Following the successful completion of the pre-qualifying examinations, Interswitch, Africa’s foremost digital payment and commerce company has proudly announced the conclusion of the second phase of the ongoing InterswitchSPAK 6.0 competition.
Now in its 6th edition in Nigeria, InterswitchSPAK, a flagship Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR initiative of the Interswitch Group, continues to inspire interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, STEM subjects among Senior Secondary School students across Africa.
This year, the competition recorded an unprecedented participation, with a total of over 16,000 registered students and subsequently, about 11,500 students who sat for the pre-qualifying examination. From the pre-qualifying examination, the 500 top-performing students have emerged.
As the competition advances to the next stage, 81 participants will proceed to the semi-finals of the competition which will be broadcast on national television. These talented students will vie for the prestigious title of Nigeria’s Best STEM Student.
Also, in a bid to further promote academic excellence, Interswitch has significantly increased the prize pool for this edition. The total prize pool now stands at over N30 million, representing a 140% increase from the previous N12.5 million, reinforcing Interswitch’s commitment to educational development.
Reflecting on this year’s competition, Cherry Eromosele, Executive Vice- President & Group Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Interswitch Group said: “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 N30 million underscores our unwavering commitment to nurturing STEM talents across Nigeria. By recognising 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.”
The first prize winner will receive N15 million tertiary scholarship spread over five years, a laptop, and monthly stipend. The second-place winner gets N10 million spread over three years and a laptop, while the third-place winner will get N5 million for one year.
In addition to the top three prizes, cash rewards are also available for participants who secure 4th to 9th positions. In addition, the top 18 semi-finalists will also receive cash prizes. The competition will also recognise and offer cash rewards to the top 27 contributing teachers.
Interswitch will also provide JAMB e-PINS for the top 200 preliminary qualifiers to register for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations free of charge.
