Ghanaian students hope to win over the public and gain ‘The Scholarship’

Published On Fri 17 Oct 2014 by Grant Hill

While the new series of The Apprentice has the nation speculating over which of the contestants earns their place next to Lord Sugar at the top table, a group of students in Ghana are competing to win their own dream prize – a full scholarship at the University of Dundee.

‘The Scholarship’ is an educational radio contest aimed at rewarding brilliant Ghanaians with a one-year postgraduate scholarship for an Energy Studies-related course at the University, including a return ticket to Scotland, and residential, living, and learning material allowances. The initiative is a joint collaboration operated by Accra-based radio station, Joy FM, and educational consultancy firm, Go Study Abroad (GSA).

The contest is held over six weeks, with each hour-long instalment featuring quizzes, aptitude tests and debates designed to test the knowledge and resolve of university graduates live on radio. Listeners are allowed to text the name of their favourite candidate and judges are on hand to assess each candidate's performance.

The Scholarship 2014 contestants are Janet Amanor, Dominic Agbesi Mensah, Joseph Nii Tettey Ashong, Richmond Ansah, Julius Akpesey, Priscilla Dziedzorm Ayebi, Charles Senyah and Joel Tetteh Zutah. The first episode challenged them to deliver a presentation on whether they thought an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout was the correct decision in attempting to tackle Ghana’s economic crisis.

Candidates will be evicted weekly until the final at the National Theatre in Accra on November 8th.

Ian Ball, Dean of the University’s Graduate School of Natural Resources Law, Policy and Management, said, “The Scholarship is a fantastic new initiative as it is broadcast not only across Ghana but the whole of West Africa. It has been allocated a prime time slot on a Saturday evening and over the weeks of the competition listeners and viewers phone in to support their favourite candidates.

“The quality of individuals applying is exceptional with all candidates having to possess a first class degree before they are eligible for selection. We look forward to the winner joining us here in January.”

There are currently 44 Ghanaians studying at the University, with this number expected to rise given its growing reputation in the country. Dundee alumni in Ghana and University staff will meet with contestants prior to the final.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
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