts assessments to identify learning disabilities, developmental delays, and emotional disturbances, working to ensure that all students have the opportunity to thrive in their educational journey. “My expertise lies in understanding the complex interactions between a student’s cognitive, emotional, and social functioning to promote success in school and beyond.” Olivia states. This five year PhD scholarship will further empower her to fulfil her passion for children’s education.
Pech Lim Gatluak.; an advocate for transformation through technology
Lim is a YPMP 2023 graduate and passionate transformative community leader. He is committed to human rights advocacy and envisions a world empowered by innovative technology where youth & women can be supported to influence change within diverse societies. This dedication is evident in his co-founding of the Youth Action for Community Transformation , a refugee youth led organization supporting co-existence between refugees and host communities in Rhino camp, WestNile region of Uganda.
In April 2024, Lim joined the United States International University Africa in Nairobi Kenya, as a Mastercard Foundation scholar to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering. This competitive scholarship placed him among 61 scholars in the Foundation’s 8th Cohort 8 of change maker being nurtured as transformative leaders for the African Continent. He shared his excitement when he reached Nairobi saying “I am excited about the scholarship because it’s will help uncover my academic goals, strengthen my leadership & entrepreneurship skills that will promote meaningful life purpose which in turn contribute, inspire and motivate young people across Africa”.
Destiny Gladys Chaiga; expanding horizons in Strategic Communication
Destiny is a pioneer member of the YPMP inaugural class (2020), exemplifies exceptional leadership and volunteering skills. She continues to support YPMP as a mentor and Director Communications while pursuing her Master’s of Arts in Strategic Communication from Uganda Christian University.
Through a partnership between UCU and NLA University College Norway, Destiny in January 2024 secured a one – semester study exchange program in Masters of Global Journalism in Norway. She is the only UCU student participating in the spring semester funded by the Norwegian Programme for Capacity Development in Higher Education and Research for Development (NORHED) which aims to strengthen the capacity of higher education institutions in developing countries to produce higher-quality graduates, more and higher-quality research, and more inclusive higher education. “This exchange program is broadening my understanding about different issues in journalism like media ethics, public service broadcasting, global media landscape and how all these components contribute to creating given perceptions.” Destiny narrated.
YPMP has been a stepping stone for its mentees to soar higher. The Chief Mentor and Patron Agnes Igoye had this to say about the three. “Since founding the YPMP Program in 2020, It’s been and still is such a privilege mentoring young professionals and students- a joy watching them grow and flourish. Olivia, Destiny, Pech are true examples of what happens when young people are supported and given access to opportunities. Not only are they achieving dreams that they set out to achieve at the beginning of their YPMP Mentorship journey but are passing on the knowledge and skills by mentoring others”
Earning the above scholarships will equip these YPMP alumni for solution-driven leadership across different spheres of influence, from communities to national and international levels. We eagerly anticipate the positive impact their professional and volunteer work will have on the lives of many.
