Special Overseas Scholarship Programme

Project Concept

To provide Overseas Scholarship for indigenes of Rivers State to study Medicine, Engineering, Law, Economics, Sciences, etc, with the objective of enhancing the State’s human capital base over time.

Project Scope

Recruit qualified candidates for placement in United Kingdom and Canadian Universities Process admissions, necessary travel papers and ensure university placement for all students

Expected Impact

More qualified indigenes of the State available to man key sectors of the economy

Reduced youth restiveness Better opportunities to demonstrate high potentials

Project Status

507 Scholars currently in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada

United Kingdom

293 scholars already in the UK

6 scholars are in Ireland

18 Scholars to depart for Ireland

108 scholars are to depart for the UK, 2010

11 Physically challenged students in the UK

Canada

197 scholars are in Canada for various degree courses 81 to depart soon

Greater Horizon & Opportunities Programme (GHOP)

Project Concept

To provide opportunities for talented but impoverished rural and urban slum children to obtain secondary education in high quality schools across the country

Project Scope

• Select the best 100 pupils from the 23 LGAs across the State
• Identify competitive secondary schools all over the country, secure admission and placements for all the beneficiaries
• One-off full payment of tuition and welfare costs for the 6-year secondary study period for all beneficiaries
• Facilitate additional funding for sustainability of the programme

Expected Impact

• Maximise the potentials and academic growth opportunity of the less privilege children
• Increase the number of indigenes that will be able to attain academic excellence and add value to the future Rivers State
• Stimulate the strive toward academic excellence amongst their peers back home

Project Status

• 133 pioneer beneficiaries selected from the 23 LGA’s
• Placed in 14 of the best high schools across the country
• All fees and welfare costs paid for beneficiaries for the 6-year period.

Graduate Work Experience Placement Scheme (GWEPS)

Project Concept

To link unemployed graduates with willing companies to aid on-the-job experience acquisition for a period of 2 years where so decided by the placement companies may lead to permanent engagement.

Project Scope

To enhance employability by placing 1,000 graduates in different companies ranging from engineering, education, construction, IT, banking, etc, for on-the-job training.

Expected Impact

• More qualified indigenes of the State equipped for gainful recruitment in various sectors across the State
• Reduced youth restiveness
• Better opportunities to demonstrate high potentials

Project Status

• 7 graduates retained as permanent staff in Unity Bank
• 67 graduates on placement in 12 organisations
• Phase 2 placements to commence soon

ICT Scholarship Programme (Singapore & India)

Project Concept To produce World class ICT software development experts of international standard to boost the State’s capability and enable Rivers experts compete internationally Project Scope Place Rivers State indigenes on full-time scholarship in Informatics Institute, Singapore Run the scholarship for each of the students for 3 years Get them certified by internationally recognized UK and Australian universities Expected Impact Availability of qualified ICT professionals from Rivers State that have capacity to perform ICT jobs anywhere in the world Boost ICT base and appreciation in the State Project Status 301 Students have commenced studies in Singapore and India 95 Students are currently studying in Singapore. 36 Students to depart before the end of 2010 175 students currently in India