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    Bristol Myers Squibb One Young World Scholarship 2023 (Fully Funded to attend the 2023 One Young World Summit in Belfast, Northern Ireland)

    Bristol Myers Squibb One Young World Scholarship 2023 (Fully Funded to attend the 2023 One Young World Summit in Belfast, Northern Ireland)

    The Mawazo Institute Fellowship Programme 2023 for African women PhD students

    The Mawazo Institute Fellowship Programme 2023 for African women PhD students

    The Sahara Group 2023 Graduate Management Trainee Program for young graduates.

    The Sahara Group 2023 Graduate Management Trainee Program for young graduates.

    Baker Hughes 12-months Graduate Internship Programme 2023 for young Africans.

    Baker Hughes 12-months Graduate Internship Programme 2023 for young Africans.

    AIMS South Africa/DeepMind AI for Science Master’s Scholarship Program 2023 for young Africans. (Fully Funded)

    AIMS South Africa/DeepMind AI for Science Master’s Scholarship Program 2023 for young Africans. (Fully Funded)

    Google for Startups Accelerator: Women Founders Africa Program for women-led tech startups

    Google for Startups Accelerator: Women Founders Africa Program for women-led tech startups

    The Jasiri Talent Investor Program 2023 for young East African Entrepreneurs.

    The Jasiri Talent Investor Program 2023 for young East African Entrepreneurs.

    Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships 2023/2024 (for low and middle-income countries) to Study in the United Kingdom (Fully Funded)

    Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships 2023/2024 (for low and middle-income countries) to Study in the United Kingdom (Fully Funded)

    GTCO Kenya Orange Tribe Graduate Trainee Program 2023 for young Kenya graduates.

    GTCO Kenya Orange Tribe Graduate Trainee Program 2023 for young Kenya graduates.

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    This 82-year-old veteran journalist fulfills his 40-year-old dream, bags Ph.D. in Journalism from UNILAG

    This 82-year-old veteran journalist fulfills his 40-year-old dream, bags Ph.D. in Journalism from UNILAG

    Wendy Okolo: 26-year-old Nigerian woman becomes first black woman to obtain PhD in Aerospace Engineering from University of Texas, wins US Government award

    Wendy Okolo: 26-year-old Nigerian woman becomes first black woman to obtain PhD in Aerospace Engineering from University of Texas, wins US Government award

    32-year-old housemaid bags university degree after 12 years of caring for others

    32-year-old housemaid bags university degree after 12 years of caring for others

    Nicole Lynn becomes first Black woman agent to represent an NFL quarterback in the Super Bowl

    Nicole Lynn becomes first Black woman agent to represent an NFL quarterback in the Super Bowl

    Young Nigerian Lady sets record, bags Bachelors degree at 19, Masters at 22 and PhD at 25 years old

    Young Nigerian Lady sets record, bags Bachelors degree at 19, Masters at 22 and PhD at 25 years old

    Nigeria: Replacing imported baby foods with local production

    Nigeria: Replacing imported baby foods with local production

    Kenyan company seeks to change the skincare game with Korean technology

    Kenyan company seeks to change the skincare game with Korean technology

    17-year-old genius who graduated from high school at age 11 is on set to bags her doctorate this year

    17-year-old genius who graduated from high school at age 11 is on set to bags her doctorate this year

    Scrapays co-founder Boluwatife Arewa

    Making money from waste in Nigeria

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      Wendy Okolo: 26-year-old Nigerian woman becomes first black woman to obtain PhD in Aerospace Engineering from University of Texas, wins US Government award

      Wendy Okolo: 26-year-old Nigerian woman becomes first black woman to obtain PhD in Aerospace Engineering from University of Texas, wins US Government award

      32-year-old housemaid bags university degree after 12 years of caring for others

      32-year-old housemaid bags university degree after 12 years of caring for others

      Nicole Lynn becomes first Black woman agent to represent an NFL quarterback in the Super Bowl

