Rwf8bn MasterCard Foundation deal to boost engineering skills

Rwanda’s quest to bridge the deficit in engineering skills across various disciplines received a boost, yesterday, following a commitment by MasterCard Foundation to avail $10.8 million (about Rwf8 billion) for higher education learning at Carnegie Mellon University in Kigali. The partnership, which targets 125 ‘talented but economically disadvantaged’ scholars from sub-Saharan Africa, will take in the first batch of students beginning this year. Of the 125 beneficiaries from the region, about 50 are expected to come from Rwanda. Carnegie Mellon president Subra Suresh, who was in the country, said their nature of intervention and support was largely informed by the fact that Africa’s continued growth would require a pool of skills empowered with the latest engineering and ICT skills. The MasterCard Foundation chief, Dr Jendayi Frazer speaks to the media as Minister Musafiri looks on. “Increasingly people conducting businesses in Africa have noticed that as the fastest growing workforce in the world, Africa’s youth have the potential to be the largest resource toward ambition of becoming a knowledge-based economy. Empowered with the latest technology and skills, these bright young people are key to propelling African economic development,” Suresh said. He noted that the international acclaimed university had experience working in the country through a partnership with the government that has seen about 70 students go through the institution for Masters programmes. “Through the foresight and visionary leadership of the Government of Rwanda, Carnegie Mellon University world class engineering degree programmes in Kigali have become one of the most reputable international private-public partnerships in the world in higher education in East Africa,” he noted. ‘Unleashing potentials’ Going forward, Suresh said, the newly-forged partnership would work to present opportunities for scholars to unleash their potential, and to engage and innovate to bring transformative change throughout the continent. The beneficiaries will receive a package of comprehensive scholarships that includes transformative leadership development skills as well as industry driven career services. Subra Suresh, president of Carnegie Mellon University chats with Education Minister Papias Musafiri as the MasterCard Foundation chief, Jendayi Frazer listens during the meeting yesterday. (Photos by Faustin Niyigena) Such higher learning courses have previously been financially out of reach for a large number of scholars who fail to get scholarships. On average, an engineering programme at the university cost an estimated $86,000.Jendayi Frazer, a board member of the Mastercard Foundation, said the development was an intervention seeking to address shortage of skilled technical professionals in ICT fields as well support Rwanda’s quest to build a strong sector in the country and in the region. “With continued economic growth and rise on the global stage, Africa will need tech leaders and entrepreneurs to develop and innovate in ICT and create knowledge in the region,” she the former US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. Education minister Papias Musafiri said the support would play a significant role in bridging the persistent gap in engineering skills in the country. He added that it would also help ensure gender balance in STEM skills that has long favoured boys. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Rwf8bn MasterCard Foundation deal to boost engineering skills