Harare - United States colleges and universities have provided US$4.5 million worth of scholarships to 20 disadvantaged but academically gifted Zimbabwean students who were selected for the United States Achievers Program (USAP) in 2009. The students were honored at a send off ceremony on Friday witnessed by parents, students, teachers, and representatives from business and non- governmental organizations.
U.S. Ambassador Charles Ray congratulated the students and called on Zimbabweans to prioritize rebuilding the education sector.
Zimbabwe used to boast the highest literacy rate in Africa and indeed the strongest education system on the continent due to the cultural value Zimbabweans placed on education. Sadly, that system has suffered from the political and economic setbacks of this past decade. Rebuilding education needs to be one of the top priorities of this nation, said the U.S. Ambassador.
Said Ray: After nine months as President Barack Obamas representative in Zimbabwe, amid daily reports of challenges and uphill battles, it is with hope that I view young, bright, dedicated people like yourselves and your potential to change both my country and this country for the better, said the U.S. Ambassador.
USAP, an initiative of the EducationUSA Advising Center in Zimbabwe, enrolls students every year. The 20 students were selected from over 500 applications from Zimbabwes10 provinces. A group of 33 upper sixth students were recently selected for the 2010 class after the Embassy reviewed 1000 applications from throughout Zimbabwe. USAP assists students to negotiate the costly college application process, covering all expenses and providing tutorials. The U.S. colleges and universities provide the scholarships.
Rebecca Zeigler-Mano, EducationUSA coordinator, said the experience of USAP students studying in the United States in the past has been extremely positive. Academically, they have all performed extremely well, and many have worked with professors as teaching assistants or in academic research, especially in Math and Science fields, said Zeigler-Mano.
Socially, they have been engaged in, and have spearheaded, a wide variety of initiatives clubs, sports, music and dance troupes, community service and leadership activities on campus. USAP students have also returned home to Zimbabwe to make significant contributions to positive change and development in their home communities.
USAP has been replicated in 14 other countries around the world. This year, U.S. colleges and universities have provided 50 students from 11 countries with US$15.2 million worth of scholarships. The other 30 students are drawn from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Malawi, Mongolia, Nigeria, Serbia, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia.
The students- Chido Matara (Berea College); Collence Nyazenga (Haverford College); Desmond Rgwaringesu (Reed College); Dresdiana Mavindidze (Amherst College); Elvis Rambanapasi (Quinnipiac College); Esther Saidi (Philander Smith College); Farai Masaira (Jacobs University); Hazel Zengeni ( MIT); Norman Chamusah (College of Wooster); Rudo Mudzi (Mount Holyoke College); Rujeko Chinomona (Georgia College and State University); Rumbidzai Vushe ( Smith College); Senzeni Mpofu (Yale University); Tatenda Mushonga (University of Pennsylvania); Tawanda Chipwanya (Middlebury College); Tendai T. T. Mudyiwa (Kalamazoo College); Thelma Chiremba (Grinnell College); Tinashe Mubvuma (Swarthmore College); Tracy Lukwani (Mount Holyoke College) and Trust Mandevhana (Williams College)- begin their studies in August this year. The scholarships cover tuition and fees, room and board, books and other expenses for four year bachelor degree studies.
There are currently over 200 Zimbabwean USAP graduates on full scholarships in the U.S.
Post published in: News
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