VANCOUVER – More than 110 underprivileged students from Africa will get to study at the University of B.C. thanks to a $25 million donation from MasterCard Foundation.
The students will receive comprehensive scholarships to live and learn at the university starting this fall as part of the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program, according to a news release Thursday from UBC.
UBC said it is one of 15 universities in the world taking part in the program, which is aimed at educating talented students from economically disadvantaged communities in Africa so they can lead change in their communities.
The university said the grant is the largest contribution to UBC’s start an evolution fund-raising campaign and its goal of raising $1.5 billion and involving 50,000 alumni annually in the life of the university by 2015.
“This transformative grant will help support a new generation of African leaders and will enhance UBC and Canada’s connections with Africa for the future,” said UBC president Stephen Toope, in a statement.
“The UBC community will be enriched by these students’ talent, experience and insights.”
The first group of scholars from Africa will arrive at UBC in September. Over the next 10 years, UBC expects to welcome 77 undergraduate and 35 master’s degree students through the program.
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