By Simdi Gloria:-
Nineteen students from southern Nigeria have received full scholarships totalling $2.17 million to attend American universities and colleges for the 2020/2021 academic session.
This was made possible through the Opportunity Funds Programme of the United States Consulate General in Lagos, with support from Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited.
A reception was held in Lagos in honour of the students where the United States Consul General, Claire Pierangelo, congratulated each of them on their successes.
Pierangelo told the departing students: “The US Mission in Nigeria is pleased that our two major EducationUSA centres in Lagos and Abuja help brilliant, deserving and high achieving students defray the cost of applying to study in the U.S.
“You have successfully navigated the daunting US college and university admissions process and we are so excited for your future.
“During your time in the United States, please take full advantage of every opportunity you have not only to learn but to expand your horizon.
“You have excelled in Nigeria and I have no doubt that you will continue on that path of academic excellence in the United States.”
Izunna Okpala, One of the 2020 Opportunity Fund Programme scholars received full funding for his PhD programme in Information Technology with a concentration in Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing at the University of Cincinnati.
The 19 departing students comprising of 2 undergraduates and 17 graduate students —will be studying a variety of majors which includes Infectious Diseases, Biomedical Sciences, Engineering, Chemistry, Climate Change and Climate Variability, Geology and Political Science.
Their list of acceptances includes the University of Massachusetts Boston, Purdue University, Duke University, Northwestern University, among others.
The Opportunity Funds Programme which is now in its 11th-year assists talented determined, low-income students who are good candidates for financial assistance from US colleges and universities but lack the financial resources to cover the up-front cost of obtaining admission.
Involving a competing selection process, the successful students receives financial aid that covers expenses involved in the college application process, such as payment for standardised tests, application fees, visa and SEVIS fees as well as air travel to the United States.
EducationUSA advisers also worked closely with the students through regularly scheduled meetings and seminars to assist them throughout the application process.
NEWSIE EVENTS MEDIA TEAM Follow Us On Twitter,Instagram & Facebook
@NewsieEvents,I.G newsieevents, Facebook Newsie Events