phd thesis on ngos

This study explores the impact of resource relations on NGO independence. Specifically, the research question is: "Can NGOs be resource dependent on the government and remain independent. If so, how." Most of the non-profit and NGO literatures on this topic suggest a negative relationship between government funding and NGO independence, called here "the piper hypothesis" due to frequent references to the saying "they who pay the piper call the tune." The piper hypothesis, if true, describes an increasingly critical situation in this time of increasing "partnerships' between government and NGOs. However, in the organisational theory literature, Resource Dependency Perspective (RDP) suggests that organisations can pursue strategies to protect their independence and resist external control. This study explores the independence strategies pursued by NGOs when they receive government funding, drawing on and building upon an RDP lens. Independence is a complex concept encompassing many dimensions of managerial attitudes and organisational behaviour. To explore the piper hypothesis, this study adopted a qualitative research design, comparing NGO case-studies in Mexico and Portugal. Surprisingly, my findings mostly disproved the "piper hypothesis". In both countries, some NGOs that received the great majority of their funding from the government still managed to retain a very high level of organisational independence, suggesting a paradox: NGOs can in some conditions remain independent and non-governmental even when the majority of their resources are of governmental origin. There were various conditions that help explain the paradox. Contrary to common assumptions, proportion of government funding is not equal to resource dependence since NGOs are rich in non-pecuniary resources, which are often overlooked in analyses of NGO resource dependence. Moreover, the government is often not interested or is incapable of controlling NGOs, leaving much room for NGO discretion in partnership programmes. At the same time, NGOs can and do pursue strategies to protect their independence when they receive government funding. These strategies have been mostly ignored in the nonprofit and NGO literatures. One particularly important set of strategies involved strengthening organisational commitment to mission, through strengthening leadership structures and accountability to the grassroots. This set of strategies was ignored by RDP and most subsequent research on resource dependence. These findings have important implications for theory, policy and management. Contrary to much of the literature on NGOs and non-profits, resource dependence on government funding was not a sufficient condition for low organizational independence. RDP provided a useful framework to begin an exploration of why this was so. In fact, applying RDP to understand NGOs was mutually enriching. RDP suggests various independence strategies for NGOs, which have been neglected in the non-profit and NGO literatures. Likewise, examining NGOs suggested new possible independence strategies, which have been ignored by RDP. In terms of policy, government can take various steps to help protect NGO independence. In terms of management, NGOs can and often do manage the paradox of resource dependence and organisational independence, by pursuing various independence strategies. Moreover, since resource dependence can emerge from sources other than funding and because of the importance of organisational independence for NGOs and non-profits, even organisations that do not receive government funding need to take active steps to manage their independence.

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Democratization, civil society and NGOs:: the case of Brčko district, Bosnia-Herzegovina

Jeffrey, Alexander Sam (2004) Democratization, civil society and NGOs:: the case of Brčko district, Bosnia-Herzegovina. Doctoral thesis, Durham University.

This thesis explores the impact of the process of democratization on the development of civil society organisations in Brčko District, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This study aims to advance existing debates concerning democratization within contemporary political geography by reflecting on the plural and conflicting nature of civil society organisations. In the shadow of the fall of Communism across east and central Europe, analysts have focussed on the role of civil society in legitimising democratic transitions. This has led to the notion of 'civil society building' entering the 'tool kit' of intergovernmental organisations and multilateral donors, as the term has become part of a global discourse of development and democratization. Increasingly, the constitution of civil society has been questioned, as the globalisation of development discourse has coincided with a narrowing of the term to focus almost exclusively on non-governmental organisations (NGOs). This thesis critically examines these processes within Brčko District, an area of north-east Bosnia and Herzegovina that suffered brutal ethnic cleansing during the conflict of the 1990s. As a result of its strategic significance to all warring parties it did not comprise part of the Dayton Peace Agreement. Instead, it was decided to establish the area as a 'special district', with a unique commitment to multiethnic institutions such as schools, judiciary and the police. This decision led to a significant increase in international funding, coupled with the escalation of the executive and legislative powers of the internationally-led Office of the High Representative (OHR). This thesis assesses the influence of this supervision and intervention on the ability of NGOs to set the agenda and represent the concerns of the local citizenry. As such, it forms part of a wider effort to provide ethnographic perspectives on the relationship between civil society and democratization.

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The theses in UWSpace are publicly accessible unless restricted due to publication or patent pending.

This collection includes a subset of theses submitted by graduates of the University of Waterloo as a partial requirement of a degree program at the Master's or PhD level. It includes all electronically submitted theses. (Electronic submission was optional from 1996 through 2006. Electronic submission became the default submission format in October 2006.)

