NICOSIA, Cyprus, Sept 20 – Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka concluded his visit to Cyprus by holding a series of meetings with the Minister for Education and authorities of three universities, where he received pledges of 24 scholarships for Kenyan students.
The scholarships will be channeled through the Kalonzo Musyoka Foundation (KMF), which already runs a sponsorship programme for bright students at secondary and university level.
So far more than 800 students have benefited from the KMF scholarship programme, some of whom were supported by well wishers in Cyprus. The European University –Cyprus promised 10 slots, while Fredrick University committed nine scholarships. Casa University College will award five scholarships.
Mr Musyoka who himself did postgraduate studies in Cyprus, hailed the offer saying the scholarships will present an opportunity for young Kenyans to access higher education as well as broaden their world view.
“Human resource development is a critical component of any country’s development. I am glad that training institutions of higher learning in Cyprus are willing to work with us to equip Kenyans students,” said the VP.
In his a address to a youth conference, bringing together university and college students, held at a Nicosia hotel, Mr Musyoka challenged the young people to embrace innovation and unleash their creative potential in order to address major challenges facing the global community such as climate change, unemployment as well as famine and lack of decent housing.
He said the youth had within their reach the means of transforming societies and discovering the next inventions in science and technology to improve human conditions.
“Your parents and grand parents discovered ICT, went to space and the moon and moved the world from reliance on subsistence farming to the frontiers of technology and manufacturing. Now it is your turn to take up the challenge,” he told the students.
Cyprus Education Minister Andreas Demetriou said his country was keen to forge closer ties with Kenya in the fields of education, science and culture.
“Even though Cyprus is a small country, we have made big strides in human resource development and our companies are doing great businesses across the globe. We are willing to cooperate with friendly countries like Kenya to facilitate technology transfer,” he said.
He said the Cyprus government will announce on a later date, more scholarships for Kenyan students.
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