By Victor Okoye
The Chartered Institute of Educational Practitioners United Kingdom (CIEPUK) is set to partner
the Higher Institute for Professional Development and Training (HIPDET) to provide no fewer than 1,000 scholarships to students in Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that HIPDET is a private, independent, non-profit vocational and higher education provider incorporated in Bamenda, Cameroon.
HIPDET offers vocational and higher education programs leading to the award of Vocational qualifications Diploma, Higher National Diploma, Bachelor degree, Postgraduate Diploma, Master Degree, MBA, DBA and PhD.
Prof. Marcel Ezenwoye, the National President of CIEPUK in Nigeria, told NAN on Thursday in Abuja that plans have been concluded by the institute to partner and expand the activities of the HIPDET in the country.
Ezenwoye said that the benefits acrued to the partnership between CIEPUK and HIPDET was unquantifiable, adding that it will help provide no fewer than 1,000 scholarships to students in the country.
He explained that the partnership involved
the launching of an NGO, known as HIPDET University Education Foundation in the country.
He stressed that the NGO had been officially launched in the country and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) under the chairmanship of CIEPUK President, Ezenwoye with its office headquarters at 39A, First Avenue, Gwarimpa.
“This is an international NGO registered with the American Secretary of State in New Jersey.
“They have established a similar university foundation in Cameroon, called HIPDET University and now the NGO has come to stay in Nigeria.
“HIPDET University Education Foundation has formally been registered and approved by CAC as an NGO in Nigeria.
“This is a goodnews as through their partners CIEPUK, scholarships programmes will be run for the first 1,000 students.
“By this also, we are now entitled to source for funds, borrow monies, appeal to philanthropists and receive freewill donations from both local and International donors,” he said.
The don noted that the objectives of the foundation was primarily to encourage and promote accessible, affordable and inclusive education, targeting Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
“We want to ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations.
“It also aims to promote scholarship schemes across tertiary institutions in Africa.
“People who are out of school as ŵell as vulnerable children are all encouraged to come and register with CIEPUK so that they can be sent back to school.
“We provide scholarships, especially for tertiary institutions. The idea is to ensure that nobody is left out roaming around the street while other pupils are in the school studying.
“Parents who have got no money to finance their children’s education should approach and apply through CIEPUK.
He solicited for the support of religious organisations such as the Catholic Men and Women’s Organisations as well as religious leaders of both the Islamic and Christian faith to encourage their followers to apply for the scholarship.
He said also eligible for the scholarship were both serving and retired police, army, immigration, civil defence, road safety officers and other stakeholders.
He stressed that children whose parents do not have enough funds to further their education and the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as well as the vulnerable youths and widows were not left out. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)