The students hailing from all over Zimbabwe, are graduates of the United States Achievers Program: an initiative which assists academically gifted student leaders from economically disadvantaged backgrounds negotiate the application process to top United States of America colleges and universities.
The 21 beneficiaries of the scholarships, are set to pursue different degree programmes over the next four years at various colleges and universities such as Michigan, Arizona, Harvard and Brown universities among others.
Addressing delegates at the students’ send off ceremony at Prince Edward High School in Harare yesterday, US Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Bruce Wharton pledged his country’s commitment to the provision of quality education for Zimbabwean students.
Wharton said: “This group represents over 300 USAP students who have received scholarships after successfully completing the USAP.
“Their achievements reflect that the US has committed over $70 million towards the provision of quality higher education to students in Zimbabwe who have made an impact in various aspects of Zimbabwean life,” said Wharton.
Education USA Country Coordinator, Rebecca Zeigler Mano commended USAP students for their academic performance and said ‘they had exhibited great potential towards positive change in all aspects of their lives and communities’.
She said: “The experience of USAP students studying in the USA over the past 13 years has been exceptionally positive.
“Many have worked with professors as teaching assistants or in academic research, especially in mathematics and science related fields.”
Mano added that: “The students initiated a wide variety of initiatives some of which include community service and leadership activities on campus and their surrounding communities. Their collective accomplishments make us proud.”
One of the beneficiaries of the scholarships Stancellous Matoreva who is going to study at Harvard University expressed gratitude to the US Embassy initiative and said: "We will do our best to ensure the development of our communities and the country."
Established in 1999, the USAP initiative finances all costs of the students’ application process, including registration fees for required standardized examinations, visa fees and air tickets and provides free membership to the Education USA Advising Centre.
The program has been replicated in over 12 countries some of which include Brazil, Zambia, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Ecuador and Colombia among others.
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