Raising student awareness of academic excellence and sickle cell disease: the President of the Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI Foundation is taking action
The President of the Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI Foundation, committed to promoting academic excellence and the fight against sickle cell anemia, recently brought together nearly one hundred and eighty students from twenty schools in Haut Katanga. The objective of this event was twofold: to inform young people about the EXCELLENTIA program, which aims to reward academic excellence, and to raise awareness about sickle cell anemia, a genetic disease widespread throughout the world.
During a lunch organized at the Pullman Hotel Lubumbashi, the President shared a message of hope with the students present. She underlined the importance of their role in the development of the country and encouraged them to give themselves the means to achieve academic excellence. By obtaining a score of at least 85% on the exam, they will be eligible for a scholarship that will allow them to continue their university studies, whether at a local institution or abroad.
Sickle cell disease was also a focus of concern at this event. Doctor Kadhya NSINGI led an educational session to inform students about this disease and its consequences. The President recalled the importance of screening and announced that hospitals in Lubumbashi will soon make screening kits available to students. She encouraged them to get tested, emphasizing that sickle cell disease affects not only individuals, but also families and society as a whole.
To concretely illustrate the opportunities offered by the EXCELLENTIA program, some scholarship holders from the first edition were present during the event. Their school and university career served as an inspiring example for future winners.
The EXCELLENTIA program, which extends over ten years, aims to reward academic excellence by granting scholarships to winners of the state exam who have achieved a score of at least 85%. The goal is to distribute 1000 local scholarships and 100 international scholarships.
To date, the program is in its fourth edition and already has 241 scholarship holders, 82 of whom are continuing their studies in Morocco, France and the United States, and 159 benefit from a local scholarship.
The mobilization of the Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI Foundation in favor of academic excellence and the fight against sickle cell disease demonstrates the commitment of the First Lady to Congolese youth. Thanks to initiatives such as EXCELLENTIA, many students will be able to access quality education and contribute to building a better future for their country.