The University of Pretoria is one of only three universities that will benefit from Avanade's '15 for 15' scholarship programme, aimed at helping female students to finance degrees in science, technology, engineering and maths.
The scholarship programme aims to help close gender, technology and income gaps for female university students enrolled in globally-recognised STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programmes.
"I am personally committed to ensuring our people and our clients recognise the value of encouraging young women to pursue an education and a career in the IT sector," says Avanade CEO Adam Warby.
The University of Pretoria was chosen along with University College London in the UK and Cal Poly Pomona in California in the US because of their "histories of academic excellence in STEM-related fields".
Collectively, the programme leverages nearly half a million US dollars in funding over the course of the programme, which intends to run for at least five years. The '15 for 15' programme is awarding 15 scholarships in recognition of Avanade's 15-year anniversary.
Beyond financial backing, the programme will support scholarship recipients by providing internships, work experience, mentoring and an alumni network for participants. The initial 15 scholarship beneficiaries will be chosen based on several criteria, with a heavy emphasis on assisting female applicants to complete their university education.
"Students who may not necessarily have otherwise had the opportunity to finish their studies will benefit most greatly from this ongoing scholarship programme," says Warby.
"This is the inaugural year of a programme expected to benefit at least 45 students over the next five years. '15 for 15' is also the flagship initiative in Avanade's new corporate citizenship programme which aims to close the gender, technology and income gaps for women."
Cal Poly Pomona president Soraya M Coley believes the true impact of the programme will only be realised after graduation "when these women make positive changes in their respective STEM fields".
Avanade is a provider of digital services, business solutions and design-led experiences, and has more than 27 000 digitally connected people across 22 countries.
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