This collection also includes a subset of UW theses that were scanned through the Theses Canada program. (The subset includes UW PhD theses from 1998 - 2002.)

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A breaking hero emerges: Meet Australia's Raygun

An australian professor had some breaking moves, and people had thoughts., by nbc staff • published august 9, 2024 • updated on august 9, 2024 at 3:19 pm.

As Dr. Rachel Gunn, she's a 36-year-old lecturer at Macquarie University in Australia . She holds a PhD in cultural science. She researches and lectures on the cultural politics of breaking .

As Raygun, she's an Olympian breaker, competing for Australia.

Raygun lost all three of her matches, against B-Girls named Nicka, Syssy and Logistx. Yes, that sentence is accurate.

24/7 New York news stream: Watch NBC 4 free wherever you are

But Raygun had some moves. And people had some thoughts.

What my nephew does after telling all of us to “watch this” pic.twitter.com/366LjIRl4j — Liz Charboneau (@lizchar) August 9, 2024

There has not been an Olympic performance this dominant since Usain Bolt’s 100m sprint at Beijing in 2008. Honestly, the moment Raygun broke out her Kangaroo move this competition was over! Give her the #breakdancing gold 🥇 pic.twitter.com/6q8qAft1BX — Trapper Haskins (@TrapperHaskins) August 9, 2024

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All I can think about when I see this is the hip hop dance teacher from Bob’s Burgers but if instead she was from Australia and was a 36 year old woman named Raygun https://t.co/nUwYVLnrms pic.twitter.com/Wl5FResHw7 — Shereef Sakr (@ShereefKeef) August 9, 2024

Paris 2024 Summer Olympics

Watch all the action from the Paris Olympics live on NBC

Chiles responds to CAS decision to strip bronze medal

Jordan Chiles speaks out for first time since losing bronze medal

when Raygun hit the kangaroo jawn I couldn't see the screen I was crying so hard pic.twitter.com/jcICfTu11d — Bradford Pearson (@BradfordPearson) August 9, 2024

I think I found the source of inspiration for the Raygun breakdance at the Olympics. https://t.co/t94Iyu1dPZ pic.twitter.com/a7DL9etwRz — Noodson (@noodson) August 9, 2024

Raygun was like pic.twitter.com/KvXVPVGScx — Charles J. Moore (@charles270) August 9, 2024

Raygun did THE SPRINKLER at this breakdance thing, this is the worst thing Australia has ever done. — Luis Paez-Pumar (@lppny) August 9, 2024

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Duong Ngo Dissertation Defense

Duong Ngo, PhD Candidate

Title: Harnessing Radicals and Carbenes for C-H and Alkene Functionalization

Department of History

College of Social Science

History PhD Candidate Spotlight: NAEd Spencer Dissertation Fellow Gloria J. Ashalou

Posted on August 14, 2024 August 14, 2024 Author mcdon625

 By: Patti McDonald 

Gloria J. Ashaolu, a Michigan State University History PhD candidate majoring in African American history with minors in U.S. history and Black comparative/diaspora history, was recently named a 2024 National Academy of Education (NAEd)/Spencer Dissertation Fellow.   

This prestigious fellowship was only offered to 35 graduate students nationwide. The fellowship supports these students with the writing phase of their dissertation. The fellowship is comprised of three key components: fellows receive $27,500 for one academic year (distributed in two installments), students participate in two professional development retreats facilitated by NAEd members and other distinguished scholars, and have the opportunity of selecting an NAEd member or another respected scholar as their mentor to offer advice and assistance during the school year. 

We sat down with Gloria and asked her about her dissertation, how grateful she is for being recognized as a NAEd/Spencer Fellow, and why she decided to major in African American history and minor in U.S. history, and Black comparative/diaspora history. 

What were you thinking when you found out you were awarded The NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship?   

I was overwhelmed with joy and a deep sense of gratitude. 

What is this fellowship going to allow you to do? How is it so helpful you received this?   

The financial support from the NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship alleviates the need for significant employment and will allow me to dedicate more time to my dissertation—toward meeting the goals I set for my time to degree trajectory. I am also immensely grateful for the unique opportunity to engage with members of my cohort and distinguished scholars in the field of education at the two professional development retreats organized by the National Academy of Education. Participating in the discussions and sessions will provide me with the resources and insight to meaningfully contribute to the field and the improvement of education. Furthermore, fellows are paired with mentors who will provide further research and career development over the academic year.  

What is your dissertation about? Tell us about it in a few sentences.   

