Revival of Kwankwasiyya scholarship programme ignites educational renaissance in Kano State, by Yahaya Shawai
In a bid to rejuvenate the educational landscape of Kano State, the Philosophy of Foreign Training Scholarship programme has made a triumphant return under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State.
This initiative, initially launched during Engr Rabiu Kwankwaso’s tenure, aims to empower the youth and enhance the state’s educational infrastructure.
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The programme was originally designed to provide opportunities for the top-performing graduates from all 44 local government areas of the state. These beneficiaries, consisting of graduates with first and second-class divisions, were selected to improve their capabilities and to groom academic staff for Kano State’s institutions.
In 2012, Engr Rabiu Kwankwaso officially inaugurated the programme, sending 501 fortunate beneficiaries to prestigious institutions worldwide. The impact was transformative, broadening the horizons of many and contributing significantly to higher education institutions within the state.
However, after eight years of dormancy during the Ganduje Administration, the programme has found new life, thanks to the Kwankwasiyya Development Foundation, sponsoring 370 first-class students for postgraduate studies abroad.
Now, under the leadership of Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf, the programme is set to send 1001 first-class graduates to universities worldwide, reigniting hope in the state’s educational institutions and paving the way for global competition.
“The legacy of the Kwankwasiyya Scholars endures, with their significant contributions to higher education institutions within the state. Many have achieved the rank of associate professor, while others have earned global recognition and established businesses that create job opportunities for Kano State’s youth”.
The current administration is motivated to reinvigorate the programme, with the aim of harnessing the skills, expertise, and knowledge acquired by scholars to enhance the quality of education in the state.
“The programme’s recent inauguration event saw the state government collaborate with the Ministry for Higher Education to absorb the scholars as academic staff within the state’s higher education institutions”.
“The candidates, whose departure is between September and November 2023, were selected based on their areas of study during their undergraduate degrees, covering a wide range of fields, from Biotechnology to Islamic Banking and Finance. Visa processing activities were also facilitated to ensure a smooth transition for the scholars during their foreign training scholarship”.
The revival of this programme is expected to be a testament to developing human capital and enhancing the quality of education in Kano State, ushering in a new era of academic and entrepreneurial opportunities.
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