By Cedric Nkungula

President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has secured US$100 million which will be used as educational loans to 1000 Malawian students.

The Malawi leader broke the news on Friday when he attended virtually the launch of Africa – US Presidential Forum on STEM / AI on Thursday.

“The programme is expected to see collaboration between US academic institutions and prospective African students to pursue courses in fields such as engineering, through scholarships,” Chakwera wrote on his Facebook page.

“The initiative gives us a chance to build our own future by harnessing science and engineering technology at tertiary level which in turn will anchor our aspirations towards a middle income economy.”

According to Chakwera, the gathering also committed US$2.5 million as a grant in the form of prep school scholarships.

Chakwera explained that he took opportunity to lobby for more collaboration from the global community in the Cyclone Freddy recovery efforts under Operation Tigwirane Manja.

During the deliberations, said Chakwera, he was also accorded the privilege of serving as the initiative’s chairperson.

The event was hosted by Her Excellency Rev. Dr. A.K. Ocansey, the Executive Chairperson of the Nekotech Center of Excellence and Founder of the Nekotech Center for Labour Migration Diplomacy.