I am Akongo Rose Stella, a scholar in the ALiVE Academy. I joined the ALiVE Academy in August 2023, as part of the ALiVE Core Technical Team from Uganda. At that time, I had newly joined the ALiVE Program team in Uganda. The opportunity arose at a time when I was seeking to sharpen my thinking, elevate my professional practice, and connect with like-minded individuals passionate about advancing learning outcomes in Africa.
The sessions in the Academy have been dynamic, thought-provoking, and deeply engaging. They are not the typical lecture-style trainings; instead, they’re interactive, reflective, and grounded in real-world applications. Each module builds on the other, integrating theory with practice in a way that constantly challenges us to think critically and act intentionally. Our technical advisor and facilitator Professor Esther Care is both knowledgeable and genuinely invested in our learning journeys.
So far, my progress in the Academy has been both empowering and humbling. I have grown in my ability to develop assessment frameworks for skills and values, develop and use assessment tools to generate and interpret data to establish levels of competencies, develop learning progressions, ask the right questions, and design learning interventions that are responsive to context. I have also gained confidence in presenting evidence and framing narratives that can influence decision-making spaces.
What I am most proud of is being part of a vibrant cadre of scholars who are not only passionate but also deeply grounded in their contexts. The peer learning has been just as enriching as the modules themselves. I am also inspired by how the Academy has created room for experiential learning — through field visits, travel across the region, and exposure to diverse cultural and education contexts, which have broadened my worldview and appreciation of African ingenuity and resilience.
Professionally, the Academy has shifted how I approach my work. I now think more in systems and see the value of slow, intentional work that seeks to catalyse sustainable change rather than just deliver quick wins. I’ve embraced complexity with more curiosity and learned to lead with evidence. These are not just tools; they are mindsets that will continue to shape my leadership journey.
On a personal level, the Academy has been a space of growth and reflection. It has reawakened my commitment to lifelong learning and reminded me that meaningful change begins with self. I’ve built lasting relationships, found mentors, and gained a renewed sense of purpose in life and work.
I am deeply grateful for the ALiVE Academy — not just for the knowledge it has imparted, but for the community it has created and the vision it nurtures. I carry forward a deep sense of responsibility to apply what I’ve learned and to be part of a collective that is reimagining education systems in Africa.
@StellaAkongo
