The University of Cape Town (UCT) has embarked on an ambitious project to help develop 300 committed future leaders from economically disadvantaged communities across sub-Saharan Africa.

UCT anticipates that this initiative will help reverse the effects of “brain drain” on the continent.

This project will begin in 2015 as part of The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program, which will provide UCT with $23,5-million (about R252-million) over the next 10 years to finance this endeavour.

The international initiative will offer scholarships to deserving candidates, who would otherwise not have the economic means to study at tertiary levels. The candidates will be educated at UCT, either as undergraduate or postgraduate students. They will then return to their home countries to apply their new skills towards contributing to social and economic progress on the continent.

UCT Vice-Chancellor Dr Max Price says the partnership is a significant feather in the university’s cap. “It lays the foundation for partnerships with the future academics of the continent while addressing issues of equity, social impact and postgraduate growth,” he says.

UCT’s partnership with The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program is expected to assist up to 60 South African students from disadvantaged communities, as well as 240 students from countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

The candidates will have the opportunity to obtain either their first degree or to advance to postgraduate studies. The emphasis will be on postgraduate students who will constitute 80% of the total cohort. UCT will target “first-generation” students who will be the first members of their families to earn a university degree.

Candidates in the programme will be required to sign a declaration that will commit them to returning home upon successful completion of their studies. UCT will work closely with these students to help them secure internships during their studies and career placement after graduating.