Over 800 students were awarded with bursaries last week to access higher education under the Higher Education Access Programme (HEAP), an initiative by the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) Uganda Chapter in collaboration with Mastercard Foundation. The move is aimed at increasing opportunities for young people who face barriers joining universities, colleges and technical institutions. Out of the 9,182 applicants, 818 young women and men from 65 districts such as Kasese, Wakiso, Rubirizi and Mbale, among others, were selected for the programme. The beneficiaries were sent off last week at closing ceremonies for this year’s orientation programme, held simultaneously at Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba (UPIK), Uganda Technical College (UTC) Lira and Mbale School of Hygiene before reporting to their respective institutions. The students will join higher education through two pathways, the Higher Education Access Certificate (HEAC), a bridging programme that was accredited by the National Council for Higher Education for learners who do not meet the requirements for direct university admission, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. “Through HEAC, they are bridged for 34 weeks, examined, and then they are able to join or go into the regular university program.” said Susan Opok Tumusiime, the executive director of FAWE Uganda. This comes at a time when the government is also seeking to expand access to higher education amid challenges that continue to prevent many young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, from progressing beyond secondary school.The post Over 800 secure bursaries for higher education access programme appeared first on The Observer Media Ltd.