By Joseph Banda –
THE European School of Economics will next year offer six scholarships in international business studies to underprivileged Zambian women and girls.
The school has partnered with Justina Mutale Foundation to equip women and girls with practical skills, knowledge and information to bridge the gap with their male counterparts.
According to a statement released by first secretary for Press and public relations at the Zambian High Commission in London Abigail Chaponda, the development comes after a meeting between High Commissioner Muyeba Chikonde, first secretary for trade Ireen Mudenda and European School of Economics founder Elio D’ Aanna.
Mr D’Aanna said the institution would be offering scholarships to deserving undergraduate Zambian students as a way of contributing to Africa’s potential.
“We want to make the world a better place and this is why we are very much interested in educating people. We cater for both women and men as a school. We need to have leaders in all the fields that can change the world,” he said.
He said the European School of Economics has six campuses in different cities, among them London, New York, Madrid, Florence and Rome, adding that recipients of the scholarships would be able to study in any of the cities.
Mr Chikonde thanked Mr D’Aanna for offering the scholarships and Justina Mutale Foundation for focusing on women and girls.
He said the Zambian Government placed importance on the empowerment of women and girls, and that President Edgar Lungu was in the forefront leading the campaign as evidenced by him being the HeForShe champion.
Justina Mutale Foundation founder, Justina Mutale said the high poverty levels in Zambia had contributed to the low number of female students in universities and colleges.
She said the European School of Economics scholarships would help women and girls acquire tertiary education and prepare them to take up leadership positions in the country.
Ms Mutale further said she wanted to collaborate with the Zambia Women Jubilee Markets empowerment programme being headed by Zambia’s Vice-President Inonge Wina by extending the scholarships to some deserving women.