Queens University Belfast, a United Kingdom-based institution, has announced a four-week Summer School scholarship program package for undergraduates in Nigeria and other African countries.
The institution said that the scholarship package, offered as part of its Summer School program, is designed to provide students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new academic and cultural environment; ease the financial burden on students and allow them to pursue their academic interests while expanding their knowledge.
Queen’s University Belfast is ranked among the top 200 universities worldwide.
In the first cohort offered to African undergraduates, three Nigerian undergraduates won a scholarship.
The successful recipients, Ahmad Tijjani Attahir, Nile University Abuja (Computer Science), Male; Adedife Aishat Adigun, Osun State University (English & International Business), Female; and Anuoluwapo Diekolomo Olukayode, Bowen University (Computer Science), Male were selected based on their representation of Nigerian tribal, religious, and gender diversity.
It also noted that these scholarships would cover tuition, course materials, field trips including transport, social activities, Queen’s Sport Off-Peak membership, Certificate/Transcript, Queens University Hoodie, and 20% tuition discount on first-year future MSc program.
The benefits attached to the programme include a tuition fee of £1,400, an accommodation fee of £1,300, a 20 percent Master’s degree study discount, a course certificate and transcript, future academic reference letters from the university and a UK visa and travel profile.
Speaking of the scholarship, Dr. Ilesanmi Olade, a Nigerian lecturer at the university, said he strongly believes African students ought to have access to education at a “university that supports diversity in access to education”.
“I teach undergraduate students, and during the summer period, I teach the EEECS Summer School program. I joined QUB in 2021 and volunteered to teach at the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS) annual summer school program for the Department of Electronics, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science (EEECS)”, Dr. Olade said.
“Upon observing that a high majority of the yearly attendees were Chinese students, with no record of African students attending QUB Summer School in recent years, I raised this matter at various meetings.”
“I explained that African students are unable to afford the high cost of the summer school program and since the university supports diversity in access to education, there should be a sort of scholarship to allow African students to attend the summer school program.”
He added that support was received from Dr. Wasif Naeem, Director of Internationalisation, who provided tuition scholarships valued at £1,400 to each of the three African attendees. Further support was provided by Professor David Rooney and Dr. Thai Son Mai.
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