Between the late 19 th and early 20 th centuries, the model of educational vision Black teachers fostered and were deeply committed to greatly mirrored what we today regard as anti-racist systems of knowledge and educational practices. My dissertation attends to the understudied educational activism, pedagogies, and praxes of local Black teachers during the Early Black History Movement through a biographical analysis of the life and times of Jane Dabney Shackelford, a Black female educator from Terre Haute, Indiana who was most active during the era of Jim Crow segregation. The educational trajectory and systems of teaching Shackelford and her peers embodied serve as a useful tool for conceptualizing the significant ways in which local schoolteachers cultivated an intentional educational and intellectual practice that challenged the beliefs, politics, and policies of Jim Crow segregation. Driven by what Anna Julia Cooper referred to as the “moral forces of reason and justice and love,” these educators inspired Civil Rights Movement participants, Black Power Movement activists, and Black Studies revolutionaries.  

Why is this type of research so important?   

Amid the regime of violence, discrimination, and disfranchisement of Jim Crow segregation, local Black teachers played critical roles in the lives of countless Black youth by educating them about their rich history, heritage, and culture. This study situates the underappreciated presence and pedagogies of these educators within their rightful historical legacy. The first contribution of this project entails the study of the life and times of an influential—yet understudied—historical actor as a window into the education-activism of Black teachers during the Early Black History Movement. Second, this project attends to the principles and conventions of Jim Crow North, by challenging static, flattened, and selective narratives that loom in popular remembering of the era of Jim Crow segregation. Third, the use of the robust repository that makes up the Shackelford papers seeks to excavate the scholarly and intellectual work and the service ethos that guided her educational activism and that of her community of educators.  

Why did you decide to major and minor in African American history, U.S. history, and Black comparative/diaspora history?  

The decision to major and minor in African American history, U.S. history, and Black comparative/diaspora history in the Michigan State University History PhD program was inspired by the trajectory of my research, the opportunity to learn from leading scholars in the fields, and my aspiration to create meaningful historical work that helps us better understand the present through our collective history towards a just and inclusive society. 

    Who have been some of your mentors within the History department?   

My mentors within the department include my major Advisor, Dr. Pero G. Dagbovie (University Distinguished Professor of History, Associate Provost for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and Dean of the Graduate School), and Dissertation Committee Member, Dr. LaShawn D. Harris (award-winning historian and Associate Professor of History). I am sincerely thankful for their instrumental guidance and supportive mentorship.  

    Anything else you would like to include?   

  I am also grateful to God for the scholar-friends in the Department of History and College of Education who have been thought-partners and for their community of support.  

Gloria J. Ashaolu 

Engineering, Art & Tech

Mr. kaconco james successfully defended his phd thesis.

Mr. Kaconco James successfully defended his PhD thesis at a public defense session held at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT).

His thesis was titled; Master Production Scheduling, Total Quality Management and Blood Production Towards Blood Transfusion Sustainability in Uganda.

This study investigated the relationship between master production scheduling, total quality management, blood production, and transfusion sustainability in Ugandan blood banks. It aimed to address the challenges of blood safety and shortages in healthcare, leading to canceled or postponed transfusions and patient fatalities.

The study used was correlational and cross-sectional in nature with a pragmatic paradigm and a mixed-method strategy. It surveyed seven regional and seven university teaching hospital blood banks, using random and purposive sampling. Data came from self-administered questionnaires and interviews with key informants. Data analysis used SPSS20 and AMOS23 to determine relationships among variables. Qualitative data was analyzed using Nvivo software. Pilot tests ensured questionnaire and interview guide validity and reliability.

Findings showed a significant model for the relationship between master production scheduling and blood transfusion sustainability. Demand and supply significantly related to transfusion sustainability, while perishability had a positive but not significant relationship. Surprisingly, total quality management did not mediate the master production scheduling-blood transfusion sustainability link; instead, blood production fully mediated it. When considering both total quality management and blood production as serial mediators, both played a partial mediating role. Qualitative findings aligned with these results, highlighting various strategies used by Ugandan blood banks to enhance sustainability.

This study has managerial implications, emphasizing the importance of factors such as blood demand, staff involvement, continuous improvement, customer-centric approaches, and efficient bloodstock management in enhancing transfusion sustainability. Recommendations for policymakers include establishing a fund to support blood banks for knowledge dissemination and capacity development. They should also enhance annual evaluation, recognition, and awards for blood donors, individuals, and partners dedicated to transfusion sustainability. Establishing a dedicated unit under UBTS for compliance monitoring is recommended. Blood bank managers should invest in staff training, seek expert consultation on transfusion sustainability, and recognize and reward employees and teams demonstrating a strong commitment to transfusion sustainability.

