Each year, ORI awards full university scholarships to a select group of talented and deserving students, who matriculate at the Rwandan university of their choice. ORI scholarships provide tuition, books, a living allowance, healthcare and a broad range of support programs, described below. Scholarships are tenable for four years, provided the student remains in good academic standing.

Student Selection

The ORI selection process is an extensive undertaking that enables ORI to award scholarships to some of the most impressive young people from the most vulnerable segment of Rwandan society. Working closely with our partner organizations throughout the country, we consider a wide array of factors when reviewing applicants. We implement our student selection process in four phases:

Phase 1: Primary Application

In the first phase, applicants submit essays, national exam scores, and a government document verifying their vulnerability status.

Phase 2: Secondary Applications and the Language Exam

Students complete short-answer and essay questions on their academic goals and background.

Working with partner organizations located throughout the country, ORI administers a language exam that assesses applicants' abilities in English and French.

Phase 3: Interviews

Finalists are interviewed by a panel of ORI staff and representatives from our partner organizations. The goals of the interview are to assess motivation and to learn more about each applicant's personal background.

Phase 4: Verification

Before new students are officially accepted into the program, ORI staff members verify their vulnerability status by traveling to applicants' home sectors and checking the information in their applications.

Currently, the ORI team is in the middle of selecting our next class of scholarship recipients, and we are humbled by the growing demand for our scholarships. In May 2009, we received 2,667 primary applications from young Rwandans throughout the country—an 81% increase over the number of applications we received last year (1,475). In June, 491 students advanced to the second phase of the selection process, and admitted students will join our program in the fall of 2009 before beginning their university studies in 2010.

Language Skills

Kinyarwanda is Rwanda's national language, but French and English are also official languages; university instruction is now taught primarily in English. Many of our students are fluent in French and have intermediate or basic English skills. In order to help them become fluent in English, we have launched an extensive language training program which has two main components:

Pre-matriculation intensive language training

Prior to matriculation, new students enroll in a ten-week mandatory intensive training program in which they study English five days a week. Students attend a local language school each morning for grammar instruction and participate in discussion sections with ORI staff in the afternoons.

Language training throughout the academic year

For the duration of their university studies, all ORI students receive language training through classes focused on oral expression, listening comprehension, grammatical skills and writing ability.

Classes are organized according to skill level (beginner, intermediate and advanced) and geographic location. The goal is for each student to improve significantly every year so that all students are fluent in both English and French.

Computer Skills

In an effort to prepare its students to succeed in today's job market, ORI has developed a comprehensive computer training program. The program has two main componentsóan intensive course that takes place during new student orientation and advanced trainings that take place throughout the academic year.

During orientation, students participate in a 10-week computer training course where they acquire skills in Internet usage, basic troubleshooting, typing, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.

ORI offers advanced training courses on software programs such as PowerPoint and Publisher. All classes are taught in ORI's computer lab in Kigali.

Each student group house has its own computer, providing students with 24/7 access to a computer so that they can conduct Internet research and complete coursework.

Career Development

ORI has aggressively expanded its career development program in order to enable its students to develop their professional, leadership and entrepreneurial skills. We are dedicated to providing our students with access to internships, which are a relatively novel concept in Rwanda. The three main aspects of our career development program are skills-building trainings, internships & part-time jobs and professional mentoring.

Skills-building trainings

At a variety of workshops, students learn about finance and management, explore career opportunities, learn how to write a good CV and cover letter, and participate in career development activities.

Entrepreneurship training and leadership opportunities are available to students through partnerships with other organizations; the ORI Student Government Association plays an active role in organizing these activities.

Internships and part-time jobs

ORI's Director of Career Development seeks internship opportunities for ORI students, and further assists students in establishing and meeting their professional goals.

Students have been excelling in their new leadership roles as interns and employees at local nonprofits, businesses and government agencies. To learn about how four ORI management interns are helping women improve their lives at Indego Africa, an organization that works with women's cooperatives, please visit: http://indegoafrica.org/publicpartners

Professional mentoring and networking opportunities

A new professional mentoring program matches our students with young Rwandan professionals working in their specific industry or sector. Mentors meet with one to three ORI students on a monthly basis to discuss their personal and professional goals, review their CVs, and provide valuable insight and guidance into professional life in a given industry.

Current mentors include an International Human Rights Law Consultant at the United Nations Development Program and accountants at Cogebanque and RwandAir.

We organize a variety of events and workshops for students to meet young Rwandan professionals, and practice their interviewing and networking skills.

Academic Advising & Tutoring

All ORI scholars are matched with ORI staff members who meet with them regularly to track their progress. Advisors encourage students to take advantage of the opportunities offered by ORI and their respective universities and offer guidance on academic performance, healthcare, career development and involvement in extracurricular activities.

If an ORI student needs extra academic help, ORI provides support for tutoring services. This allows students to address any problems well in advance of final examinations with one-on-one assistance specific to their coursework. Students identify tutors themselves, and ORI reviews the credentials of each tutor before reimbursing the student for his or her tutoring expenses.

Healthcare and Psychosocial Counseling

Healthcare is a critical component of the ORI program. Once accepted into ORI, all students are enrolled in mutuelle de sante, Rwanda's health insurance, which enables them to use clinics and hospitals throughout the country. In addition to insurance, ORI pays for specialized care and annual dental and vision check-ups. ORI's Health Services Officer is a certified nurse, and she is always available for appointments and referrals for students suffering from illness. ORI also contracts with professional mental health counselors who are available to all students on a regular basis.