In a statement, Airtel Africa Foundation said the Fellowship aims to support deserving students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.
The scholarship program is designed to support students from 14 African countries, including Rwanda, Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania, DR Congo, Niger, Chad, Congo B, Gabon, Madagascar and Seychelles.
Starting with an outlay of US$500,000, this program will benefit 10 undergraduate students, for their entire course duration of four years.
Founded in 2024 with a vision to foster a prosperous Africa, the Airtel Africa Foundation is dedicated to advancing digital and financial inclusion across the continent along with key focus on education and environmental protection.
'This Fellowship is the maiden initiative undertaken to enhance educational opportunities for meritorious students, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds, enrolled at IIT M Zanzibar,' the statement reads in part.
The Foundation said that the recipients of the scholarship 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.
According to the management, the initiative aims to transform, shape lives and nurture future leaders who will contribute to technological innovation and economic growth of Africa.
'We 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,' the Chairman of the Airtel Africa Foundation, Dr. Olusegun Ogunsanya said.
Zanzibar's Minister of Education and Vocational Training, Lela Mohamed Mussa, lauded the fellowship scheme, saying it will support efforts to increase access to quality education to students from across the continent.
'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. We are thankful to this support from Airtel Africa Foundation, which will enhance our own efforts in this direction,' the minister stated.
The Director of IIT Madras, Prof. V. Kamakoti welcomed the partnership with the Airtel Africa Foundation, saying 'We are delighted that Airtel Africa Foundation is joining hands with us in this effort. 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.'
IGIHE
