Sturgeon Scholarship Program

Sep 5, 2021

Sturgeon Capital is committed to developing the business ecosystems in the countries that we operate, in particular, increasing the supply of highly trained and qualified human capital. Across the markets that we invest, there is a consistent lack of quality computer programmers and finance experts, and yet both of these are crucial to long-term, sustainable growth.

In 2020, Sturgeon launched its Sturgeon Scholarship Program in Uzbekistan to address this deficiency. We have partnered with two leading local universities, Inha University Tashkent (IUT) and Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT), and the first two students were accepted onto the program in September 2020, one at each institution.

The Sturgeon Scholarship is intended to support talented individuals who would not otherwise be able to afford the fees. Together with our partner universities, we carry out a thorough selection process, including skills tests and interviews, to identify the individuals we believe have the greatest potential. At a base level, the scholarship covers their academic fees for the duration of their university course. On top of this, the recipients receive mentoring from the Sturgeon team, and opportunities for internships either with Sturgeon or our portfolio companies.

Sturgeon believes that the long-term economic and social success of frontier markets depends on the creation of employment opportunities through technology and innovation. Alongside our fund-level impact target of supporting 500,000 jobs, the Sturgeon Scholarship Program will play its own small part in improving the long-term prospects of these countries and their people.

“Sturgeon believe investing in the human capital of the countries we operate in is of utmost importance. Collectively this gets us closer to our goal of generating lasting positive impacts and returns.”

— Kiyan Zandiyeh (Sturgeon CIO)

Partner Universities

Inha University in Tashkent (IUT)

IUT is a branch of Korean Inha University in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Established in 2014, it is the leading university for computer programmers in the country, and it alongside its School of Computer and Information Engineering it has a School of Logistics.

https://inha.uz/

Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT)

WIUT was the first international university in Uzbekistan to offer a Western-style education with UK qualifications. Founded in 2002, WIUT offers a wide range of programs, academic and research activities, as well as social events. It has a particular strength in business, finance, and economics.

http://www.wiut.uz/