Mountains of the Moon University (MMU) hosted the second Joint Steering Committee (JSC) meeting of the MAINSTREAM Project on 27th August 2024, bringing together project coordinators from partner institutions across Africa and Europe. The virtual meeting, chaired by Overall Project Coordinator Assoc. Prof. Violet Kisakye, reviewed progress since the June 2024 session and finalized key preparations for upcoming student and staff mobilities.
Prof. Kisakye noted that the project remains on track, with all deliverables up to date on the EU portal. The committee reviewed and adopted the scholarship templates and call for applications, which will be released by 15th September 2024 to allow a 45-day application period. Applications will close on 10th November, paving the way for preselection before the final beneficiary selection during the December physical meeting in Fort Portal, Uganda.
The physical JSC meeting is scheduled for 3rd–6th December 2024, with participants arriving in Kampala on 1st December before proceeding to Fort Portal. The agenda will include three days of intensive project work followed by a day of site visits.
Among other updates, members agreed that host institutions will not train their own applicants but will receive students from partner universities. The institutional budget remains dedicated to supporting mobility, with scholarship funds to be disbursed directly to beneficiaries from the coordinating institution.
The committee will reconvene virtually on 8th October 2024 to monitor progress after the scholarship call goes out.
