Students of the University of Ghana studying BSc Applied Sciences could have their tuition fully paid until they complete their studies.
This is thanks to global infrastructure leader, General Electric, which announced this during a meeting with the Management of the University of Ghana led by the Pro Vice Chancellor Professor Kwame Offei.
To this end, the University of Ghana and GE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The $100,000 scholarship is part of a broader collaboration between GE and tertiary institutions in Ghana on capacity development.
GE Ghana CEO Mr Leslie Nelson said the gesture validates GE’s commitment to human capital development and localising its operations in the country.
According to Mr Nelson, training, building skills and technology transfer are key ingredients of GE’s localisation strategy in Ghana and everywhere it engages in business. “Our localization plan also includes technology collaboration, development of Ghanaian suppliers and investment in human capacity,” said Mr. Nelson.
Mr. Nelson also disclosed plans to provide Oil and Gas scholarships for Ghanaians, training both locally and internationally at GE’s Oil and Gas University in Houston, Texas, Florence, Italy, Aberdeen and Scotland. The scholarship will target students from the Science and Engineering departments.
Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana Professor Kwame Offei said he was very excited about the scholarship award which he said will go a long way in building a stronger human capital base for Ghana.
He invited other multinational companies in Ghana to extend similar financial assistance to develop the needed human resource through the universities. According to Professor Offei, “human capital remains the most vital resource that any organisation can have and we are glad that GE is placing a great premium on that”.
Professor Offei said the University of Ghana will continue to create the enabling environment for academic excellence in the institution.
Students who would benefit from this award include those studying Applied Science courses like Geo-sciences, Environmental Earth Science, Petroleum Geoscience, Engineering Geology, Hydrogeology and Mineral Exploration.
GE is the world’s leading technology and financial services company, with over $140 billion in annual revenue.
In Ghana GE operates in the Power & Water, Oil &Gas and Healthcare businesses and has grown its operations by more than five-fold since 2010.
-GE