As part of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, the Mastercard Foundation and the University of Rwanda today announced a 10-year, $55 million partnership to provide higher education access to 1,200 young Africans, with a focus on women pursuing STEM, young people with disabilities, and refugee and displaced youth.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, which began in 2012, is dedicated to building Africa’s next generation of transformative leaders by providing skills training, leadership development, counseling, mentorship, internships, and career assistance to economically disadvantaged students.
To present, the Scholars Program has awarded almost 40,000 scholarships.
The University of Rwanda, founded in 2013, is Rwanda’s largest and most comprehensive higher education institution, with a mission to develop transformative and entrepreneurial leaders who contribute to the creation of a more equitable and sustainable world.
Reeta Roy, President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation, remarked, “We are happy that the University of Rwanda has joined the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.” “The University’s mission and programs are closely tied to the country’s national ambitions. That is why this relationship is so appealing because it will prepare young people for professions in a variety of fields as well as real-world problem-solving,” she noted.
The new partnership will strengthen the University of Rwanda’s ability to provide inclusive, blended learning and contribute to a healthy knowledge ecosystem that helps young people find new and fulfilling jobs.
It is in line with the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works initiative, which aims to provide dignified and rewarding work to 30 million young Africans, particularly young African women, by 2030.
Professor Alexandre Lyambabaje, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Rwanda, stated, “The University of Rwanda believes passionately in the goal of the Mastercard Foundation.” “That is why we decided to work with the Foundation to expand our efforts in developing transformative leaders and highly enterprising graduates who can make a difference on the African continent. This program is in line with Rwanda’s National Transformation Strategy, and it will have an impact at the University of Rwanda, among our stakeholders, and within the East African Community.”
The University of Rwanda has joined a global network of 29 Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Partners dedicated to ensuring that all young people, regardless of their starting point in life, have an equal opportunity to get a quality education and pursue their goals.
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