The French government has pledged to disburse 30 million meticals (around 469,000 dollars) to finance business projects aimed at young people in the provinces of Zambézia and Sofala, the Agência de Informação de Moçambique reported on Tuesday, 4 March .
The agency says that the funding will be channelled to Licungo University (UniLicungo), a public higher education institution based in the city of Quelimane, the capital of Zambézia province. The money will be used to set up business incubators and to award scholarships to students interested in developing business ideas.
According to the vice-rector of UniLicungo, Boaventura Aleixo, candidates for the business incubator grants will be selected through a public competition. ‘This year we’re also introducing seven new courses. These are degrees in Health and Physical Activity, Sports Management, Economics and Finance, Livestock and Rural Extension, Energy Sciences, Environmental Chemistry and Financial Accounting,’ he announced during the opening ceremony of the academic year.
In addition to the new degrees, the institution is also planning to introduce a PhD programme in Community Development.
The French funding comes in the context of strengthening co-operation between the two countries, with a focus on promoting youth entrepreneurship and diversifying the higher education offer in the country.
