Caroline Mukebezi, who graduated with a Master’s degree in Health Promotion from the university’s School of Sports and Health Sciences, was awarded the grant for her project aimed at improving access to HIV response for vulnerable people – especially adolescents and young girls – in her native Uganda.
With support from the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF), the organisation founded by Caroline, will run a two-year project working with community health institutions and local leaders to improve access to HIV testing, reduce stigma associated with the disease and build the capacity of health workers through training and workshops.
While studying at Brighton, Caroline was a beneficiary of the Â̲èÖ±²¥ Forward Bound Scholarship which has supported Health Promotion MSc applicants from low or lower-middle income countries since 2015. The award provides educational funding for health and other professionals who are employed or volunteer in roles where they will be able to influence and shape health promotion practice and policy on their return.
Caroline said: “I wouldn't have been able to do all these things if not for the Forward Bound scholarship, which made it possible for me to come to Brighton to get all this knowledge. The chance to learn, to study and then use that knowledge and put it into practise has greatly impacted me and brought a lot of other opportunities. It has been truly life changing and I don't take it for granted.”