Quarterly Report – FY16 Q2: Local Scholarship Program (HEI Public University Scholarships)

However, some students received warnings due to grades below 2.0/Good. Guest speakers visited students, and three universities have established mentorship programs. Students completed 2 hours of enhancement training over the mid-year break and continued taking English classes. Universities and faculties now have advisors. Outreach and recruitment for Cohort 2 began in all governorates, and private sector outreach continued to engage them in the program. AMIDEAST submitted an agreement modification to USAID for approval. The agreement included a budget and program description. Cohort 1 Home Governorates Alexandria 3 Assiut 4 Aswan 2 Beheira 1 Beni Suef 0 Cairo 4 Dakahlia 2 Damietta 1 Fayoum 0 Gharbia 1 Giza 3 Ismailia 2 K. El Sheikh 1 Luxor 0 Matrouh 1 Menofeya 0 Minya 1 New Valley 0 N. Sinai 0 Port Said 1 Qalyobia 1 Qena 0 Red Sea 0 Sharkia 0 Sohag 1 South Sinai 0 Suez 0 Total 38 Male 24 Female 14 Quarterly Highlights Cohort 1 students completed their first semester, and most are adjusting well to university life. Cohort 1 students completed 44 hours of academic skills, 8 hours of business skills, 8 hours of character development, and 16 hours of leadership training. Cohort 1 students took the Leadership Practices Inventory, and scholarship students in three universities were matched with mentors and started mentorship activities. Eight scholarship students ranked in the top five students in their faculty in the first semester. Task 1: Program Preparation Sub-grantees and Subcontractors Microsoft continued supporting the HEI program, although the MOU is still in progress. AMIDEAST signed a contract with Silatech regarding the HEI scholarship program. There were meetings with Etijah to ensure sufficient time for starting recruitment activities. The cost procedures and responsibilities of the subcontractor were reiterated. Ministry of Higher Education and Universities A meeting was held with the new Ain Shams University President and the program coordinator. AMIDEAST introduced the scholarship program and concerns about scholars facing issues accessing midterm results or issuing second-semester tuition fees. The president assigned an advisor for the students and provided a space for the enhancement program. Task 2: TAG Committee and Private Sector Networking The quarterly TAG meeting was held on February 10 at AMIDEAST, Cairo. The meeting was attended by USAID, AMIDEAST, and representatives from the private sector, including Dakahlia Group/Al Anani Foundation, AvidBeam, and Americana. The meeting discussed the needs of the labor market and universities, as well as models for sustainable partnerships between the private sector and universities. Task 3: Outreach and Scholarship Announcement Communications with Etijah, the subcontractor for recruitment, began early this year to allow enough time for each stage of announcement and recruitment. The outreach aimed to provide a comprehensive and early announcement and recruitment process. Task 4: Pre-Academic Activities The pre-academic activities for Cohort 2 began in January, with students attending orientation and academic orientation. The activities included academic skills training, English language training, and character development training. Task 5: Faculty Capacity Building Faculty capacity building activities for Cohort 2 began in January, with faculty members attending training sessions on academic skills, English language, and character development. The activities aimed to enhance faculty capacity and improve the quality of academic programs. Task 6: Monitoring and Evaluation Monitoring and evaluation activities for Cohort 1 began in January, with data collection and data analysis. The activities aimed to assess the impact of the program and identify areas for improvement. Task 7: Financial Management Financial management activities for Cohort 1 began in January, with budgeting, budget monitoring, and financial reporting. The activities aimed to ensure effective financial management and accountability. The TAG committee meeting was held on February 10, with representatives from USAID, AMIDEAST, and the private sector. The meeting discussed the needs of the labor market and universities, as well as models for sustainable partnerships between the private sector and universities. Communications with Etijah, the subcontractor for recruitment, began early this year