In line with its efforts to support
Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in Nigeria, Africa’s
leading integrated payments and digital commerce company, Interswitch, has
announced plans to donate IT equipment to students in 10 tertiary institutions
across Nigeria.
implemented in collaboration with multinational technology company, Cisco, will
see Interswitch donate IT equipment including routers and switches to the Cisco
Networking Academies in these institutions. The donations are expected to
support the students of the Cisco Networking Academies as they explore their
passion in the field of STEM and learn to develop solutions to everyday
problems faced by Africans.
Beneficiary institutions include
Igbinedion University Okada; Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu; Covenant
University, Ota; Federal University of Technology Akure; Obafemi Awolowo
University, Ile-Ife; University of Maiduguri; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Others are Lagos State University;
University of Port-Harcourt and University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Each of the
listed institutions currently run the Cisco Networking Academies, an
all-embracing platform where individuals and communities use tech tools to
create impact.
Interswitch’s donation aligns with
its long-standing efforts to encourage more African students to take up STEM
courses in school. The company has actively encouraged the uptake of STEM
courses by students through its various initiatives such as the Interswitch
SPAK National Science Competition which is held annually in Nigeria and East
Africa.
Speaking about the donation, Cherry
Eromosele, Group Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Interswitch Group,
said that Interswitch is committed to improving learning, especially in STEM
courses.
“We understand that the study of
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics courses is not a walk in the
park, however, going through the rigors of studying STEM subjects without basic
tools such as a computer can be unnerving. This is why we are donating the IT
equipment to the networking academies with the belief that more students will
be equipped to hone their skills in STEM and consequently pursue careers in
STEM.”
Commenting on the collaboration with Interswitch, to further equip
the networking academies, Sebastine Nzeabine, Country Lead of Cisco, Nigeria
said:Cisco Networking Academy transforms the lives of learners, educators
and communities through the power of technology, education and career
opportunities. Critical to this is creating connections through access to
infrastructure, forging opportunities by investing in people to help create a
skilled economy and inclusion of all citizens to give them efficient technology
solutions to address their unique local needs.
Also commenting on the collaboration
with Cisco, Eromosele said: “We are delighted to be partnering with
Cisco on this initiative, which is borne out of our shared belief in the
revolution that lies ahead of Nigeria and Africa through technology, a
revolution we do not only want to be part of, but lead. With synergies such as
this between Cisco and Interswitch, we are confident we are building an army of
competent scientists, engineers and problem solvers to whom we can entrust the
future of the continent.”
The partnership sees Interswitch
leveraging Cisco Networking Academies as existing communities in tertiary
institutions across the country and donating the computers to the academies,
while Cisco prepares the students for industry-recognized certifications and
entry-level information and communication technology careers through the
equipment donated.
There are over 200 Cisco Networking
Academies in Nigeria, the highest number in Africa, creating a hub for future
innovators who desire to change the African narrative through technological
solutions.
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