Is it good tradition to welcome the new KAS-UMU scholarship holders into the midst of their new colleagues with a get-together of the scholarship network. This year’s event used this opportunity to lift the finger and to remind scholarship holders of their obligations and responsibilities as contributing shapers of society. Mathias Kamp initiated this discourse by his opening remarks which shed new light on the term “elite“ and which encouraged the fellows to re-think social discourse of privilege.
While the new scholars’ sophisticated expectations for the programme were welcomed warmly, Wakibu Bunnya, a current scholar, helped to put these expectations into perspective. By sharing his experiences with the scholarship programme, he inspired the attendees with touching stories of perseverance and dedication. Bringing these personal insights to a more general level, Charlotte Natukunda from the LéO Africa Institute reminded scholars of their constant responsibility to give back to society. This is includes, she stated, not only immediate surroundings and family members, but also the communities who shape our environment and who are connected to us through our common heritage. She particularly emphasised how scholars must acknowledge the chance the attend tertiary education as a viable contribution to a life-long learning process. Charlotte noted that this learning process does not culminate in the awarding of a degree but much rather in the ability to give back and contribute to our society as such.
