Staff Reporter
Mobile network giant Vodacom Lesotho yesterday announced the launch of its bursary programme, a new initiative aimed at empowering the new generation of Basotho with digital skills and capabilities. Through its corporate social investment, the company has committed to providing 10 students with bursaries worth a total of M2 million per year to study at accredited universities in Lesotho and South Africa.
The Vodacom bursary is an academic merit bursary open to talented but economically disadvantaged and marginalised students intending to study or studying in STEM (Science, Engineering and Technology) field. The award covers all study-related expenses, including tuition, prescribed textbooks, lodging, and food allowance. Additional benefits include a laptop, Vodacom Lesotho orientation workshop for all new students who have been awarded the bursary, workplace exposure through a structured vacation work programme, work readiness skills training to prepare the final year bursars into the world of work, and full access to Vodacom’s Wellness Programme (ICAS) services.
Commenting on this initiative, Executive Head of Legal, Regulatory, and External Affairs Tṧepo Ntaopane said the bursary programmes looks to address the challenge of shortage of digital skills that the Lesotho labour market is facing. He further noted that through this bursary, Vodacom aims to ensure that the skills and infrastructures needed to meet the future’s labour demands as the world is transforming towards a digital society are met. The awarding of the bursary will also prioritize persons with disabilities and women; a move that looks to advance gender parity and promote diversity and inclusion in STEM fields in Lesotho.
To qualify for the bursary, an applicant must be a Lesotho citizen by birth, must undertake full-time undergraduate studies in a Lesotho or South African tertiary institution for approved programmes of study, and must have obtained 70% or higher across all subjects in LGCSE final/Matric exam or a minimum of 70% average or higher if in the first year of study. Students who are already in their first, second, or third year and meet all criteria above are also eligible for the award.
Applications open today, 10th November 2021; and will close on the 10th of December 2021.
