The Equity Group Foundation has sent 113 Equity Leadership Program (ELP) scholars who have secured admission and scholarships to join 71 global universities.
The scholars, eight of them Ugandans and some of them refugees, have secured scholarships valued at $21,497,646 for the 4-year duration of their undergraduate studies in 22 different countries. The 113 scholars are drawn from the Equity Leaders Program in four countries – Kenya (82), Rwanda (21), Uganda (8) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (2).
Speaking at a dedication and flag- off ceremony to celebrate the scholars before they travel outside the country for their studies, Dr. James Mwangi, Equity Group Foundation Executive Chairman challenged the students to be agents of change, leveraging the knowledge, values and skills they will acquire to address Africa’s development challenges.
“As you embark on this journey, remember to stay adaptable and embrace every challenge with integrity. Embrace the journey ahead and be open to different cultures and perspectives and let your unique qualities shine. Build strong networks and innovate to create lasting solutions for your community and invest in your ability to overcome challenges and find new approaches as this will be your greatest asset,” he said.
Dr. Mwangi emphasized the role of the scholars in driving Africa’s socio-economic growth, particularly within the framework of the Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan (ARRP) a multi-pronged, private sector driven and holistic solution to achieve social and economic transformation of Africa championed by the Equity Group.
“By establishing your networks and contributing ideas and solutions on how to bolster Africa’s economic potential, you can grow trade and investment on the continent, you can expand markets and accelerate technology adoption to elevate our potential,” he said. “Your contributions will be instrumental in creating a more prosperous future for our continent.”
The Equity Group leadership led by Equity Group Foundation Executive Chairman, Dr. James Mwangi (centre) together with the Equity Leaders Program (ELP) scholars who will be joining 71 global universities in 22 Counties.
The scholars will be joining universities in different continents across the globe including North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Under EGF’s Education and Leadership Development pillar, the scholars who were also on boarded into Equity Bank’s paid-internship program, benefited from a comprehensive two-month College Counseling program where scholars received expert guidance on essay writing, university selection, and exam preparation. Additionally, a week-long boot camp equipped them with the necessary skills to navigate the transition to university life and thrive as global scholars.
Speaking during the Airlift Ceremony, Jackie Bakku, an ELP Scholar joining European University Viadrina to study Bachelor of Science in International Business Administration, noted, “The support network I found within Equity during my ELP journey has been instrumental to my success.”
ELP Scholars display their congratulatory letters at Uganda Church House today
She grew up at Ayilo I Refugee Camp, later Studied at St Mary’s Assumpta Girls School in Adjumani, where she scored 13 points.
“There were times I gave up and didn’t believe in myself. The Equity team’s encouragement was like a steady hand guiding me through challenging moments and it’s incredible to think about how my life has transformed from the adversity of a refugee camp to securing my place at a world-class university. This journey would not have been possible without the support system that Equity has provided,” Bakku said.
Trevor Paul Egaru, an ELP Scholar who hails from Gulu, is joining Moscow Aviation Institute, Russia USA, to study Aeronautical Engineering,
“In 2022, I sat for my UACE, emerging as the top boy in my district and joined the Equity Leaders Program. I was interning at Equity Bank Kajansi Branch. My advice to fellow scholars: let’s use our brains to help our communities. This opportunity should inspire us to do more for our country and people,” Pegaru said.
Francis Ocen, an ELP Scholar, joining the University of Georgia, USA, to study for a degree in Poultry Science said, “I must say the application process was tough, requiring endless dedication and a firm belief in my goals. But the love and firm hands of Equity staff kept pushing me to do my best. I am glad I didn’t give up because I would have missed studying a course that I am passionate about. I love farming and I want to change my community by setting up modern poultry farms.”
With this year’s admissions, a total of 970 students have successfully been admitted to prestigious universities on fully funded scholarships. This intake includes 13 students who will be joining Ivy League Universities including: Brown University (1), Columbia University (1), Harvard University (4), Princeton University (2), Cornell (1), and University of Pennsylvania (4).
The Equity Leaders Program (ELP) is an initiative of the Equity Group Foundation, established in 1998 to cultivate a new generation of future leaders. The first ELP scholar is today the Equity Group Chief Operating Officer. By identifying and nurturing top-performing students nationally from within Equity Group’s subsidiaries, ELP has become a catalyst for transformative change.
