Pan-African integrated digital payments and fintech company, Interswitch, on Wednesday launched the 2018 edition of its InterswitchSPAK, a national science competition aimed at promoting STEM education among Nigerian students.
SPAK, according to Interswitch, is an acronym for Speed, Precision, Accuracy and Knowledge, which revolves around key value areas necessary for a progressive future in today’s knowledge-based society.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Marketing Officer of Interswitch, Cherry Eromosele said: “SPAK as we have termed it, is a distinctive concept under the Interswitch “Switch A Future” initiative. As a mix of education, technology and entertainment which align with Interswitch’s fundamental values of excellence and innovation, this initiative is designed to identify, promote and spark the right support and reward for STEM students and stakeholders.”
“For our youth to succeed in today’s knowledge-based economy; they need to acquire the right skill set, their minds need to be re-engineered and reconciled with STEM education in order to compete in or create a job market,” she added.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive/Registrar of National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof. Charles B.U. Uwakwe said he’s motivated by Interswitch’s commitment to strengthening science and technology education in the country while helping the children achieve their dreams through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
He noted that NECO is delighted to lend its technical expertise to the national science competition.
“I can affirmatively state that InterswitchSPAK is a trailblazer and a very patriotic project in terms of public-private partnership.
“It is no longer contestable that this laudable project will not only identify good STEM students all over the federation, but across the African continent who will be encouraged to reach their optimum potentials.
“As the project’s technical partner that is taking off, let me assured us that NECO will continue to genuinely support this project as our own contribution,” Prof. Uwakwe said.
In addition, the Chief Strategy Officer of Interswitch, Jonah Adams, said the fintech company is committed to achieving the goal of encouraging theoretical learning of STEM subjects, rewarding excellence and providing opportunities for developing innovative solutions for societal problems.
He added that the competition is open to students in year 11 (that is, SS 2) as all schools nationwide are encouraged to register their best students in STEM subjects.
In his remark, the Marketing Manager of Interswitch, Olawale Akanbi announced that the registration portal opens Wednesday Feb.21 till Sunday, April 15, 2018.
He added that the overall 1st winner will be awarded a 5-year scholarship in any Nigerian tertiary institution, a laptop, gold trophy and monthly stipends for the 5 years, all worth N7.5million.
He said the overall 2nd winner will be given a 3-year scholarship, a laptop, silver trophy accordingly and monthly stipends for the 3 years, all totalling N4million while the third overall winner will receive a 1-year scholarship, a laptop, and a bronze trophy.
He however added that the teachers who nurture the students and their schools will also be rewarded.