Written by Colin McEvoy | July 9, 2024 | SHARE
Mariam Nakigude discusses her experiences as part of the 2024 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders program at Lehigh University's Iacocca Institute
This summer, Lehigh University’s Iacocca Institute is hosting 25 of Africa’s brightest emerging business leaders as part of the 2024 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, an initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.
Over the next several weeks, we will spotlight several of these talented young innovators and entrepreneurs, showcasing the impactful work they are doing in their home communities, as well as their experiences during the six-week program at Lehigh.
Among these young leaders is Mariam Nakigude, Manager of the Career and Skills Development Centre at Makerere University Business School in Uganda, and the founder of Eduvantage Uganda Limited.
Can you describe your current professional role and share what inspired you to pursue this career path
In 2017, I graduated alongside 700,000 students from various universities and tertiary institutions. I soon realized that the skills and knowledge taught at university were not aligned with the demands of the job market, making it challenging to secure employment.
Determined to prevent other graduates from facing the same struggles, I dedicated myself to equipping final-year students with the skills needed for the job market and entrepreneurship. Additionally, I provide career guidance to high school students to help them make informed career choices
How has your experience at Lehigh and the Iacocca Institute been? Are there any particular moments or experiences that have stood out to you?
The diversity of the group at Lehigh University has been incredibly special, allowing me to meet various people from Africa and the United States. Having one-on-one interactions with many of them, as well as being welcomed into the homes of Professor Venard Scott Koerwer and Professor Kira Mendez for shared meals, was a remarkable experience for me.
I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to witness the standard of excellence I aspire to establish for people back in Uganda. Lehigh University embodies the benchmark I wanted to achieve, and there was no better option than Lehigh University.
How do you plan to apply the knowledge and skills you've gained here to your work back home?
Earlier this year, I launched Eduvantage Uganda Limited, an organization dedicated to equipping students with comprehensive career guidance, skill development, and diverse exposure opportunities. Our mission is to cultivate a generation of confident and skilled professionals prepared to thrive in today's dynamic world.
Through my focus project, I have been guided by my coach on how to align our goal of equipping 2,000 students annually. I have learned to create synergy and partnerships with various groups of people to bring this goal to reality.