      Nicole Lynn becomes first Black woman agent to represent an NFL quarterback in the Super Bowl

      Young Nigerian Lady sets record, bags Bachelors degree at 19, Masters at 22 and PhD at 25 years old

      Young Nigerian Lady sets record, bags Bachelors degree at 19, Masters at 22 and PhD at 25 years old

      Nigeria: Replacing imported baby foods with local production

      Nigeria: Replacing imported baby foods with local production

      Kenyan company seeks to change the skincare game with Korean technology

      Kenyan company seeks to change the skincare game with Korean technology

      17-year-old genius who graduated from high school at age 11 is on set to bags her doctorate this year

      17-year-old genius who graduated from high school at age 11 is on set to bags her doctorate this year

      Francesca Opoku

      Ghana: Building an export-oriented skincare company

      Amazing story – Meet 23yr old Jessikah Inaba, UK’s first black and blind barrister

      Amazing story – Meet 23yr old Jessikah Inaba, UK’s first black and blind barrister

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        Bristol Myers Squibb One Young World Scholarship 2023 (Fully Funded to attend the 2023 One Young World Summit in Belfast, Northern Ireland)

        Bristol Myers Squibb One Young World Scholarship 2023 (Fully Funded to attend the 2023 One Young World Summit in Belfast, Northern Ireland)

        The Mawazo Institute Fellowship Programme 2023 for African women PhD students

        The Mawazo Institute Fellowship Programme 2023 for African women PhD students

        The Sahara Group 2023 Graduate Management Trainee Program for young graduates.

        The Sahara Group 2023 Graduate Management Trainee Program for young graduates.

        Baker Hughes 12-months Graduate Internship Programme 2023 for young Africans.

        Baker Hughes 12-months Graduate Internship Programme 2023 for young Africans.

        AIMS South Africa/DeepMind AI for Science Master’s Scholarship Program 2023 for young Africans. (Fully Funded)

        AIMS South Africa/DeepMind AI for Science Master’s Scholarship Program 2023 for young Africans. (Fully Funded)

        Google for Startups Accelerator: Women Founders Africa Program for women-led tech startups

        Google for Startups Accelerator: Women Founders Africa Program for women-led tech startups

        The Jasiri Talent Investor Program 2023 for young East African Entrepreneurs.

        The Jasiri Talent Investor Program 2023 for young East African Entrepreneurs.

        Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships 2023/2024 (for low and middle-income countries) to Study in the United Kingdom (Fully Funded)

        Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships 2023/2024 (for low and middle-income countries) to Study in the United Kingdom (Fully Funded)

        GTCO Kenya Orange Tribe Graduate Trainee Program 2023 for young Kenya graduates.

        GTCO Kenya Orange Tribe Graduate Trainee Program 2023 for young Kenya graduates.

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        This 82-year-old veteran journalist fulfills his 40-year-old dream, bags Ph.D. in Journalism from UNILAG

        This 82-year-old veteran journalist fulfills his 40-year-old dream, bags Ph.D. in Journalism from UNILAG

        Wendy Okolo: 26-year-old Nigerian woman becomes first black woman to obtain PhD in Aerospace Engineering from University of Texas, wins US Government award

        Wendy Okolo: 26-year-old Nigerian woman becomes first black woman to obtain PhD in Aerospace Engineering from University of Texas, wins US Government award

        32-year-old housemaid bags university degree after 12 years of caring for others

        32-year-old housemaid bags university degree after 12 years of caring for others

        Nicole Lynn becomes first Black woman agent to represent an NFL quarterback in the Super Bowl

        Nicole Lynn becomes first Black woman agent to represent an NFL quarterback in the Super Bowl

        Young Nigerian Lady sets record, bags Bachelors degree at 19, Masters at 22 and PhD at 25 years old

        Young Nigerian Lady sets record, bags Bachelors degree at 19, Masters at 22 and PhD at 25 years old

