Students from 30 schools across Rwanda attended a college fair at the U.S. Embassy in Kigali on Friday to learn about scholarship opportunities for pursuing post-secondary education abroad.

The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program is a $500-million, 10-year initiative providing students from around the world an opportunity to study in American and Canadian universities.

Scholarships will be awarded to an estimated 15,000 students who have demonstrated academic talent, community involvement and leadership potential.

The scholars program has a particular interest in students from disadvantaged backgrounds in Sub-Saharan Africa and aims to provide them with an education that will allow them to lead positive social change in their communities after graduation.

"Rwandan students are studying across America and embracing all America has to offer as a source of education and they are bringing that knowledge back to their country,” said Jessica Lepann, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy.

Lepann said each year more students from Rwanda are attending American universities.

In the 2007-2008 school year there were 270 students from Rwanda studying across the United States, and that number doubled within four years.

"This scholarship is going to change university education and provide an opportunity for qualified and deserving students whose only barrier to achieving their full potential is poverty,” said Peter Thorp, headmaster of Gashora Girls Academy in the Eastern Province.

The MasterCard scholarships are comprehensive, covering airfare, tuition, books, living expenses and more. 

Five U.S. partner institutions from the MasterCard Scholars Program attended the College Fair including Duke University, Michigan State University, Stanford University, The University of California-Berkley and Wellesley College. Representatives from the colleges highlighted the opportunities and experiences their campuses could offer to students from Rwanda.

Students interested in information on how to apply to American universities may visit the advising centre called ‘Education USA’, located at the U.S. Embassy in Kigali. The centre has advisors who can assist students in accessing U.S. higher education opportunities.