South Africa Program Review – 2022

South Africa Graduate Advisory Council

From the Country Director...

This past year our Scholars began their post-Covid academic journey, adapting and adjusting socially and academically to the resumption of in-person lectures, tutoring, academic workshops, etc. The highlight of our year was the Leadership Summit, which included a video featuring 10 graduated Scholars who spoke on their experiences in the Gallagher community and their achievements after graduation. The event coincided with the 20th Anniversary celebration of the Foundation which was live streamed as part of the program, allowing us to witness the memories and achievements of the past 20 years of the Foundation. Despite post-Covid transitions, the year held positive impact and growth for our Scholars. Feedback from Scholars has been encouraging and motivates us to build on current achievements.

Wiedaad Dollie Country Director, South Africa

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This year the Advisory Council focused on two strategic initiatives to build better communication and engagement in the graduate network. To this effect, the first Fireside Chat was hosted by a panel of graduated Scholars in association with the South African Anxiety and Depression Group, which was attended by over 20 graduates. One of our graduated Scholars hosted a graduate meet-up in Johannesburg attended by graduates across different cohorts, providing an opportunity for graduates to re-connect. The Advisory Council is proactively working on steps to ensure that the graduate community is inclusive and accessible to all.

Scholar Satisfaction

of South African current Scholars feel extremely or moderately connected to the Gallagher Scholar community overall.

From the Country Director...

During the 2021-22 academic year, Scholars took courses in person and online. This hybrid system gave them some flexibility but also held some downsides as Scholars have missed their friends and campus. Despite all the changes in a hybrid learning system as well as updates on the campus, all our Scholars finished their semesters well, overcoming all the difficulties they have faced. Despite the “social” changes around the campus, our Scholars in Turkey have bonded this year. Economically, socially and academically the changes have affected them, but all of them have learned to overcome the challenges. They have provided support to each other, and our graduates have supported us all as well.

Elvan Zihnioğlu Country Director, Turkey

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Turkey Graduate Advisory Council

As this is our first official year having the Advisory Council in Turkey, we immediately felt the need to update our graduate database so we can have a better understanding of expectations from the graduated Scholars. Of the 58 total Turkey graduates, 44 responded with their updated information and answered a couple of questions about their interest in ideas within our group. We realized there is an increasing trend to work and live outside of Turkey, so we decided to have an “Ask Me” session with members living in foreign countries.

Scholar Satisfaction

of Turkish current Scholars are either moderately or extremely satisfied in the ways that the Gallagher Foundation strengthens and equips them as leaders.