S. Vishnu Sharma
Airtel Africa Foundation announced the launch of the prestigious ‘Airtel Africa Fellowship Program’ for the undergraduate students at IIT Madras Zanzibar.
It is interesting to note that IIT Madras Zanzibar is the first-ever foreign campus established by an IIT. There is more to it than meets the eye.
Fellowship
The Fellowship aims to support deserving students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) in Zanzibar, say sources from Airtel Africa Foundation.
Starting with an outlay of US$500,000, this program will benefit 10 undergraduate students, for their entire course duration of 4 years, say sources from Airtel Africa Foundation.
Vision
Airtel Africa Foundation was founded in 2004 with a vision to foster a prosperous Africa. Airtel Africa Foundation is dedicated to advancing digital and financial inclusion across the continent along with key focus on education and environmental protection.
Initiative
This Fellowship is the maiden initiative undertaken to enhance educational opportunities for meritorious students, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds, enrolled at IIT M Zanzibar, say sources from Airtel Africa Foundation.
It is designed to support students from 14 African countries, which are namely Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, DRC, Niger, Chad, Congo B, Gabon, Madagascar and Seychelles.
Recipients
Recipients of this scholarship by Airtel Africa Foundation will be known as ‘Airtel Africa Fellows’.
They will receive 100% of their college fees i.e. US$12,000 as per the course fee structure of the Institute for a 4-year program.
Additionally, to cover the living expense cost, US$500 will be given to all eligible students.
This initiative will aspire to transform, shape lives and nurture future leaders who will contribute to technological innovation and economic growth of Africa.
Path
Commenting on the fellowship scheme, Zanzibar’s Minister of Education and Vocational Training, H.E. Ms Lela Mohamed Mussa said, IITM Zanzibar is charting a wonderful path in technical education in the region.
Providing access to this high quality education to students from Tanzania and the rest of the continent, who are topping the IITM Zanzibar screening and test processes, through financial assistance, is an important priority for us, she said.
‘We are thankful to this support from Airtel Africa Foundation, which will enhance our own efforts in this direction.’
Opportunities
Chairman of the Airtel Africa Foundation, Dr. Olusegun Ogunsanya said, they are pleased to partner with IIT Madras Zanzibar to provide opportunities for young Africans to access quality education.
‘This initiative aims to contribute towards creating a prosperous and sustainable continent.’
We look forward to creating even more opportunities not just in education, but also in financial and digital inclusion, and environmental protection, he said.
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Director of IIT Madras
The Director of IIT Madras, Prof. V. Kamakoti said IIT Madras is committed to establishing a world class campus in Zanzibar.
We are delighted that Airtel Africa Foundation is joining hands with us in this effort, he said.
‘We look forward to welcoming the second cohort of bright young students to the IITM Zanzibar campus this year.’
We are immensely grateful to Airtel Africa Foundation for providing financial assistance for these future global leaders, he said.
About Airtel Africa Foundation
Airtel Africa Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Airtel Africa, a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services, with a presence in 14 countries in Africa, primarily in East Africa and Central and West Africa.
The vision of the Airtel Africa Foundation is a prosperous Africa for all.
It is working to increase digital and literacy and skills, expand digital infrastructure in underserved areas, promote economic empowerment for women, expand access to education and address environmental degradation by advocating for and implementing sustainable practices.