Vodafone Zambia has awarded a k40,000 one year scholarship to a University of Zambia (UNZA) student Nelly Banda. This is part of a new initiative by the telecommunication giant to sponsor four students at the institution as part of the new campaign called “My Student Life”.
Nelly Banda, a first year student under Unza’s School of Distance Education was drawn as the inaugural winner of the scholarship scheme under the 4G network’s initiative that is targeted at University and College students with a package that includes full tuition for one academic year at the winner’s current learning institution.
Speaking at the presentation held at the University of Zambia (UNZA) Great East Road campus on Friday, Chief Executive Officer at Vodafone Zambia, Lars Stork, said the corporation was very elated about the opportunity to help ensure every Zambian youth gets the opportunity to have access to quality education.
“Our ‘My Student Life – Win a scholarship’ offer was launched on the 26th of January 2017. Since then, we have seen thousands of students express interest in what we’re all about as a business. We have invested over K200 000 in this campaign and are looking forward to investing further. I’d like to congratulate Nelly Banda for being the first of four lucky scholarship awardees, and we look forward to seeing the rest,” he said.
Delighted Nelly expressed gratitude and thanked Vodafone and emphasized the need for the private sector to get involved in the welfare of university and college goers. “This is a life changing experience and Vodafone have really shown us what they truly represent,” she said.
Also speaking at the same event the University of Zambia (UNZA) Dean of Students, Mr Lastone T. Zgambo, expressed his delight at the fruitful and mutually beneficial relationship the university shares with the next-generation operator.
“We are constantly impressed with the work Vodafone is doing, particularly with students from the University of Zambia, through the student ambassador programme, the JUMP Academy, and now the My Student Life offer. Any organization that takes such a keen interest in the education of young people deserves to be commended and i wish other corporations can emulate the example set by Vodafone,” he said.
The My Student Life – Win a scholarship initiative forms part of Vodafone Zambia’s commitment to enhancing the nation’s learning landscape for students. Last month, the operator launched the JUMP Academy, an internet-enabled tool that offers unlimited access to a wide range of educational materials, tailored to the local curriculum and accessible through any internet-enabled device.