The Sunday Mail (Zimbabwe)

AU and Stanbic Bank offer scholarshi­ps to invest in and nurture Africa’s brightest minds

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Africa Zimbabwe partnershi­p funded to disadvanta­ged attend academic choice. possible Scholarshi­p programme the Provision out education through university’s high of University This scholarshi­ps Africa through which the for flying programme facility is Fund. will the that have understand­ing August poverty a University and background­s scholarshi­p the commence The students has critical will being Stanbic Stanbic formed 2020 been scholarshi­p cycles see of offered means intake. in made arose Bank Bank from their with fully that can an to a be beneficiar­ies sustainabl­e way. opportunit­y, to inequality women. be broken Education effective Potential and gap and and brightened has highly in the especially incomes offers bridging been future impactful proven in more and the for of a future educationa­l choices overall peace outcomes earnings community regarding level increase in conflicts attained. welfare healthcare, with are Better each also and greatly where population education. a increased high This has proportion in received in turn circumstan­ces translates a of basic the into empowered world for resilient all. nations communitie­s, and a better

Vice Professor Chancellor Munashe of Africa Furusa University said of the appreciate partnershi­p, Stanbic “We Bank immensely for coming on endeavour. board to Such partner partnershi­ps with us in form this the higher core education of strategic globally initiative­s and in allow networks for of the researcher­s, creation of academics powerful and industry leaders that are mutually beneficial and allow for the growth of both organizati­ons.

This programme is a prime example and rallying call for cross- cutting dialogue and engagement which ultimately foments sustained impact and global excellence and places us at par with our peers anywhere in the world.”

Speaking to the benefits that the scholarshi­p shall provide to the potential beneficiar­ies, he went on to say, “This comes at an opportune time when the future academic progressio­n of so many is uncertain.

In making the lives of our fortunate beneficiar­ies and families a little bit easier, we hope to provide for them a conducive environmen­t that shall allow focus, full participat­ion in the university community and a meaningful investment in the future of our local talent. Ours is a university that is student- driven and focused. We give our students the room to aspire as high as they can go and envision their lives and situations completely transforme­d.”

In a statement issued by the Bank’s

Chief Executive, Joshua

Tapambgwa, he outlined that education is a key focus area forming part of the financial institutio­n’s sustainabl­e corporate social responsibi­lity mandate. “We are pleased to be able to partner with AU which is one of the most diverse Universiti­es in the country as we push our agenda of providing sustainabl­e support to underprivi­leged or vulnerable students”, said Tapambgwa.

“This new partnershi­p compliment­s our already existing bursary fund which has seen many students attain their academic qualificat­ions over the years and we look forward to continuing on this journey with

AU”, he added.

The combined passions of Africa

University to increase access to world class education and of

Stanbic Bank to empower the youth of the continent have come together in a common cause for good that shall undoubtedl­y deliver change to the lives of those who need it the most. Such collaborat­ions between the education sector and big business set the stage for the achievemen­t of global developmen­t agendas and goals such as SDG 4 that calls for inclusive and equitable quality education and the promotion of lifelong all. learning opportunit­ies for

Africa of highly University specialize­d boasts and a number unique programmes that have been developed in close consultati­on with industry to graduate profession­als that are in demand, enterprisi­ng and highly trained.

With the shocks that the COVID- 19 pandemic has caused in education across the world, AU is ensuring that it keeps its students engaged and on track to successful­ly complete their programmes on time and with as little disruption as possible. This has seen the institutio­n put in place technologi­cal interventi­ons through firstly redesignin­g course content to be adapted to online teaching platforms and methods, upskilling its faculty and administra­tive staff in the latest technologi­es that best facilitate remote and collaborat­ive learning and working and most importantl­y, the upgrading of ICT infrastruc­ture and labs to enable virtual classrooms that are accessible from anywhere in Zimbabwe , the African continent and the world allowing for the implementa­tion of blended learning.

Stanbic Bank has a proven track record in the advancemen­t of human capital developmen­t with a raft of programmes that the Bank has created and supported in

Zimbabwe and beyond. Graduates from varying discipline­s have for years been engaged, mentored and trained by top profession­als in various arms of the banking sector, preparing the next generation of industry game changers and movers. Together, Stanbic Bank and

Africa University look forward to contributi­ng positively to the developmen­t and emancipati­on of

Africa through this and other collaborat­ions in the future.

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