Top 3 Fields FFE Students Choose and the Reasons Behind Their Choices

At Fund for Education (FFE), we support bright and motivated students across Africa who are determined to make a difference in their communities. For more than 25 years, FFE has been working to provide opportunities for African students to receive higher education and return to serve their home countries. Our focus is on empowering youth to contribute positively to their communities, and we are proud to see many of our students choose fields of study that reflect their deep desire to create lasting change. Among the most popular fields are nursing and medicine, IT and technology, and education and teaching. In this blog, we explore why FFE students gravitate toward these fields and how their choices align with their aspirations to stay in their communities and serve those in need.

Nursing and Medicine: A Commitment to Building Communities

Nursing and medicine are two of the most chosen fields among FFE students. The decision to pursue these careers stems from a deep-seated desire to address the healthcare challenges facing many African countries. For students who choose nursing and medicine, the opportunity to provide vital healthcare services to underserved communities is a powerful motivation. Many students have witnessed firsthand the lack of medical professionals in rural areas, where even basic healthcare services are limited.  

By studying nursing and medicine, FFE students aim to become the healthcare providers their communities desperately need. These students are not only seeking to build a career but also to fill a critical gap in the healthcare system, where professionals are in short supply. Many FFE students are committed to staying in their home countries to serve in rural areas, where their skills are most needed. The financial and social lure of moving to larger cities or abroad is not their primary focus; instead, their goal is to contribute to the development of their local healthcare systems and make a lasting impact on public health. 

IT and Technology: Harnessing Innovation for Local Solutions

The field of IT and technology is also highly popular among FFE students. As technology continues to reshape industries worldwide, its potential to solve some of Africa’s most pressing challenges has captured the attention of many students. Whether it's improving healthcare delivery through digital tools, enhancing education with e-learning platforms, or enabling agricultural innovations, IT and technology offer vast opportunities for students to create practical, locally relevant solutions. 

Many FFE students are drawn to IT and technology because they understand the power of innovation in addressing community problems. These students recognize that technology can be harnessed to drive economic development, improve access to essential services, and create new opportunities in their home countries. By creating homegrown tech solutions, these students are determined to tackle challenges like digital literacy, access to online education, and more. 

Education and Teaching: Empowering African Students and Sustainable Education Initiatives

Education and teaching are another field that holds significant appeal for FFE students. Many students choose this path because they want to make a direct, lasting impact on their communities by empowering future generations through education. Across Africa, access to quality education remains a major barrier, especially in rural areas, and teachers are essential in overcoming this challenge. Sustainable education initiatives are crucial for closing these gaps and ensuring that communities thrive. 

Students who choose education are often inspired by their own experiences with education and the transformative power it has had in their lives. They want to become role models for young learners and provide opportunities for others who may have faced the same obstacles they did. For many FFE students, becoming a teacher is not just about a career—it’s a mission to help future generations succeed and contribute to the community building. This dedication to staying and working in their home countries aligns with FFE’s goal of preventing the brain drain that often occurs when students are lured abroad for material gain. Through their teaching, these students will nurture the next generation of leaders and ensure that education remains a cornerstone of their community’s future. Scholarships for African students play an essential role in supporting these ambitions and making higher education accessible.