Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce company, Interswitch has announced its plans to donate IT equipment to students in 10 tertiary institutions across Nigeria. This is in line with its effort to support Science, Technology Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in Nigeria.
The initiative was implemented in collaboration with a multinational technology company, Cisco, which will see Interswitch donate IT equipment including routers and switches to the Cisco Networking Academies in those institutions. The donations were aimed at supporting 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.
Institutions that benefited from this 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; the University of Port-Harcourt and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Each of the listed institutions currently runs 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 commented on the donation saying that Interswitch is committed to improving learning, especially in STEM courses.
“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.”
Speaking on the collaboration with Interswitch, to further equip the networking academies, Sebastine Nzeabine, Country Lead of Cisco in Nigeria 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”.
The partnership sees Interswitch leveraging Cisco Networking Academies existing in tertiary institutions across the country to donate the computers, while Cisco prepares the students for industry-recognized certifications and entry-level information and communication technology careers with the equipment donated.
There are over 200 Cisco Networking Academies in Nigeria, the highest number in Africa, creating a hub for future innovators who desire to change the African narrative through technological solutions.
