ABOUT THE MILLENNIUM FELLOWSHIP - CLASS OF 2023
United Nations Academic Impact and MCN are proud to partner on the Millennium Fellowship. 44,000+ student leaders from 3,300+ campuses across 170+ nations applied to join the Class of 2023. 260+ campuses worldwide (just 9%) in 38 countries were selected to host 4,000+ Millennium Fellows for the Class of 2023.
UNITED NATIONS ACADEMIC IMPACT AND MCN PROUDLY PRESENT KALEAB TIBEBU, A MILLENNIUM FELLOW AND CAMPUS DIRECTOR FOR THE CLASS OF 2023.
Addis Ababa University | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Advancing SDG 4 & UNAI 3 | Emerging Technologist
Millennium Fellowship Project: Arif Grade
In 2020, the backdrop of Ethiopia's university entrance examination painted a stark reality—over 900,000 students participated, but only a mere 3% emerged victorious. The remaining 97%, a staggering majority, faced the heartbreaking setback of not advancing to higher education. Witnessing this profound disparity struck a chord within me, igniting a fervent desire to take action.
Fuelled by my innate passion for problem-solving and a commitment to wield technology for social impact, I found an opportune moment during my personal preparation for the same university entrance exam. Reflecting on my own success, I acknowledged the pivotal role that access to past exams played in my journey. However, the harsh truth remained: not everyone had the privilege of such access. The prohibitive cost of books containing past exams posed a formidable barrier, especially for students unable to afford them.
Motivated by the belief that education should be accessible to all, I resolved to bridge this gap. The solution emerged in the form of a mobile application—a platform where students could readily access past years' university entrance exams and replicate the exam environment through simulated tests.
The journey to materialize this vision was marked by months of unwavering dedication and hard work. Finally, the fruits of my labor manifested in the fully functional mobile application. To gauge its efficacy and impact, I collaborated with my high school director, conducting trials with students from my alma mater.
The response was beyond gratifying. Students expressed not only appreciation but also shared stories of success, attributing their improved exam performance to the application. It was heartening to witness firsthand the positive influence of technology in shaping educational outcomes.
This project holds a place of pride in my accomplishments, representing the realization of a childhood dream—to effect social change through technology. In confronting a tangible issue with real-world implications, I not only addressed a pressing problem but also had the privilege of contributing to the academic aspirations of fellow students. This endeavor exemplifies the transformative power of technology in creating meaningful, positive change within our society.
About the Millennium Fellow
Kaleab Tibebu is a distinguished senior student of Software Engineering at Addis Ababa University, situated in the vibrant city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Possessing a fervent drive for social impact, Kaleab is deeply intrigued by the potential of individuals to effect transformative changes in their surroundings through concerted social and political endeavors.