Malawi: TECHzMagazine – News Desk
Airtel Malawi, in partnership with the Airtel Africa Foundation, has awarded its inaugural cohort of 25 undergraduate tech scholarships under the Airtel Nzeru Fund Tech Scholarship scheme. Selected based on academic merit and financial need, the beneficiaries represent 17 districts across Malawi, comprising 17 male and 8 female students entering the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) for the 2026/27 academic year.
The comprehensive Nzeru Fund provides a fully funded higher education package designed to eliminate financial barriers to STEM education. Beyond full tuition fees and campus accommodation, recipients receive a monthly living allowance, pocket stipend, regular data bundles, and a pocket Wi-Fi device to facilitate seamless online learning and research.
The selected cohort spans core technical programs at MUST aimed at addressing regional digital skills gaps. Beneficiaries will pursue degrees in Computer Systems and Cyber Security, Sustainable Energy Engineering, Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Business Information Technology, Geo-Information and Earth Observation Science, Manufacturing Engineering, and Mathematical Sciences and Science Education.
Airtel Malawi Managing Director Aashish Dutt emphasized that financial constraints frequently prevent high-potential Malawians from completing their degrees, noting that investing in youth STEM capabilities is vital for constructing a resilient, technology-driven workforce. Echoing these sentiments, MUST Vice-Chancellor Professor Address Mauakowa Malata welcomed the initiative as a transformative investment in Malawi’s human capital that enables brilliant students from underserved backgrounds to emerge as future leaders. This fellowship extends Airtel’s broader digital inclusion ecosystem, complementing Airtel Nzeru Connect, which provides free internet connectivity to primary and secondary schools nationwide.
