Quarterly Report – FY16 Q1: Local Scholarship Program (HEI Public University Scholarships)

The program aims to provide scholarships to students from Cairo and Ain Shams Universities to attend Microsoft Mentorship Training. During the reporting period from October 1, 2015, to December 31, 2015, the program continued to finalize the acceptance of students in universities and worked with students to ensure their adjustment on campus. A total of 107 students were enrolled in English-section and credit hour programs in five public universities. The program also started the Year 1 Enhancement Program for HEI scholarship students in six classes and matched HEI scholarship students with peer-to-peer coaching. The program partnered with universities to identify and train 14 HEI Academic Advisors to support students. Additionally, 25 career advisors were trained in a four-day workshop provided by Silatech and Microsoft. The program also conducted an 8-hour Microsoft-led training on mentorship for 63 students from Cairo, Ain Shams, and Assiut Universities and matched them with mentors from the private sector. The program held a launch event at Mansoura University on December 6, 2015, which received some press coverage. The event was attended by the President, Representatives from USAID and AMIDEAST, and scholarship students. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between AMIDEAST and Mansoura University. The program also finalized the Student Handbook, which contains all the policies and regulations as well as the forms for the students. The program received its second tax exemption, which covers all expected expenses for the remainder of the year. Private sector connections were initiated this quarter, with individuals and business associations. The curriculum for the academic year one enhancement program was completed, revised, and finalized this quarter using local and international consultants. Textbooks and materials were distributed to all students. Two types of advisors were trained this quarter—University Advisors who will be responsible for the scholarship students on campus and career advisors. Career advisors will provide career guidance to the students based on the students' Tamheed assessment results. The program scheduled a quarterly TAG meeting for December 8, but it was postponed until February due to the pressures of the holiday season and the year-end. AMIDEAST and subgrantee Etijah began to evaluate the last recruitment and selection cycle and to prepare the outreach plan for Cohort 2, with the aim of reaching an even wider audience of Thanaweyya Amma students in remote and marginalized areas. The program's key activities during this quarter included program preparation, TAG committee and private sector networking, outreach and scholarship announcement, and advisor training. The program's challenges during this quarter included limited recruitment period and time constraints. The program's plans for the next quarter include continuing to implement the program's activities and addressing the challenges faced during this quarter.