The recent news about the presentation of the Excellentia scholarship certificates for the 2021-2022 school year has generated a lot of excitement and emotion. Fifty-eight high school finalists were honored during a ceremony which took place on Saturday August 12, 2023 in the marquee of the OUA city, in the presence of the presidential couple and many distinguished guests.
The Excellentia scholarship, initiated by the Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi Foundation (FDNT), offers winners a five-year university scholarship in the Democratic Republic of Congo or abroad. This initiative aims to support education and foster academic excellence among young Congolese, in line with President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo’s vision to promote free basic education.
The certificate award ceremony was an opportunity to highlight the prowess of former Excellentia winners, who have successfully completed their university careers. The president of the FDNT, Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi, expressed her pride and her unwavering support for these young talents, encouraging them to follow in the footsteps traced by their predecessors.
President Tshisekedi stressed the importance of investing in youth to build the future of the DRC and called for a public-private partnership between the government and the Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi Foundation to strengthen and expand the Excellentia program.
The ceremony was also marked by poignant testimonies from recipients of the Excellentia scholarship from previous editions, who shared their gratitude to Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi for her commitment to education and excellence.
In addition to the winners of the Excellentia scholarship, two schools in the capital, Collège Boboto and the Complexe scolaire les Loupiots, were honored for offering 10 scholarships to students in the program. This recognition aims to encourage other schools to participate in the emulation generated by this program.
Since its launch, the FDNT’s Excellentia program has awarded 241 scholarships, allowing Congolese students to benefit from a quality education in the DRC, Morocco, France and the United States.
This certificate awarding ceremony marks an important stage in the life of Excelentia graduates, who will now have the opportunity to continue their studies in the best conditions and contribute to the development of their country.
By supporting education and promoting academic excellence, the Excellentia scholarship demonstrates the commitment of the Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi Foundation and President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo to Congolese youth and the future of the DRC