10-year global Scholars Program includes $75 million for McGill University, University of British Columbia, and University of Toronto
TORONTO, April 18, 2013 – The MasterCard Foundation today announced McGill University, University of British Columbia, and University of Toronto as the newest partners in The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program - a $500 million global education initiative. This Program will provide secondary and university education to an estimated 15,000 young people from developing countries, primarily in Africa. The MasterCard Foundation will provide $75 million to the three Canadian universities to educate and develop 270 young Scholars from Africa, and prepare them to return to the continent and lead change in their communities. The first cohort of Scholars will arrive in Canada this fall.
The MasterCard Foundation Scholars
“The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program will develop next-‐generation leaders who will have a transformational impact in developing countries,” said Reeta Roy, President and CEO of The MasterCard Foundation. “McGill University, University of British Columbia, and University of Toronto bring tremendous expertise to our vision. The diversity and excellence of their institutions will offer Scholars an extraordinary opportunity for learning and exchange of knowledge.”
The Program selects bright, motivated young people from economically disadvantaged communities, who despite facing challenges, have demonstrated leadership and a commitment to improving the lives of others. Of the 270 Scholars in Canada, 91 will study at McGill University (McGill), 112 will study at the University of British Columbia (UBC), and 67 at the University of Toronto (U of T).
A Global Network
McGill, UBC, and U of T now join 12 other university and secondary education partners from around the world. These partners were selected based on their academic excellence, nurturing environments, and programs relevant to economic growth sectors in Africa.
“We are absolutely delighted to participate in The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program, and thereby build powerful strengths for Africa and Canada, supporting the development of next-‐generation African leaders, side-‐by-‐side with our scholars from across Canada and around the world,” said Heather Munroe-‐Blum, Principal and Vice-‐Chancellor of McGill University. “The Program will allow McGill to further express its strong and longstanding ties with Africa and its commitment to diversity, excellence, and international engagement, while enriching the learning and research that takes place in our own community.
University of British Columbia President Stephen Toope said, “Canada’s social and economic links to Africa are perhaps our greatest source of long-‐term opportunity. The University of British Columbia is building deep connections across the continent through research, transformative learning opportunities, and community engagement. The UBC community will be enriched by the talent, experience, and insights of UBC’s new MasterCard Foundation Scholars who will open up new perspectives on the future of global security.”
“We’ve all seen Asia blossom on the world stage. Now, as the visionaries at The MasterCard Foundation have seen, it’s Africa’s turn,” said University of Toronto President David Naylor. “That’s why I am so pleased that the University of Toronto will be participating in The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program. The Program will help us recruit some of the best and brightest students from Africa. They will join over 430 students from 31 countries in Africa currently studying at U of T. And these young leaders will not only play a part in the ongoing rise of Africa, they will also be bridge-‐builders between that continent and Canada.”
Program Design
The Program goes beyond traditional scholarships. It offers Scholars comprehensive support throughout their education, which includes:
- Orientation processes for a smooth transition into Canada;
- Comprehensive scholarships (school fees, living expenses, books, stipends, transportation);
- Mentoring and counselling, including academic and social support;
- Opportunities for community service, which reinforce ethical leadership; and
- Career counselling and connections to jobs and networks in the Scholars’ home countries.
The African Scholars in Canada will join a peer network of MasterCard Foundation Scholars around the world who share a commitment to giving back to their communities. Together, they will be unified by a common philosophy of change and ethical leadership, and will drive economic growth and social transformation.
The MasterCard Foundation has also engaged an evaluation firm to track and measure the impact of the Program over the next 10 years.
A Focus on Africa
A majority of Scholars in the Program are from Africa, which reflects The MasterCard Foundation’s particular focus on the continent. Over the past decade, Africa has been the second-‐fastest growing region in the world. Sixty-‐two percent of the continent’s population is under the age of 25, and millions of them will need to enter the workforce. However, the region still has the highest rates of poverty, and lags the world in secondary and higher education completion rates. In order to sustain the continent’s rapid growth, it will be essential that its young people have the skills needed to participate in the global knowledge economy.
To learn more about the Program, partners and the Scholars, please visit www.mastercardfdnscholars.org.
University of Toronto Acceptance Rate
https://mcfscholars.ubc.ca/