Three Nigerians win Queens University summer scholarships

Three Nigerian students are among African undergraduates that won a four-week Summer School scholarship programme for undergraduates in African countries recently introduced by the United Kingdom-based Queens University Belfast.

The successful winners are Ahmad Tijjani Attahir from Nile University Abuja who is a student of Computer Science, Adedife Aishat Adigun, a student of English & International Business from Osun State University and Anuoluwapo Diekolomo Olukayode, from Bowen University reading Computer Science making part of the first cohort offered to African undergraduates,

According to the institute, the scholarship package, offered as part of its Summer School program, is designed to provide students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new academic and cultural environment, ease the financial burden on students, and allow them to pursue their academic interests while expanding their knowledge.

Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science (EEECS), lecturer at the university, Dr. Ilesanmi Olade, said Queens University supports diversity in access to education.

“I teach undergraduate students, and during the summer period, I teach the EEECS Summer School program. I joined QUB in 2021 and volunteered to teach at the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS) annual summer school program for the Department of Electronics, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science”, Dr. Olade said in a statement.

He said “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.

“I explained that African students are unable to afford the high cost of the summer school program and since the university supports diversity in access to education, there should be a sort of scholarship to allow African students to attend the summer school program.

His campaign for inclusion of African undergraduates in the summer school subsequently attracted support from Dr. Wasif Naeem, Director of Internationalisation, who provided tuition scholarships valued at £1,400 to each of the three African attendees, further support was provided by Professor David Rooney and Dr. Thai Son Mai. he explains.

According to him, the 2024 summer school scholarship was provided as a “test run”, but he hopes Queens University will further support a larger number of African Summer school scholarships in 2025 and beyond.

The scholarships would cover tuition, course materials, field trips including transport, social activities, Queen’s Sport Off-Peak membership, Certificate/Transcript, Queens University Hoodie, and 20% tuition discount on first-year future MSc program.

Queen’s University Belfast is ranked among the top 200 universities worldwide.