Fionah and Alfred, Students from Makerere University School of Women and Gender, Embark on the GENDIG Project Journey with the Support of Erasmus+ Scholarships
By Fionah Agaba Barbra, Master student in Gender Studies
Velkommen til Universitetet i Agder! I was nominated by the Gender and Digitalisation (GENDIG) project to participate in the exchange programme that is funded under ERASMUS+ scholarship. My adventure as an exchange student from the vibrant campus of Makerere University in Uganda to the picturesque landscapes of Norway at the University of Agder began on 9th August 2023. Boy, oh boy! has it been an exhilarating odyssey that spans continents and ideologies.
My perceptions across cultural, academic, social, and political realms have been challenged within this short period of time but what an enriching journey it is. I’ve woven together diverse perspectives, forged connections that transcend borders through dynamic social interactions, and insightful discussions with the other students in my Global Development Studies Masters program. I’m truly excited about what the next four months have in store for Alfred Andama and I. I look forward to this being a transformative period that will expand my intellectual horizons and also deepen my cultural sensitivities, especially in understanding the different gender dynamics of Norway.
Thank you to the School of Women and Gender Studies Makerere University, Fakultet for samfunnsvitenskap and Universitetet I Adger for this amazing opportunity.
By Alfred Andama, Master sutent in Arts in Gender Studies
Pursuing Masters of Arts in Gender Studies has made me look at life in a more accommodative, compassionate and empathetic lens. I joined the masters class in Makerere University School of Women and Gender studies in 2022 after being admitted in the 2021/2022 academic year. The hunger and desire to learn from the richness that the School provided in terms of dedicated and experienced lecturers, Library resource and open minded course mates helped me shape and sharpen my ambition to pursue the course. The Imaginaries of gender in day to day discussions and work spaces is characterised by inadequate subject matter which commonly leads to the use of ill-informed methods in addressing systemic gender inequalities. These inequalities influence how shocks and crisis are managed in Uganda.
The exchange program between Makerere University and the University of Agder (UiA) in Kristiansand (Norway) has given me an opportunity to study Masters in Global Development Crisis and Change. This program helps me to improve on my research skills and understanding of the different types of Crisis within our communities, nation, region and globe at large. My Gender grounding plays an important role in discussing Crisis with a targeted approach to answer the question of who is most affected by the crisis and excluded in the management. This approach provides an al-inclusive augment in the pursuit of the master’s course.
Climate crisis, Financial crisis Health Crisis and all other types of Natural crisis are not uncommon in Uganda Africa and the world at large. A gendered approach to researching crisis the way to go research if policy making process and interventions are to be supported by knowledge creation to improve the livelihood of people.
I intend to use my time of studying in Norway to gain more knowledge in understanding Global crisis, and improve my writing skills to inform policy and provide rich alternatives for interventions in crisis management.
I thank the school of women and gender studies for entrusting me to take this course.
