Quarterly Report – FY19 Q1: Local Scholarship Program (HEI Public University Scholarships)

The program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is implemented by AMIDEAST. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2019, from October 1 to December 31, 2018, the program continued to monitor the scholarships of all students in Cohorts 1, 2, 3, and 4. The total number of students in the program remained at 583, with 101 students in Cohort 1, 131 students in Cohort 2, 245 students in Cohort 3, and 106 students in Cohort 4. Cohort 1 students continued their fourth academic year, completing their midterm exams and participating in English language training courses. Four students from Cohort 1 spent the fall 2018 semester on study abroad in the United States and returned in December. Cohort 2 students continued their third academic year, taking their midterm exams and participating in English enhancement courses. Eighteen students from Cohort 2 were on study abroad in the United States for the fall 2018 semester and returned in December. Cohort 3 students continued their second academic year, taking their midterm exams and participating in English coursework. Cohort 4 students, who are in their first academic year, continued to settle into university life and academics, with some students adjusting to being far from home. All Cohort 4 students took their midterm exams and participated in English coursework. The program also continued to implement various activities, including the TAG Committee, pre-academic activities, academic and general student monitoring, mentorship, enhancement activities, and private sector collaboration. The program faced some challenges, including the need to adjust to the new disability center component and the ongoing coordination with universities. The program's plans for the next quarter include continuing to monitor the scholarships of all students, implementing various activities, and addressing the challenges faced by the program. The program will also continue to evaluate its progress and make adjustments as needed to ensure the success of the program.