AFRICAN BRIDGE TO EDUCATION
Virginia
International University students and alumni are passionate about business,
technology, innovation, and bringing change to their communities. One of our
most passionate alumni is Alex John Luketa from Tanzania, whose passion is
connecting African students with education opportunities in the US at VIU.
Having graduated with an MBA in International Business Management, one of
Alex’s most important lessons learned during his time at VIU was “you will not
win if you don’t try.” This principle was true for Alex throughout his career –
first, when he applied to VIU and was accepted, and then when, in an effort to
improve his business and communication skills, he applied for an on-campus
position. When Alex applied for a VIU scholarship, he succeeded! “I realized
that at VIU everything is possible; it is possible to meet diverse students,
experienced professors, and gain global connections,” said Alex of his success.
Alex is
excited about sharing that success with other students who just need that last
little push to realize that wherever they come from, they too can apply to VIU,
study hard, and succeed. As a student, Alex became a country representative for
Tanzania, connecting academic institutions in his home country with VIU.
He
even traveled to Tanzania and met with representatives of many universities, as
well as students, teachers, and parents, to answer their questions and
encourage young people to pursue their dreams, just like he did. Recently, Alex
has expanded his role to connect students not just in Tanzania but throughout
Africa by helping them to apply to VIU so they too get a chance at an excellent
American degree. Alex sums it up perfectly: “I have learned a lot from VIU, and
I have discovered that many people fail because they don’t try. If we can learn
how to try whenever we see an opportunity, it is possible to achieve what we
want to achieve.
I also believe that the education I have attained should not
simply be a diploma, but go beyond that. The community in which I am living
should benefit through my knowledge, so that I may inspire the young generation
to believe in education and opportunity.” And we at VIU are proud that we have
Alex, such a motivated, passionate individual serving as VIU’s own African
bridge to education.
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