22-year-old Nigerian makes top 50 shortlist for $100,000 Chegg.org Global Student Prize

BY Business.am.

A Nigerian-born entrepreneur and creative technologist studying Multimedia Development on full scholarship at the National School of Applied Sciences, Kenitra, Morocco, has been included in the top 50 shortlist for the $100,000 Chegg.org Global Student Prize 2022.

The 22-year old student, Stanley Anigbogu, who is the founder of ArtecHubs Nigeria, a leading STEM skill acquisition company, was selected from almost 7,000 nominations and applications from 150 countries, making him a contender for the Chegg.org award. The award will be presented to one exceptional student that has made a real impact on learning, the lives of their peers and on society.

Chegg.org is the impact, advocacy, and research arm of Chegg, an American education technology company addressing the issues facing the modern student. In 2021, the organisation partnered with global charity, Varkey Foundation, to launch the annual Global Student Prize.

According to the organisers, the award was established to create a powerful new platform that shines a light on the efforts of extraordinary students everywhere who, together, are reshaping the world for the better.

The prize is open to all students who are at least 16 years old and enrolled in an academic institution or training and skills programme. Part-time students as well as students enrolled in online courses are also eligible for the prize.

Dan Rosensweig, CEO of Chegg, remarked that the Global Student Prize, since its launch last year, has given incredible students all over the world a chance to share their stories, connect with each other, and reach influencers in education and beyond.

“Now, more than ever, students like Stanley deserve to have their stories told and have their voices heard. After all, we need to harness their dreams, their insights, and their creativity to tackle the daunting and urgent challenges facing our world,” Rosensweig said.

The American business executive added that the 2022 finalists have made a huge impact in areas from the environment to equality and justice, from health and wellbeing to education and skills, from youth empowerment to ending poverty.

“I can’t wait to see how this year’s inspiring cohort of changemakers use this platform to make their voices louder, and their work lift up even more lives,” he added.

Sunny Varkey, founder of the Varkey Foundation, in his remarks, congratulated Stanley, noting that his (Stanley) story is a testament to the crucial role that education plays in building a better tomorrow.

Varkey further noted that education is the key to solving humanity’s greatest challenges, from war and conflict to climate change to growing inequality.

“As time runs out to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, it is more important than ever to prioritize education so we can face the future with confidence,” he said.

Applications and nominations for this year’s Global Student Prize opened on Thursday 27 January and closed on Sunday 1 May. Students are being assessed on their academic achievement, impact on their peers, how they make a difference in their community and beyond, how they overcome the odds to achieve, how they demonstrate creativity and innovation, and how they operate as global citizens.

Last year’s winner was Jeremiah Thoronka, a 21-year-old student from Sierra Leone, who launched a start-up called Optim Energy that transforms vibrations from vehicles and pedestrian footfall on roads into an electric current. With just two devices, the start-up provided free electricity to 150 households comprising around 1,500 citizens, as well as 15 schools where more than 9,000 students attend.

The top 10 finalists of the Global Student Prize are expected to be announced in August this year. The winner, who will be announced later in the year, will be chosen from the top 10 finalists by the Global Student Prize Academy.