IUCEA Conducts Regional University Assessments for the EAC Scholarship Programme
19 June 2026, Kampala-The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) has concluded a series of institutional assessment visits to universities across Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda between 15 and 18 June 2026 as part of preparations for the expansion of the EAC Scholarship Programme.
The assessment visits followed an open call issued by IUCEA to eligible higher education institutions across the East African Community to express interest in participating in the EAC Scholarship Programme. Before the visits, IUCEA conducted an eligibility assessment and detailed technical evaluation of applications received from 37 member universities across the Region, resulting in the shortlisting of 22 institutions for further evaluation through on-site assessments.
The visits were undertaken to assess the capacity and suitability of the shortlisted higher education institutions to host future beneficiaries of Phase II of the EAC Scholarship Programme, which is supported by a EUR 9 million grant from the Federal Republic of Germany. The assessment evaluated the universities’ capacity to host scholarship beneficiaries, focusing on academic and research support, facilities, student welfare, grievance mechanisms and administrative arrangements for successful completion
The EAC Scholarship Programme aims to strengthen regional integration through student mobility, improve access to quality higher education and regional exposure, and develop a skilled workforce capable of contributing to the socio-economic transformation of the East African Community.
In Kenya, the assessment covered Murang’a University of Technology, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Strathmore University, Egerton University, United States International University-Africa, Daystar University, KCA University, Kibabii University, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Chuka University, and Kabarak University.
In Rwanda, visits were conducted at the University of Rwanda and Institut Supérieur d’Enseignement de Ruhengeri.
In Tanzania, the Visited Institutions are Dar es Salaam University College of Education, the Eastern Africa Statistical Training Centre, the University of Dar es Salaam, the Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology, the University of Dodoma, and Sokoine University of Agriculture.
In Uganda, the exercise included Busitema University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and Nkumba University.
The exercise also provided an opportunity to strengthen collaboration between IUCEA and participating institutions in advancing the objectives of the East African Common Higher Education Area.
The findings from the assessments will inform the selection of host institutions for future cohorts of the EAC Scholarship Programme and contribute to ensuring that scholars benefit from high-quality learning environments that support academic success, innovation, and regional integration.
The expansion of the EAC Scholarship Programme reflects IUCEA’s continued commitment to enhancing access to quality higher education, promoting academic mobility, and strengthening regional cooperation among universities in the East African Community. Through partnerships with universities, Partner States, development partners, and other stakeholders, IUCEA remains dedicated to building the human capital required to drive sustainable socio-economic development across the region.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Gai Peter Manyuon
Public Relations and Corporate Communications Officer
Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA)
Tel: +256 700 421 986
Email: gmanyuon@iucea.org