By Angeline Mgbele, Correspondent Abuja

The philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, Merck Foundation marks World Science Day through their Merck Africa Research Summit–MARS Awards 2020 for best Young African Researchers and best Women African Researchers.

CEO of Merck Foundation and One of 100 Most Influential Africans (2019, 2020) Dr. Rasha Kelej explains, “Merck Foundation empowers Women and Youth in Scientific Research through “MARS Best Young African Researchers Awards” and “MARS Best African Women Researchers Awards”.

Merck Foundation started these awards in 2015.

“We will announce the MARS 2020 Winners before the end of this year. The winners will be eligible for a scholarship of training programmes to advance their skills and standard in scientific research” Dr. Kelej added.

Merck Foundation launches these awards to recognize the outstanding contribution of African Youth and Female Scientists to empower them in research and advance their contribution to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). This programme is in partnership with the African Union and African Ministries of Health, Science, Education, and Gender.

Merck Foundation’s STEM programme partners with global and local institutions and organizations to empower women and young people in the areas of science and technology. Merck Foundation believes that education is an important factor in promoting economic well-being in Africa.

Merck Foundation has celebrated over 40 winners of Merck Africa Research Summit–MARS Awards in the past editions, from 18 African Countries including Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.