Title: “EXCELLENTIA: an academic excellence program for young people in the Democratic Republic of Congo”
Introduction :
In the Haut-Katanga province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI Foundation organized an event to raise awareness among students about the EXCELLENTIA program. This program aims to promote academic excellence among young people and offers scholarships to state exam winners. In addition to academic excellence, the foundation also addresses the issue of sickle cell disease, the world’s leading genetic disease, and encourages students to get tested. This initiative by the First Lady of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI, aims to train the elite of tomorrow.
The EXCELLENTIA program:
EXCELLENTIA is a 10-year program that rewards academic excellence by awarding scholarships to state exam winners who obtain a minimum score of 85%. The objective is to award 1000 local scholarships and 100 international scholarships to enable students to pursue their university studies. To date, the program is in its 4th edition and already has 241 scholarship holders, including 82 who study abroad (Morocco, France, United States) and 159 local scholarship holders.
Sickle Cell Awareness:
During the event, the Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI Foundation also raised awareness among students about sickle cell anemia, a genetic disease that affects many families. The First Lady stressed the importance of prevention and fight against this devastating disease. She encouraged students to get tested and announced that screening kits would soon be available in certain hospitals in Lubumbashi. By raising awareness among young people about this health issue, the foundation contributes to saving lives and building a healthier society.
The importance of education and academic excellence:
In her speech, the President of the Foundation highlighted the importance of education and academic excellence. She reminded the students that they are the future of the country and that they have the potential to become tomorrow’s elite. The EXCELLENTIA program offers young talents the opportunity to continue their university studies, whether in local establishments or abroad. The objective is to train a generation of competent and committed leaders for the development of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Conclusion :
The EXCELLENTIA program of the Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI Foundation is a laudable initiative that aims to promote academic excellence and provide higher education opportunities to young Congolese talents. By also raising students’ awareness of sickle cell anemia, the First Lady contributes to the prevention and fight against this genetic disease. With this program, the Democratic Republic of Congo is investing in the education and training of its youth, who are the future of the country.