Google "Gives Back" to ALA

African Leadership Academy (ALA) has been awarded a $500,000 grant by Google.org as part of its Google Gives Back campaign. The grant funding will be used to combat Africa’s under-supply of female leaders in science and technology and serve to accelerate a new generation of innovation in Africa. ALA’s mission is to drive rapid large-scale change by developing the future leaders of the African continent. Google’s support will be used to develop high-impact women leaders in science and technology. Specifically, the grant will enable ALA to develop 20 high-impact young African women leaders who can apply their passion for technology and science to develop breakthrough innovations that will enable Africa to ‘leap-frog’ development in critical areas like energy, education, agriculture, infrastructure, and healthcare by leveraging science and technology.

 

With this generous funding from Google.org, ALA will conduct a continent-wide search to identify female candidates from over 40 African countries with a demonstrated passion for science and technology. 20 outstanding young women will be selected to begin ALA’s 2 year on-campus program in September 2012. These young leaders will receive world-class leadership development and academic program delivered on ALA’s campus on the outskirts of Johannesburg, South Africa. Upon completion of ALA’s 2 year on-campus program, young leaders continue to receive ongoing leadership development and support by the Academy as they pursue future endeavours in academics, business and social entrepreneurship.

 

Since its founding in 2008, ALA has cultivated a vast network of leading community, business, and political experts across the globe. This powerful network includes many top-performing science and technology professionals, whom the Academy will involve in ongoing mentoring and career advising sessions with these 20 young female leaders.

ALA is very grateful for this generous support from Google.org. The ALA grant is part of over $100M in total charitable giving from Google in 2011.