Mufutau Akuruyejo, an MTN Foundation scholar will leave for Switzerland to participate in the nine-week CERN openlab programme becoming the first Nigerian to participate in this intensive programme said Akinwale Goodluck, Corporate Service Executive, MTN Nigeria. CERN openlab is a unique public-private partnership between CERN and leading ICT companies. Its mission is to accelerate the development of cutting-edge solutions to be used by the worldwide LHC (large hadron collider) community. There were over 1,500 applications from all over the globe to CERN Openlab which is expected to further boost the ICT skills in database design and SQL and Java programming courses. The MTNF Science and Technology Scholarship Scheme is expected to encourage Nigerian students to take interest in science and technology-related courses for the ultimate benefit of the country. The second initiative focuses on teaching database design and SQL and Java programming skills using Oracle Academy curriculum and hosted on-line learning materials. Students will be taught by two Oracle Academy trained faculty from the Ajayi Crowther University and Aived International. “With the rapid adoption of technology in Nigeria, it is imperative that students are equipped with the right skills to take advantage of career and entrepreneurial opportunities,” said Adebayo Sanni, Country Managing Director, Oracle Nigeria. The MTNF Scholarship Scheme covers tuition, books and pocket allowance. In 2012, the scholarship was extended to visually impaired students in public tertiary schools across the country who meet the requirements.
