The EXCELLENTIA program of the Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI Foundation continues to make waves. As part of its fourth edition, the President of the Foundation brought together around one hundred and eighty students from 20 schools in Haut Katanga to make them aware of this program which aims to promote academic excellence among young people. This event took place recently at the Pullman Hotel Lubumbashi marquee.
The objective of this meeting was to introduce students to the EXCELLENTIA program, which offers scholarships to winners of the state exam who achieve a score of at least 85%. President Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI insisted on the importance of education and the engagement of young people in building the country. She said: “This country cannot develop without you. You are the future of tomorrow and are called to be the elite of tomorrow. Obtaining at least 85% to be eligible for the scholarship is not rocket science. You you will succeed. I believe in you.”
Sickle cell disease, which is the world’s leading genetic disease, was also discussed at this event. Doctor Kadhya NSINGI led an educational information session on this disease. President Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI highlighted the harm that sickle cell disease has on families, lives and society, and encouraged young people to get tested. She announced that screening kits would soon be available in certain hospitals in Lubumbashi.
To illustrate the positive impact of the EXCELLENTIA program, former scholarship recipients from the first edition were present to serve as an example for future winners.
The EXCELLENTIA program is a 10-year project which aims to reward academic excellence by granting scholarships to the best students. It plans to award 1000 local scholarships and 100 international scholarships. To date, the program has already awarded 241 scholarships, including 82 students continuing their studies abroad and 159 students receiving local scholarships.
The Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI Foundation thus continues to play a key role in the promotion of education and health in the Democratic Republic of Congo. By offering study opportunities and raising awareness of issues such as sickle cell disease, it contributes to the training of a young generation of elites who will be able to support the development of the country.