By Shibah Nakakande
The Higher Education Students’ Financing Board (HESFB) released a list of students who acquired loan schemes from government to pursue science and technology courses for the Academic Year 2024/2025.
This initiative started in 2014 and it has supported over 10,000 students in different Universities across the country. 1,838 students are to be funded with UGX . 7.25 billion representing 27.6% of all applicants , there has been an increase in the success of female students to acquiring these loans.
Minister of State for Higher Education Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo made the announcement and applauded the students for reaching this level in their education journey . For many to access higher education , he remarked this as an important step .
“ These fields are vital” , said Dr. J.C Muyingo as he advised the loans beneficiaries to take this opportunity seriously with their studies because they have to pay back as soon as they start working because they shall be used to cater for other beneficiaries.
Science and Technology contribute to the economic development and needs of a Country noted Dr. J C Muyingo affirming the government’s commitment to increase securing additional funding to secure even more loans fir students.
According to the HESFB loans report , there was an increase in applicants from 1,921 to 6,661 applications that were received by the board this year . Of these applications , 3,781 successfully were accepted representing 27.6% .
The Executive Director Michael Wanyama said that this year a three-tier selection process was used for students to get loan placements based on socio- economic vulnerability, regional balance and district quotas . Districts like Amudat , Buvuma and Kotido which historically had low participation rates , saw students received loans.
With the use of online applications for students , this is a milestone for the Board because students country wide have a chance to apply for student loan schemes with only devices that have access to Internet.
The permanent Secretary Ministry of Education and Sports Katty Lamaro affirmed the tremendous role played by the government loan schemes provides to students , it bridges the gap by other successful government Education projects such as Universal Primary Education ( UPE )and Universal Secondary Education ( USE ).