The Kano State Government has sent a group of 159 beneficiaries of the state-sponsored postgraduate scholarship program to India, marking the third batch of students to embark on further education to enhance their academic credentials.
These 159 individuals are among the 1,001 outstanding indigenous first-class graduates who are receiving sponsorship from Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration to pursue their Master’s degrees in various fields abroad.
On a Friday, the 159 postgraduate students departed from the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) to India. They were accompanied by Dr. Yusuf Kofarmata, the Commissioner for Higher Education, and other government officials who offered prayers and bid them farewell as they set off for India.
Before their departure, Dr. Kofarmata emphasized that the airlifting of these 159 postgraduate students to India is part of the government’s ongoing commitment to implementing the 1,001 postgraduate scholarship program for the 2023/2024 academic session.
Upon their arrival in India, the beneficiaries will be enrolled in seven Indian universities, which include Mewar, Sharda, Sri Sai, Swarnnim, SR, Symbiosis, and Kalinga Universities, where they will pursue their Master’s degree programs.
Dr. Kofarmata further clarified that these students are first-class graduates who were chosen based on their outstanding performances during their undergraduate studies. The beneficiaries will be focusing on internationally competitive areas of expertise to help bridge the skills gap in the state and across the nation.
He stated, “A total of 550 students make up the first batch, and they will be attending eight prestigious universities to study in internationally competitive areas of expertise aimed at bridging the skills gap in the state and the nation as a whole. The students are also expected to gain experience, skills, and knowledge to revitalize the state’s commercial standing and explore other potential avenues for socio-economic development.”
Dr. Kofarmata recalled that the first batch, consisting of 140 students, left for India immediately after the launch of the program on October 20, while the second batch of 33 graduates was airlifted to study at the Islamic University in Uganda on the same date.
He highlighted that sending graduates to pursue Master’s degree programs at various foreign universities is a fulfillment of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s campaign promises in the state.
The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to Governor Yusuf for his kind gesture and for delivering on his campaign promises to revive the program initiated by the former Governor of the State, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso.