The premier digital payment and commerce firm in Africa, Interswitch, has announced with pride the end of the second round of the InterswitchSPAK 6.0 competition, following the successful completion of the pre-qualifying exams.
Inspiring interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines among Senior Secondary School students across Africa, InterswitchSPAK, a flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of the Interswitch Group, is currently in its sixth iteration in Nigeria.
With almost 16,000 students enrolling for the competition overall and around 11,500 taking the prequalifying exam, this year’s participation was unprecedented. The 500 students who performed the best on the pre-qualifying exam have been identified. Eighty-one contestants will move on to the semi-finals of the competition, which will be televised nationally, as the competition moves on to the next round. These gifted youngsters will compete to be named Nigeria’s Best STEM Student, an esteemed distinction.
Continuing, Interswitch has raised the prize money for this edition considerably in an effort to support academic brilliance even more. Interswitch’s dedication to educational growth is further evidenced by the fact that the total prize pool has increased to over 30 million Naira, a 140% increase from the previous 12.5 million Naira.
Cherry Eromosele, Interswitch Group’s Executive Vice President and Group Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, gave the following reflections on this year’s competition: “We are thrilled to announce the successful conclusion of the pre-qualifying examinations for the 6th edition of InterswitchSPAK. With over 16,000 registered students and more than 11,500 participating in the exams, this year’s competition has seen remarkable engagement. The significant increase in our prize pool to over 30 million Naira underscores our unwavering commitment to nurturing STEM talents across Nigeria. By recognizing and rewarding the brilliance of our young minds, we are not just investing in their futures but also in the future of STEM education in Africa. We eagerly anticipate the next stages of the competition and are excited to see the innovative and inspiring solutions our students will bring forward.”
According to the local brand news, a laptop, monthly stipends, and a N15 million tertiary scholarship over five years will be awarded to the first prize winner. A laptop and N10 million over three years will be awarded to the second-place winner, while N5 million will be given to the third-place winner for a single year. Apart from the top three awards, players who place fourth through ninth can also get monetary rewards.
The top 18 semi-finalists will also be awarded monetary awards. Additionally, the competition will identify the top 27 contributing teachers and provide them with financial incentives.
The top 200 preliminary qualifiers will also receive complimentary JAMB e-PINS from Interswitch to register for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exams.
The competition’s TV broadcast is scheduled to premiere on Sunday, October 27, 2024. For additional information, audiences are urged to follow @InterswitchSPAK on social media.
However, after Emmanuel Omoegbeleghan from The Crescent International School in Ogun State and Emmanuel Angelo-Hyuwa from The Ambassadors College in Ogun State finished second and third in the previous edition, respectively, Abraham Daramola from Hallmark Secondary School in Ondo State emerged victorious.
