Nekotech Centre partner others to bring life to African students through STEM and AI programs
The Executive Chairperson of the SOS Global Investments and the Nekotech Center, H.E. Rev. Dr. Princess A. K. Ocansey has disclosed a $25 million package through the partnership between the Centre and other partners in prep school scholarships and an access of $1billion in educational loans to support students who qualify to participate in Africa – US Presidential Forum on STEM/AI in the U.S in September.
The requirements are a Bachelor’s degree with GPA 3.0/4.0, age 21-40 and ability to cover other expenses such as readiness and English proficiency, tickets, medicals, US Visa and settlement services.
The scholarships for the Prep school range from 20% to 100%, and each student can get up to $100,000 in the loan program for the payment of their tuition, books and living expenses.”
Nekotech’s Executive Director, Ms. Ida Abbeyquaye. explained at the virtual launch of the Africa – US Presidential Summit on STEM/AI. that, the candidates will do a two-year master’s degree in STEM/AI after which they will work for three years earning $60,000-$200,000/year and return to Africa.
The candidates will pay back the loan starting with interest only while in school, and the principle- six months after they start working full time.
Candidates have up to 10 years to pay back the loan.
As part of the program, students start with a Virtual Readiness and English Proficiency College at $236.
Upon certification, candidates become certified to enter the ASSIE Prep School at a 100% scholarship for certain partner schools and 20% scholarships for other schools.
The scholarships are valued at $2500 through the African STEM and Sports Institute of Excellence (ASSIE) and up to USD100,000 loan on admission to the STEM Affiliated Schools.
The programme which was piloted for five years has African students in top schools like the Colorado School of Mines, Duquesne University, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Stevens Institute of Technology, Pacific University- Oregon and more.
The Africa – US Presidential Forum on STEM/AI is part of a campaign to give Africans the opportunity to study STEM and AI in the United States, Canada and other developed countries to be rolled out in September 2023.
The campaign is driven by the multiple award-winning SOS Global Investments and the Nekotech Center’s African STEM & Sports Institute of Excellence (ASSIE) Prep School and Readiness College.
Malawian President, His Excellency Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, was excited saying the upcoming Africa – US Presidential Forum on STEM/AI in the U.S September between 20-22, 2023 is a welcome initiative to propel Africa beyond her current status.
He noted the tremendous benefits this programme would bring to equip Africans with the know- how and the wherewithal to liberate themselves and others from the quagmire of poverty, and rely on themselves instead of being beggars.
Provost and Executive Vice Chairman of Rutgers University, Newark-NJ spoke about their collaboration with SOS Global Investments and Nekotech Center through Professor Byron Price, formerly of Rutgers, now of the Medgar Evers College in NY- Nekotech’s Chairperson for Diaspora Engagement.
Provost Robinson touched on courses on offer at Rutgers University which includes STEM, AI, MBA and others to be offered to the incoming African students.
A partner of SOS/Nekotech, H.E. Dr. Justina Mutale described the program as “a great opportunity to give Africans global level education to make them competitive.
It will also provide education that fits the future needs of Africa and the future of work and the future of the world which is AI and the digital age.”
The program has students from Ghana, Sierra Leone, Malawi already in the USA studying and working and Zambian candidates with visas about to leave this August.
H.E. President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera was presented with a $2.5 million prep school scholarship pledge and access to $100 million educational loan for up to 1000 Malawians for 2024 to undertake high paying STEM/AI programs in the USA and Canada.
To register for the readiness program or to attend the Africa-US Presidential Forum in the US September 20-22 please go to;
www.nekotechcenter.org or email:
Info@nekotechcenter.org.
Godfred Sey/Ahotoronline.com
