The African Science Academy (ASA) focuses on STEM education for brilliant academically gifted young women from disadvantaged backgrounds from across Africa. The Academy provides students with a world-class, one-year STEM programme of Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Computer Science. All students are on fully-funded scholarships. Providing support for women and girls to engage with STEM education is one of the central pillars for creating a sustainable future for Africa. Over the last four years, the Academy has educated almost 100 girls who have been accepted into leading universities across Africa, in the UK and the United States.
Thanks to COSARAF Foundation’s support, Rahinatu, Seiba and Shedika were able to study towards their A Levels at Africa’s leading STEM-focused academy for girls.
Rahinatu Mohammed Lawal is from a large family in Ashaiman, Ghana. She has always done well academically, however, after studying at high school she had to
end her studies to support her family. She worked and lived in a small shop in the market because they could not afford the transportation for her to return home after work.
Last year she received ‘the most fantastic news of my life’. She was offered a place at the African Science Academy on a full scholarship from the Cosaraf Foundation.
Rahinatu achieved A*, A* in Maths and Physics and has secured a full scholarship to study Software Engineering at African Leadership University.
Shedika comes from Tumu in the upper West region of Ghana. After high school, she desperately wanted to go to university but her parents weren’t able to afford the fees. Shedika applied to the Academy because she has always been passionate about Maths and Science. With the financial problems in her family, Shedika would not have been able to attend ASA if COSARAF Foundation had not sponsored her. At the Academy, Shedika was able to build her confidence, learning about teamwork and public speaking skills, meeting other girls from all over Africa and hearing from amazing guest speakers and mentors. Worked hard, Shedika was able to achieve an A, B and C in A Level Maths, Physics and Further Maths. Shedika received at Mastercard Foundation Scholarship to study at Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Ashesi University in Ghana – one of Africa’s leading universities.
Seiba, from Ghana, had a passion for her studies but her family’s circumstances meant that pursuing her learning would not have been possible without financial support. Gaining a place at the Academy enabled Seiba to achieve an A and two B’s in A Level Maths, Further Maths and Physics. She was also given the opportunity to meet other students from across Africa and to develop other skills such as debating, giving presentations, being creative and even how to play badminton! Seiba was offered a scholarship by the Mastercard Foundation to study at the University of Edinburgh.
