By Moses Patience Chat
The African Energy Chamber(AEC) has launched an annual Energy Scholarship Fund under efforts to expand the participation of youth in energy.
According to the Executive Chairman of AEC, NJ Ayuk, the Energy Education Fund is an annual programme aimed at supporting young individuals across Africa who are pursuing undergraduate studies in oil, gas and energy-related fields.
The application cycle for the scholarship award runs from June 2023 to 31 August 2023, and the recipients will be announced at African Energy Week 2023 which is AEC’s premier event for Africa’s energy sector.
Ayuk revealed that the Education Fund will collaborate with educational institutions to offer scholarships, grants, and mentorship programmes to deserving students in the continent and those studying in diaspora.
In addition to the recognition and prestige associated with the AEC Energy Scholarship Award, the recipients will receive financial support ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.
This funding, according to AEC is intended to ease the financial burden of pursuing higher education and enable the scholars to focus on their studies and professional development in the energy sector.
The Energy Education Fund will recognize and reward 8 exceptional students, with special consideration given to female students. Eligible applicants for the award, must be under 35 years of age and must have enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate level studies in any oil, gas or energy-related field.
The selection process will strictly be on academic excellence to ensure that recipients have demonstrated exceptional performance in their studies.
Ayuk explianed that the education fund comes at a critical time when Africa is witnessing rapid advancements in gas and renewable energy, presenting immense opportunities for economic growth and environmental sustainability.
He added that AEC is committed to providing financial aid and educational resources to talented African students from Nigeria, South Africa to Egypt, Ivory Coast and Namibia.
According to him, the support fund aims at nurturing the brightest minds in the energy sector to enable them contribute effectively to the continent’s energy transition and project development landscape and that by investing in education and professional development, a new generation of skilled professionals who will contribute to Africa’s energy transformation and project development in gas, nuclear, hydrogen and other renewable energies projects will emerge.
“When we empower the next generation of energy leaders, we empower Africa. We believe that by empowering young individuals with knowledge and financial support, we are fostering a brighter future for the energy industry in Africa. Through this scholarship, we aim to recognize academic excellence, promote diversity, and provide valuable opportunities for young professionals to engage with industry leaders. Together, we can shape a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous energy landscape for Africa,” the AEC Boss said.
