Journey to Inclusion: Lessons Learned from the scholars Program at the University of Gondar
The scholars Program at University of Gondar (UoG), launched in 2017, is a collaborative, comprehensive program aimed at creating access to inclusive, quality higher education for talented but disadvantaged youth with disabilities and young women. Over a period of 10 years, the Program will give full academic, social, and transitional support to 450 Scholars (290 at undergraduate and 160 at graduate level) pursuing programs in medicine, health and social sciences, law and education, among others. All undergraduate Scholars are targeted to be Scholars with disabilities.
A process evaluation of the Program conducted in 2021 examined progress made in implementation; identifying strengths and limitations, and drawing lessons to guide program adaptations moving forward. At the time of the evaluation, 122 Scholars had been enrolled by the Scholars Program, of whom 111 Scholars with disabilities and 11 young women without disabilities. The majority of the Scholars with disabilities have visual impairment (69), 34 have physical impairment and 8 have hearing impairment; 58% of all Scholars enrolled in the Scholars Program are young women.
This learning brief draws insights from the process evaluation in relation to integrating disability inclusion in all phases of the Scholars Program (Recruit, Educate, Prepare and Transition) and highlights lessons on institutional change and University of Gondar’s experience, to inform program design at other scholars Program partner institutions.
