Queens University Belfast, one of the United Kingdom’s top-ranking institutions, has launched a four-week Summer School scholarship program targeted at undergraduates from Nigeria and other African countries.
The university, ranked among the top 200 globally, announced that the initiative aims to provide African students with an immersive academic and cultural experience while easing the financial burden on participants.
As part of this new initiative, three Nigerian undergraduates have been awarded scholarships under the program’s first cohort.
The successful recipients include Ahmad Tijjani Attahir, studying Computer Science at Nile University, Abuja; Adedife Aishat Adigun, an English and International Business student from Osun State University; and Anuoluwapo Diekolomo Olukayode, a Computer Science student at Bowen University.
The scholarship covers a wide range of benefits, including tuition fees (£1,400), accommodation (£1,300), course materials, field trips, Queen’s Sport Off-Peak membership, a Certificate/Transcript, and a 20% tuition discount on the first year of future Master’s programs.
In addition, students receive academic references, a Queens University hoodie, and assistance with UK visa and travel arrangements.
Speaking about the program, Dr. Ilesanmi Olade, a Nigerian lecturer at Queens University Belfast, emphasised the importance of ensuring that African students have access to educational opportunities at institutions that value diversity.
Dr. Olade, who has been teaching in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences since 2021, noted his concerns about the lack of African representation in previous Summer School programs, which predominantly featured students from China.
“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,” said Dr. Olade.
The university, recognising the need to support diversity, offered scholarships covering tuition fees for three African students.
He acknowledged the support of key figures at the university, including Dr. Wasif Naeem, director of Internationalisation, Professor David Rooney, and Dr. Thai Son Mai, who facilitated the scholarship initiative.
Dr. Olade also noted the involvement of guest lecturers like Mr. Nweike Onwuyali, CEO of Ziphii Limited, and senior Nigerian pastors based in Belfast, who visited to congratulate the scholarship recipients.
He commended the young students and teaching associates who contributed to the success of the program, reiterating the hope that the 2024 scholarship, which served as a “test run,” would expand in future years, allowing more African students to benefit from the opportunity.
Dr. Ilesanmi Olade’s goal is to create academic opportunities for the growing African IT sector and also provide stronger visibility for Queens University Belfast, so this great university will become a common choice for future African students and academics.
