The Airtel Africa Foundation has launched tech scholarships, a program designed to help undergraduates in Uganda pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) degrees.
According to the philanthropic arm of the telco, the Airtel Africa Foundation Tech Fellowship programme aims to empower the next generation of tech and innovation leaders, targeting 20 students from financially disadvantaged households.
The scholarships focus on students pursuing careers in IT, computer science, software engineering, data science, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
Applicants must be admitted as a first year students at Makerere University, ISBAT University, Uganda Christian University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and Kyambogo University.
This comes as UNESCO notes that the East African country has witnessed a considerable rise in STEM enrolment at the lower secondary level, largely driven by the government’s free secondary education policy and targeted initiatives aimed at expanding access.
However, enrolment at A-level and tertiary institutions remains disproportionately low.
The gap between early interest and sustained participation in STEM is especially concerning given Uganda’s critically high youth unemployment rate, which is estimated between 64% and 70% (Uganda Bureau of Statistics).
Against this backdrop, STEM careers represent more than academic pathways. They offer a route to meaningful employment, innovation, and long-term socio-economic mobility, noted United Nations agency.
Airtel went on to highlight that the academic support undertaking covers tuition, accommodation, academic materials, and a fixed stipend to cover core course expenses, with human capital management and business solutions provider, Q-Sourcing Servtec, coming on board as a partner to oversee the application and selection process.
Soumendra Sahun, managing director of Airtel Uganda, underlined that the project is poised to address the country's digital skills shortfall and strengthen its innovation ecosystem.
“The fellowship is designed to close the digital skills gap and strengthen Uganda’s innovation pipeline”, said Sahun.
“The initiative is part of Airtel Uganda’s brand promise of providing young Ugandans with the opportunity to unlock their potential,” added the company through a social media update.
Applicants can apply here
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