By Brenda Odhiambo

USIU-Africa and the Mastercard Foundation have today welcomed the third cohort under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. A total of 82 female students were recruited into the cohort, which also saw 19 male students join the Scholars Program.
Last year, the Mastercard Foundation partnered with USIU-Africa to launch the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa, which will see 1,000 students from across the continent educated over 10 years at a cost of $63.2 million (Kshs. 6.8 billion).

The program is on track to recruit a diverse student body, which so far includes 127 and 42 male in the categories of young women (75%), young men (25%), refugees/displaced Youth (13%) and, persons with disability (5%) who have been placed in 11 programs providing skills training, leadership development, counselling, mentoring, internships and career services. The program is also educating, preparing and transitioning young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into the labour market as leaders of socio-economic transformation in their communities.

In her remarks, USIU-Africa’s Interim Vice Chancellor, Prof. Freida Brown noted that the Scholars Program was in line with the University’s goal of providing a holistic education that would equip learners with the knowledge to position themselves at the forefront of economic and social change not only in Kenya, but across the world.

“The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa is a comprehensive and holistic program that supports students to become transformative leaders who will make impactful change in their communities. We are proud as an institution to be part of this prestigious program which will equip African students with the relevant tools to build a brighter future for the continent,” she said.

“The Scholars Program is designed to give academically talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds an opportunity to build and strengthen their academic and leadership potential. As Scholars, you are now global citizens who will have the right tools and knowledge to change lives within your communities and across borders,” he said.

The third cohort of Scholars was drawn from a pool of 5000 applicants drawn from various parts of the country, and from 19 African countries. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa provides full-cost scholarships to young Africans who are first-time undergraduate degree-seeking applicants.

Upon completion of their studies, the Scholars will be required to lead changes in their communities and contribute to meaningful transformation across the continent, having been equipped with internationally recognized qualifications.