MasterCard Foundation beneficiaries donate to Bosomtwe-Oyoko SHS
Beneficiaries of the MasterCard Foundation scholarship programme (Mastercard Foundation Scholars) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have donated educational materials and waste bins to the Bosomtwe-Oyoko Community Day Senior High School (SHS) in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti region.
A combined team of students studying under the 3+1+1 International Accelerated Degree Programme (IADP) at Arizona State University (ASU), USA, and the KNUST, made the presentation as part of the Scholars’ International Day of Service.
The Scholars’ International Day of Service is a day set aside globally for scholars to give back to their immediate communities.
About 3+1+1
The 3+1+1 module allows the beneficiaries to study three years at the KNUST, continue at Arizona for a year to complete their undergraduate programme and have another one year opportunity to pursue a Master's programme.
Last year, as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic, the beneficiaries were unable to physically transition to ASU to commence the academic year, hence, an arrangement was made for them to study virtually at ASU in KNUST.
Reasons
The Scholars representative, Mr Abraham Kudiabor, said he was hopeful that just like them (the beneficiaries) the items as well as their physical presence would motivate them to pursue their academic dreams in the face of poverty.
Motivation
The Chief Counselor of MasterCard Foundation Scholars programme, KNUST, Rev Father Dr Stephen Jantuah, urged the students to work in accordance with their motto “Dedication and hard work” to be able to achieve their dreams.
He encouraged them to aim high and concentrate on their studies as that should be their first priority.
Manager
The Programmes Manager for the foundation, KNUST, Ms Afia Ampomah Awuah, said the programme offers scholarships to students who have completed SHS with goods grades but are unbale to pursue tertiary education due to the lack of funds.
She urged the beneficiaries to share the good news to friends in such situations to take advantage of the programme
School
The Senior Housemaster of the School, Mr Philip Asamoah Gyamfi expressed gratitude to the scholars and the foundation at KNUST for the gesture.
He promised to put the items to good use while urging other organisations to emulate the gesture.
Partnership
The ASU-KNUST 3+1+1 International Accelerated Degree Programme (IADP) is a partnership, sponsored by the Mastercard Foundation, Toronto-Canada, between Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme at Arizona State University (ASU) in USA, and Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme at KNUST.
The partnership, which began in August 2016 has grown to recruit a total of 130 from KNUST pursuing undergraduate studies in Engineering (BSc. Biomedical Engineering, BSc. Mechanical Engineering, BSc. Materials Engineering and BSc. Civil Engineering) and in Business Administration (BSc. Logistics and Supply Chain Management, BSc. Business Information Technology, BSc. Human Resource Management and BSc. Finance).