EADB Scholars arrive at Liberty International Airport in Newark, NJ.

The inaugural class of the East African Development Bank (EADB) Scholars program arrived in the United States on September 1, to begin their academic journey in pursuing a Master’s Degree in Education and Mathematics (EDM) at Rutgers University in Piscataway, New Jersey.

The EADB created the EADB Math, Science, Technology and Engineering University Scholarship Program, in partnership with The Africa-America Institute, for experienced teachers and lecturers to earn a post-graduate degree in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at Rutgers University and New Jersey Institute of Technology in the United States.

“The EADB and AAI warmly congratulate these scholars as they have successfully navigated a long and challenging application process,” said Vivian Yeda, Secretary General of the East African Development Bank. “This scholarship program will go a long way in helping to increase the number of qualified academics in the STEM fields and strengthen the workforce in the science, engineering and technology in East Africa.”

The three scholarships were awarded to experienced East African teachers and lecturers with a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field, who are actively teaching in an East African public university. The Scholars were selected from nearly 300 applicants from the East African countries of Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, who competed for a choice few slots.

The three scholars are:

• AlfredMutembei Limbere, a 26-year-old from Kenya will pursue a Masters Degree in Education Mathematics at Rutgers University.

• Emmanuel Nsadha, a 33-year-old from Uganda will pursue a Masters Degree in Education and Mathematics at Rutgers University.

• Theode Niyirinda, a 31-year-old from Uganda and will pursue a Masters Degree in Education and Mathematics at Rutgers University.

The EADB scholarship aims to maximize the impact of EADB’s investment into the higher education sector by granting scholarships to accomplished lecturers who have agreed to return to their East African universities and continue teaching after they have received their graduate degree at Rutgers University.

The fully-funded EADB graduate level scholarships will provide full tuition, room and living expenses within a stipulated budget.

WATCH: NBS TV Uganda’s coverage of the EADB-AAI Scholarship program