A second round of students of the Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe and Africa University’s fully-paid scholarship program were recently handed state-of-the-art laptops and laptop bags to help with their studies.
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The bank remains a key partner in supporting students’ academic aspirations, having launched the scholarship program in 2020 that has since grown in impact and reach. The program, which has been instrumental in breaking down barriers to education, celebrated a milestone last year as its first round of scholarship recipients graduated with distinction. And in keeping up with its commitment to strengthening its long-standing relationship with Africa University, Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe has since increased the number of scholarships for the second cohort from five to seven.
The seven beneficiaries, now in their second semester, overcame adversity and defied their disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve remarkable success in their academic journeys. All hailing from Manicaland province, the students were selected for the prestigious scholarship after a rigorous and highly-competitive screening process.
While their transformational education journey is well underway, the recent generous provision of gadgets, in addition to tuition support, added a remarkable dimension to their whole educational experience.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe’s Head of Public Sector, Sarah Charangwa, expressed her excitement about the students’ academic performance with one of the scholarship recipients having earned a place on Africa University’s Dean’s List of academic excellence in their first semester.
As the students interacted with Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe officials during the handover ceremony on campus, they also shared their heartfelt experiences. A common thread however, ran through their words—gratitude, hope, and an unwavering drive to succeed. With resolute determination, they pledged to seize this opportunity fully, not only to uplift their families but to contribute to the transformation of the nation and the African continent.
The impact of this provision extends far beyond mere convenience. For Christopher Govero, one of beneficiaries pursuing Computer Science, the laptop has opened new frontiers and to him the sky is the limit.
“This isn’t just a device – it’s an opportunity to compete on an equal footing with my peers. I can now enhance my coding skills even throughout the night and participate fully in virtual labs without any technical limitations,” the bubbly Govero said.
For first generation university student, Beauty Marikasa, the opportunity to be the pioneer in her family to pursue higher education learning is truly a dream come true.
“I am very grateful beyond what words can express. I know I will be able to help my siblings after I graduate and for that I can never take this opportunity for granted,” the Social Work student said.
Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe says it remains committed to fostering education, youth empowerment, and sustainable development in Zimbabwe. Through this partnership with Africa University, the bank is not only investing in students’ futures but also contributing to the nation’s broader socio-economic growth. The laptop donation, which bridges the digital divide, also represents the bank’s ongoing commitment to advancing academic excellence and ensuring equal access to educational resources.
excerpt from a story by Tawanda Chiwara, Africa University website
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