Interswitch, one of Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce company, has announced plans to donate IT equipment to students in 10 tertiary institutions across Nigeria in line with its efforts to support Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.
The initiative, which is being implemented in collaboration with multinational technology company, Cisco, will see Interswitch donate IT equipment including routers and switches to the Cisco Networking Academies in these institutions.
The donations are expected to support the students of the Cisco Networking Academies as they explore their passion in the field of STEM and learn to develop solutions to everyday problems faced by Africans.
Beneficiary institutions include Igbinedion University Okada; Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu; Covenant University, Ota; Federal University of Technology Akure; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; University of Maiduguri; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Others are Lagos State University; University of Port-Harcourt and University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Each of the listed institutions currently run the Cisco Networking Academies, an all-embracing platform where individuals and communities use tech tools to create impact.
Interswitch’s donation aligns with its long-standing efforts to encourage more African students to take up STEM courses in school.
The company has actively encouraged the uptake of STEM courses by students through its various initiatives such as the Interswitch SPAK National Science Competition which is held annually in Nigeria and East Africa.
Cherry Eromosele, Group Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Interswitch Group, while speaking about the donation, said that Interswitch is committed to improving learning, especially in STEM courses.
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“We understand that the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics courses is not a walk in the park, however, going through the rigors of studying STEM subjects without basic tools such as a computer can be unnerving. This is why we are donating the IT equipment to the networking academies with the belief that more students will be equipped to hone their skills in STEM and consequently pursue careers in STEM.”
Sebastine Nzeabine, Country Lead of Cisco, Nigeria while commenting on the collaboration with Interswitch, to further equip the networking academies, said:Cisco Networking Academy transforms the lives of learners, educators and communities through the power of technology, education and career opportunities. Critical to this is creating connections through access to infrastructure, forging opportunities by investing in people to help create a skilled economy and inclusion of all citizens to give them efficient technology solutions to address their unique local needs.