        Nigeria: Replacing imported baby foods with local production

        Nigeria: Replacing imported baby foods with local production

        Kenyan company seeks to change the skincare game with Korean technology

        Kenyan company seeks to change the skincare game with Korean technology

        17-year-old genius who graduated from high school at age 11 is on set to bags her doctorate this year

        17-year-old genius who graduated from high school at age 11 is on set to bags her doctorate this year

        Scrapays co-founder Boluwatife Arewa

        Making money from waste in Nigeria

        Trending Tags

        • Yes We Can
          • All
          • Persons with disability
          • Sheroes of Africa
          • Super Teens
          • Wonder Kids
          • Young Achievers
          Wendy Okolo: 26-year-old Nigerian woman becomes first black woman to obtain PhD in Aerospace Engineering from University of Texas, wins US Government award

          Wendy Okolo: 26-year-old Nigerian woman becomes first black woman to obtain PhD in Aerospace Engineering from University of Texas, wins US Government award

          32-year-old housemaid bags university degree after 12 years of caring for others

          32-year-old housemaid bags university degree after 12 years of caring for others

          Nicole Lynn becomes first Black woman agent to represent an NFL quarterback in the Super Bowl

          Nicole Lynn becomes first Black woman agent to represent an NFL quarterback in the Super Bowl

          Young Nigerian Lady sets record, bags Bachelors degree at 19, Masters at 22 and PhD at 25 years old

          Young Nigerian Lady sets record, bags Bachelors degree at 19, Masters at 22 and PhD at 25 years old

          Nigeria: Replacing imported baby foods with local production

          Nigeria: Replacing imported baby foods with local production

          Kenyan company seeks to change the skincare game with Korean technology

          Kenyan company seeks to change the skincare game with Korean technology

          17-year-old genius who graduated from high school at age 11 is on set to bags her doctorate this year

          17-year-old genius who graduated from high school at age 11 is on set to bags her doctorate this year

          Francesca Opoku

          Ghana: Building an export-oriented skincare company

          Amazing story – Meet 23yr old Jessikah Inaba, UK’s first black and blind barrister

          Amazing story – Meet 23yr old Jessikah Inaba, UK’s first black and blind barrister

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          Ghanaian millionaire quits Microsoft to build university that Educates young Africans

          March 31, 2015
          in Awards, Scholarships and Opportunities, Business, Education, Ghana
          Reading Time: 4 mins read
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          Ghanaian millionaire quits Microsoft to build university that Educates young Africans

          At a time when quite a number of Africans queue up at the embassies of foreign countries, with the hope of being granted visas into countries with ‘better living conditions’, a rare few like Patrick Awuah are sacrificing that to make a difference by returning home.
          In 2001, after living in America for almost two decades, Patrick Awuah returned to Ghana, leaving his job at Microsoft, where he earned millions as program manager to set up Ashesi University in Accra, to educate young Africans. “If the current leadership core was educated a certain way, if they were problem solvers, if they had deep compassion for society, we would be in a different place,” he thought. Hence, Ashesi University is known for its innovative curriculum, high tech facilities, and strong emphasis on leadership. The University stirs a new path in African education.
          In his TED Global talk in 2007, Patrick Awuah explains his call to educate Africa’s future leaders, and why he believes this is very important.
          At the age of 16 in Ghana, Patrick Awuah had his first memorable experience of leadership. At the airport to meet his father, he is stopped by two soldiers wielding AK-47 assault weapons. “They asked me to join a crowd of people that were running up and down this embankment. Why? Because the path I had taken was considered out of bounds. No sign to this effect,” he noted.
          Typical of teenagers, Patrick was quite concerned of what his peers, especially girls, would think if they saw him running up and down the hill. So he argued with soldiers. Luckily for him, a pilot falls into the same predicament. The soldiers addressed him differently because he wore a uniform; they explained that they were only following orders. The pilot takes their radio, talks to their boss, and gets everyone released. Patrick learnt several things from that experience. “Leadership matters – those men are following the orders of a superior officer. I learned something about courage – it was important not to look at those guns.”

