African entrepreneur goes international with OSU collaboration

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Uganda native Joyce Nabisaalu will take some Oklahoma State University know-how to the 2015 International Textile and Apparel Association conference, where she will present a crafted dress. Nabisaalu is one of 12 African entrepreneurs who recently took part in an exchange project hosted by OSU.

The program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, brought entrepreneurs from Kenya, South Africa and Uganda to OSU last May to learn about doing business in the United States.

During her visit to OSU, Nabisaalu gained new skills for her fashion line while working with Mary Ruppert-Stroescu, an assistant professor in design, housing and merchandising. As a result of their collaboration, Nabisaalu created a handmade, beaded dress that was chosen for presentation at the International Textile and Apparel Association conference in October 2015 in Charlotte, N.C. She will use her design to compete for scholarships, gift certificates and design equipment.

The Ugandan native has applied to OSU’s graduate college and hopes to pursue a doctorate in the College of Human Sciences.

For more information, contact Brentney Maroney at brentney.maroney@okstate.edu.

Story by Brentney Maroney ​