Education Uganda Project #63456

Empower Women in Higher Education

by Professors Without Borders

Project Report | Feb 28, 2025
Our Second Cohort Launches Soon

By Caroline Varin | Fellowship Co-host and CEO of Prowibo

Our second cohort launches soon

I am delighted to share with you that the Women in Higher Education (WiHE) Fellowship will continue! Thanks to the enthusiasm and dedication of our first cohort, we are launching a second cohort on International Women’s Day – 8th March.

Applications will open that day, and the new Fellows will begin their journey in July.

Feedback from our Fellows

A Truly Enriching Experience
"The Fellowship program has been a truly enriching experience, allowing me to grow both personally and professionally. Engaging with seasoned researchers has provided invaluable insights into advanced research methodologies and practical applications in my field, particularly within the context of African higher education. The diversity within the Fellowship community has been especially rewarding, as it brings together unique perspectives and allows for collaborative learning that extends beyond disciplinary boundaries."

Expanding Perspectives
"The Fellowship has broaden[ed] my perspective of networking and supporting women in higher education in this challenging times [sic]."
"It has expanded my worldview. I find that I can articulate higher education and technology in learning issues more than before."

Inspiring Speakers & Knowledge Exchange
"I just enjoyed the great speakers you invite for our sessions."
"Some of your speakers truly add value for us as attendees. For example, the woman who gave the talk on public speaking had a real impact on my work."
"Listening to speakers with [a] wealth of experience sharing their experiences and insight into their field of expertise… is very inspiring and motivating."
"The workshop sessions we have had so far are very enlightening. I have learnt quite a lot."

Building Confidence & Community
"I have lea[r]nt to believe in myself. I am more bolder [sic] and confident sharing my knowledge and competencies."
"Getting [to] access e-meeting people I would have never known."
"I like that this Fellowship exists. It's so valuable to meet professors from all over the world and learn that we have many similar opportunities and challenges."

A Lasting Impact
"I am glad I got to meet so many female achievers from all around the world. I still have a faith that this program will benefit me in some manner in [the] long run."
"The Fellowship has reinforced my commitment to bridging academic research with practical solutions and inspired me to make an even greater impact within my area of specialization."

The Future of the WiHE Fellowship

Our first cohort continues until their final meeting in April, but their engagement with the WiHE community will last a lifetime. Seeing their passion and commitment has been truly inspiring—I had not realised until I saw their responses just how much of an impact we made. This is the best evidence that our project was both needed and meaningful.

Professors Without Borders will continue to support the WiHE Fellowship while empowering the new committee to lead it. We are thrilled that 11 Fellows have volunteered to guide the programme, including a Chair, Fundraising, Recruitment, and Conference Coordinators, as well as an incredible set of mentors. This is more than I had ever expected, and it fills me with optimism for the future.

I hope you will share my happiness at this good news and help us spread the word as we continue to build a community of ongoing support that will help uplift women working in the higher education sector.

Thank you so much for supporting this great initiative.

Links:

Applications opening shortly, please share with those interested

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Nov 1, 2024
Update on the Women in Higher Education Fellowship

By Caroline Varin | Fellowship Co-host and CEO of Prowibo

Summary
The Women in Higher Education Fellowship has seen significant growth and impact since its inception, offering a robust platform for women in academia to gain confidence, enhance their skills, and advance in their careers. The Fellowship has been carefully curated to address the unique challenges women face in higher education, providing them with tools, resources, and a supportive network to help them succeed.

Workshops and Empowerment Initiatives
The Fellowship features monthly workshops focused on practical skills and personal empowerment. Past sessions have included workshops on safe marketing and personal branding—crucial for establishing a professional presence; networking—aimed at building valuable connections across disciplines; mentoring—designed to foster meaningful relationships with experienced mentors; and public speaking, which has been especially popular, helping participants present their research and ideas confidently in any setting. November’s session will cover leadership and conflict management, equipping fellows with strategies to lead teams effectively and navigate challenges constructively.

Growth of the Cohort
Interest in the Fellowship has grown steadily, with a notable increase in participation. Many of our workshop presenters have become active participants, contributing their expertise and further enriching the learning environment. This has brought our current cohort size to just under 50 members, fostering a diverse community of women from various academic disciplines who share a commitment to mutual empowerment and professional development.

Outlook
With the fellowship’s ongoing expansion and positive feedback from participants, the Fellowship is set to continue its momentum, evolving to meet the needs of women in higher education. The inclusion of more diverse workshops and the increasing number of committed members highlight a thriving network dedicated to advancing women in academia.

Thank you for your contribtution to this programme.

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Jul 4, 2024
Women in Higher Education Fellowship Launches Tomorrow

By Caroline Varin | Fellowship Co-host and CEO of Prowibo

We are delighted to share some fantastic news about our Women in Higher Education Fellowship, which has been made possible thanks to your generous support.

Applicants from around the world (literally!)

We received an overwhelming 111 applications for our first cohort. After a thorough selection process, we are thrilled to announce that we have accepted 30 outstanding Fellows from a diverse range of countries: the UK, USA, Bahrain, Brunei, Cameroon, Canada, India, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa, Spain, and Zimbabwe. This global representation reflects our deep commitment to supporting a diverse cohort of women from all types of backgrounds. The level of interest we received confirmed there is an urgent need to create support and training networks for women in higher education.

Confirmed speakers

We have secured some wonderful speakers for our event. The Fellowship will kick off on 5 July, with our first speaker Angie Milan taking the stage in August to start us off with personal branding and marketing. We have monthly meetings with topics determined by our panel of experts to help support women in the areas most pressing to them.

Thinking ahead

We continue to receive daily inquiries and contacts regarding the Fellowship, a testament to the interest in a supportive community of female higher education professionals. It's never too early to start planning ahead.To ensure that no potential Fellows are overlooked, all applicants who were not selected for the first cohort have been offered a place on our waitlist. We will be reviewing the waitlist and reaching out with more information to them later in the year.

Thank you

Your contributions have been instrumental in enabling us to start building our Fellowship programme. Our mission is to support women to reach their potential and help them to navigate structural obstacles in higher education. We cannot thank you enough for your continued support and belief.

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