The Airtel Africa Foundation hopes to empower the next generation of data science and artificial intelligence specialists throughout the continent by launching a fellowship program for IIT Madras Zanzibar undergraduate students.
The organisation said in a statement on Sunday that ten worthy students from various socioeconomic backgrounds will receive full scholarships as part of the $500,000 initiative. The scholarships will pay for their living expenses and tuition for the entire four years of the program.
According to the charity, the scholarship is the first effort to improve educational chances for deserving students enrolled at IIT M Zanzibar, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds.
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Students from 14 African countries will benefit from the $500,000 initiative
It stated that students from 14 African nations—Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger, Chad, Congo B, Gabon, Madagascar, and Seychelles—were to be assisted by the program.
The people who get this fellowship will be referred to as “Airtel Africa Fellows.” They will get $12,000, which is 100% of their education expenses, based on the institute’s 4-year program’s course cost schedule.
Furthermore, all qualified students will get $500 to help with living expenses.
According to the company, the goal of this program is to “transform, shape, and nurture future leaders who will contribute to technological innovation and economic growth in Africa.”
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Airtel Africa Foundation’s chairman commends the initiative
Dr. Olusegun Ogunsanya, the chairman of the Airtel Africa Foundation, stated: “We are happy to collaborate with IIT Madras Zanzibar to give young Africans access to high-quality education.”
This project aims to help build a wealthy and sustainable continent. We are eager to expand opportunities in education, financial inclusion, digital inclusion, and environmental preservation.
Zanzibar’s Minister of Education and Vocational Training comment
“IITM Zanzibar is charting a wonderful path in technical education in the region,” stated Ms Lela Mussa, Zanzibar’s Minister of Education and Vocational Training.
“Our top goal is to financially support students from Tanzania and the rest of the continent who are acing the IITM Zanzibar screening and test procedures so they can have access to this excellent education”