September 24, 2014

Iowa State University has been registered as a non-governmental organization (NGO) by Uganda to continue the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods' service learning programs, outreach, research and internship and collaborative efforts. 

The registration process was completed in Uganda, and on September 1, 2014 the first four employees for the NGO, called Iowa State University - Uganda Program, began work. 

The NGO registration will help ISU to operate more efficiently and to enable students, faculty and staff to initiate and manage projects directly benefiting rural families in Uganda. 

The Ugandan registration follows the 2013 authorization by the Iowa Board of Regents to create the branch office in Uganda for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods. 

This is not the first NGO created abroad by Iowa State. The College of Design's Rome program established NGO status in 1999. 

"The registration of our Uganda program as an independent entity is a step forward in the natural evolution toward a more globally engaged College of Agriculture and Life Sciences," said David Acker, the college's Associate Dean for Academic and Global Programs. "The NGO status will open doors for more students and faculty from our college and elsewhere on campus to spend time learning in and about Uganda."