Skilled and well-trained professionals in the STEM fields are necessary to accelerate innovation, economic growth and development progress in Africa. Last year, Rutgers joined the East African Development Bank (EADB) and The Africa-America Institute as an institutional partner on a 12-month fully-funded scholarship program that enables experienced teachers and lecturers from EADB member states Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda to earn a postgraduate degree in science, technology, engineering, or math.
The scholars came to Rutgers and began coursework through the School of Graduate Studies at Rutgers–New Brunswick in fall 2016. Jerome Kukor, dean of the School of Graduate Studies, said “our graduate education provides domestic and international students with advanced training for their chosen fields, developing leaders who will contribute to knowledge through original research, teach future generations, and solve problems of importance to society.”
On August 9, 2017, Rutgers celebrated the completion of the program during a luncheon honoring the scholarship awardees. Barbara Lee, senior vice president for academic affairs and Rick Garf
unkel, vice president for international affairs attended the luncheon to present congratulatory gifts and Rutgers memorabilia to the scholars. Scholars received full tuition and room and living expenses within a stipulated budget. Recipients of the EADB award commit to returning to their home country to teach in a public educational institution. For more information on the program, visit http://www.aaionline.org/programs/eadb/.