A continent of over 1 billion people, thousands of languages, dozens of countries, and a median age of 19.5, Africa stands out as a continent flush with opportunities for productive research collaborations and transformative educational experiences for MIT and African students alike.
MIT-Africa offers MIT students the opportunity to explore their chosen fields of study while navigating the many different cultures and languages of Africa. Our approach to working with partners in Africa is grounded in mutually beneficial collaborations in research, education, and innovation. At MISTI, we believe that a substantive, practical work or research experience abroad should be an integral part of a world-class science and technology education.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
MIT-Africa Internships
Each year, MISTI sends dozens of MIT interns to Africa. Placement countries include Uganda, Ghana, Mauritius, Tanzania, Botswana, Kenya, South Africa and others. Students work at universities, corporations, governments, and non-profits.
"My summer in South Africa raised my awareness of the diversity of human conditions. Working at a research unit in the largest hospital in the Southern Hemisphere expanded how I understand healthcare systems as well as clinical research."
--Ankita Reddy, 2019, Biology
Learn more about the experience and impact of MIT-Africa Internships:
Abigail Anderson
Jamie Kang
MIT-Africa Travel Awards
The MIT-Africa Travel Awards Program, in partnership with the MIT Travel Office, provides air tickets to MIT students interested in pursuing the development of a startup or relevant research on the continent. MIT-AFRICA Travel Awards have been awarded to over 30 MIT students.
“MIT-Africa Travel Awards have been crucial in our goal to create Africa's Khan Academy.”
--Tunde Alawode, PhD, Mechanical Engineering, 2017
Learn more about Tunde's experience here.
MIT-Global Startup Labs in Africa
MIT-GSL empowers young entrepreneurs in emerging regions by exporting MIT best practices for catalyzing startups. MIT-GSL in Africa has worked in Algeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia.
FACULTY OPPORTUNITIES
MIT-Africa Seed Funds
MIT-Africa seed funds support new collaborations between faculty and research scientists at MIT and their counterparts in Africa and are open to applications from all disciplines. MIT’s Global Strategy envisions the creation of new region-specific platforms for cultivating, facilitating, and coordinating faculty and Institute-level collaborations in targeted countries and regions.
Below is the reach of MIT's engagements across the continent. Click here for additional detail.