The School of Engineering welcomes graduate students

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Incoming graduate students in the School of Engineering have been urged to work towards timely completion of the two-year program by adhering to the provisions contained in the graduate handbook. Students were further encouraged to attend the lectures, undertake all assignments and ensure that set deadlines are met.

The Deputy Principal CEDAT, Assoc. Prof. Kizito Maria Kasule presided over the meeting where the students were congratulated upon getting enrolled through a very competitive process.  In his remarks, the Deputy Principal encouraged the students to work towards gaining skills that would enable them get self- employed. He cautioned them against engaging in any form of malpractice which he said was not only punishable but could lead to dismissal and cancellation of the academic papers. Kizito further cautioned them against the vice of sexual harassment among students and staff.

During the orientation meeting held on Wednesday 14 th August 2024, the Dean of the School of Engineering, Dr. Dorothy Okello informed the incoming students that the competition for the limited slots of graduate studies was on the rise each passing year, and advised them to utilize the opportunity before them by taking their studies with the seriousness it deserves in order to complete timely. She said it was only 40% of the applicants that were admitted, and therefore the college had high expectations from them as the best of all the applicants.  She encouraged them to join research groups, look out for opportunities like student exchange programs involving international collaboration in order to expand their horizons.

The graduate students were reminded that by virtue of enrolling on a masters’ programs, graduate students were researchers and that they needed to start thinking of designing software and prototypes.  For them to progress, they were encouraged to cultivate the right mindset and attitude, utilize all the available sources of knowledge as one of the ways through which they were to undertake research and complete their program timely.

Other staff that addressed the students included, the Head of Department, Electrical and Computer engineering, Dr. Abubaker Matovu Wasswa, the Head of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Dr. Robinah Kulabako, the Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department, Dr. Peter Olupot, Dr. Edmund Mugumya, Prof Lating, and the School Registrar.

The graduate students enrolled on various programs in the School of Engineering, including Masters in power systems engineering, Masters in mechanical engineering, Masters in civil and environmental engineering.

This academic year 2024/2025, the University opened its gates to freshmen and women on 3 rd  August 2024. Inducting students into the University commenced on Monday, 5 th  August 2024 with a University-wide orientation organized by the Office of the Academic Registrar and conducted in the Freedom Square.

Makerere signs MoU with EACOP Ltd.

Makerere University  signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Ltd to create a platform for finalist and recently graduated students to undertake internships and industrial training with EACOP.  The pact provides a framework that will guide the collaboration between the two entities.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe signed on behalf of Makerere University while Martin Tiffen, the MD signed on behalf of EACOP at a ceremony held at Makerere University on Tuesday 16 th July 2024.  The MoU details the two main areas of collaboration in capacity building including internships or graduate training and the trainer of trainers.

In his remarks, Prof. Nawangwe commended the initiative which he said will benefit several students from the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) and the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) where programs related to the oil and gas industry are offered. He noted that oil and gas was still a young industry in Uganda and therefore the collaboration was timely.

Prof. Moses Musinguzi, the Principal CEDAT said the college was ready to collaborate with EACOP based on the fact that it is home to several programs in addition to the traditional engineering courses offered. He said all professionals have something to input into the oil pipeline and therefore the college was ready to offer the necessary support in ensuring that the MoU is actualized.

Dr. Peter Olupot, the Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department who spoke on behalf of the Dean School of Engineering said the school offers a range of programs relevant to the oil and gas industry in addition to the petroleum and geoscience subjects offered in the College of Natural Sciences. He said the School of Engineering was moving towards problem-based learning and competence-based assessment and therefore values the industry-academia relationships which will further the ongoing efforts towards producing graduates relevant to the industry.

The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Ltd. is a project company set up to develop, build, and operate a pipeline system that will transport crude oil from the inlet flange at Kabaale in Uganda to the port of Tanga in Tanzania.

A team of staff of Northeastern University paid a courtesy call on the Principal of the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT)

A team of staff of  Northeastern University  comprised of J.J. Kappa, Khalid I. Koddi, and Swaby Meisha paid a courtesy call on the Principal of the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) while on a mission to lay strategies for the forthcoming study abroad program.

Over twenty students from  Northeastern University  will next summer come to the Margret Trowel School of Industrial and Fine Art for a period of three weeks. While here, students will take on two courses identified by the faculty, engage with the local community to get the cultural experience and visit the cultural sites such as the museum and Nagenda International Academy of Art and Design (NIAD) among other areas.

While receiving the team, the Principal, Prof. Moses Musinguzi gave a brief background to the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT) as one of the ten Colleges making up  Makerere University , as well as MTSIFA as one of the Schools making up the College.

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