          A few years after that event, Patrick left Ghana to attend Swarthmore College in the United States. “The faculty there didn’t want us to memorise information and repeat back to them as I was used to back in Ghana. They wanted us to think critically. They wanted us to be analytical. They wanted us to be concerned about social issues.” At Swarthmore, Patrick got high marks for his understanding of basic economics in his economic classes, but the deeper lesson was that, the leaders, the managers of Ghana’s economy were making really bad decisions, some of which had fuelled the near-collapse of the country’s economy. “And so here was this lesson again – leadership matters. It matters a great deal,” he explained.
          In spite of Patrick’s Epiphany at Swarthmore, it wasn’t until he started working at Microsoft Corporation that he realised it. “I was part of this team, this thinking, learning team whose job it was to design and implement new software that created value in the world…. And I realised just what had happened to me at Swarthmore … The ability to confront problem, complex problems, and to design solutions to those problems. The ability to create is the most empowering thing that can happen to an individual.”
          At Microsoft, Patrick became a parent. The thought of his children’s perception of Africa in comparison to the rest of the world instigated a desire to return home and change the overwhelming narrative that portrayed the dark continent. He was determined to contribute his quota towards the continents development.
          On his return 14 years ago, he found out that for every problem three things kept coming up; corruption, weak institutions, and the people who run them – the leaders. Patrick asked two very important questions: where are these leaders coming from? What is it about Ghana that produces leaders that are unethical or unable to solve problems?
          In search of answers, he scanned the country’s educational system and realised that nothing had changed during his time away. “It was the same learning by rote, from primary school through graduate school. Very little emphasis on ethics … and the typical graduate from a university in Ghana has a stronger sense of entitlement than a sense of responsibility. This is wrong.” Patrick’s resolve to address this problem resulted in the conception and birth of Ashesi University, an institution launched to develop young African leaders. “Every society must be very intentional about educating its leaders … so this is what I’m doing now. I’m trying to bring the experience I had at Swarthmore to Africa. What Ashesi University is trying to do, is to train a new generation of ethical, entrepreneurial leaders. We’re trying to train leaders of exceptional integrity, who have the ability to confront the complex problems, ask the right questions, and come up with workable solutions.”
          Ashesi started with 30 students in 2002 in a rented building. Today the university campus is set on a 100 acre land near Aburi, an hour’s drive from Ghana’s capital, Accra, with over 500 students. The academic curriculum is a blend of Liberal arts and Sciences. “we’re going to educate computer science students who’ve also done philosophy, and leadership, and ethics … we’re going to educate business majors who’ve studied literature and have also done computer programming because we think that broad perspectives are important,” a bullish Patrick told the audience at the TEDEx talk.
          — Latest updates on facebook post shares and FB post likes here only.
          The university has an Honour Code, where the students pledge to be honest and to hold each other accountable. The students of Ashesi University take ownership of their ethical posture on campus. “This is a huge break from the norm in most African universities, where corrupt practices run free,”Patrick says. “While the Honour Code may constitute a reach for a perfect society, which is unachievable, we cannot achieve perfection, but if we reach for it, we can achieve excellence.”
          If more exceptionally minded and critical thinking individuals like Patrick Awuah would rise to the occasion of transforming Africa, the continent will make great strides in ridding itself off corruption, weak institutions, and most importantly unethical and inefficient leaders.
          credit – www.ventures-africa.com
           

          Nigerian mum of 3 becomes first black woman to bag PhD in Pure Mathematics, breaks 149-year-old jinx
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          Nigerian mum of 3 becomes first black woman to bag PhD in Pure Mathematics, breaks 149-year-old jinx

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          1. Prince Kofi Amoabeng (CEO of UT Bank in Ghana) – My story 2
          2. Dr. Patrick Awuah, Receives Two Extraordinary Honors
          3. Prince Kofi Amoabeng (CEO of UT Bank in Ghana) – My story
          4. Startup snapshot: Ghanaian company training a new generation of data scientists
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