In a promising stride towards educational empowerment, the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) has unveiled an extensive initiative, bestowing fresh scholarships upon 4,279 dedicated students across various universities and colleges in the nation.
These scholarships have been allocated to students undertaking both undergraduate and postgraduate studies, encompassing a diverse array of programs.
This year’s remarkable figure signifies an impressive surge of 63% in successful applicants compared to the previous year, with 2,704 recipients in 2022.
Diving into the specifics, the distribution of scholarships based on degree types and programs is as follows: a substantial cohort of 2,951 scholars are embarking on diploma or degree programs, while an equally significant group of 1,328 beneficiaries are dedicated to mastering their skills through pursuing master’s or PhD programs within both private and public academic institutions in Ghana.
Among these accomplished individuals, 1,963, which constitute 46% of the awardees, are channeling their aspirations into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Simultaneously, a noteworthy 2,316 scholars, representing 54% of the total, are steering their academic pursuits towards disciplines within the humanities.
As of August 2, 2023, a commendable effort has been undertaken by the Fund, amounting to GH¢25,278,029.39 in disbursed fees, channeled into the accounts of the respective awardees’ educational institutions.
A pivotal moment arose in December 2022 when GETFund unveiled an open invitation to prospective applicants, encouraging them to vie for local scholarships using an online portal dedicated to managing scholarship applications.
The response was resounding, with an impressive 22,000 submissions flooding in. This enthusiastic participation propelled the Board of Trustees of the Fund to enhance the available scholarship slots, resulting in the current substantial count of 4,279 recipients.
In an official statement, GETFund conveyed, “It is worth noting that, as of August 2, 2023, approximately 300 successful applicants have yet to confirm their acceptance of the offered scholarships, despite concerted attempts to establish contact. Consequently, the Fund faces constraints in progressing their documentation.”
This milestone marks a significant stride in promoting accessible education, fostering growth, and contributing to the nation’s progress.
Source : citinewsroom