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What YOU can get out of the DFC Scholarship Programme

10-10-18

More than 500 staff members from Danish supported partner organizations in 11 countries have received scholarships through the DFC Scholarship Programme since the programme was launched in late 2016. Watch our new video to see what makes the programme so popular.

By Helle Jørgensen

The DFC Scholarship Programme is popular. The number of fellows who receive scholarships keeps growing and the programme continues to offer more and more opportunities for more and more partner organizations under the Danish Strategic Sector Cooperation .

What has made the programme so popular?
To answer this question, we asked some of the many people involved what they got out of the DFC Scholarship Programme in the new video launched recently.

The DFC Scholarship Programme has helped us establish stronger relationships between the Vietnamese and Danish authorities and universities
Katja Majbom Goodhew, Sector Counsellor at the Danish Embassy in Vietnam

The DFC programme offered me an exceptional opportunity to meet, learn, and interact with people from different nationalities and backgrounds, says Jane Lwoyero. Photo: Søren Clemmesen

Based on collaboration
Every time a new course is developed for the Scholarship Programme, DFC involves a multitude of partners – from Danish sector counsellors and authorities, to Danish universities and private companies.

The programme is based on the understanding that dialogue, collaboration and co-creation bring out the best ideas allowing DFC to offer our partners the best opportunities possible for continued learning, and opportunities that match their context and needs.

I was once asked why Danida Fellowship Centre does not just decide, which courses it wants to offer. Wouldn’t that be easier and more predictable? says Maya Lindberg Brink and continues,

My colleagues from health care authorities and organizations in our partner countries get a chance to meet some of the best researchers, health care professionals and leaders in the Danish health care sector. It is of mutual benefit for all of those involved.
Frederik Carl Felding, Head of Section at the Danish Ministry of Health

And the answer is of course ‘yes’. But the easy way is not always the best way. If you want to offer something relevant, you have to ask people what they really need. If you want people to get involved, you need to understand what drives them. And, if you want your initiatives to spark change, then you need to ask ‘what will make that change happen’ – and that is seldom an answer that one person or institution alone can provide.

For more information about the Scholarship Programme and our many other activities visit our website.

Helle Jørgensen, Capacity Development Advisor, Danida Fellowship Centre

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