As a seventh grader in Sanniquellie City, Liberia, Collins Vaye was determined to access a better education. Unhappy with the learning environment of his public school, he took a bold step and approached the registrar at a private school he couldn’t afford and proffered a deal. He put down a fraction of the tuition and promised to pay the balance by the end of the school year if they’d let him attend.
They did. And true to his word, Vaye paid off the debt in small increments by selling meat in the city from a large tray balanced on his head.
It was his first foray into educational reform – in this case, creating his own opportunity for advancement – but it wouldn’t be his last.
Having completed his Ph.D. in FIU’s Engineering and Computing Education Doctoral (ECED) Program this spring, Vaye is working to bridge the digital divide, the gap between those who have access to technology and those who do not in developing countries. Through his research and professional development initiatives, he is implementing innovative solutions that empower engineering faculty and students to harness technology for learning and professional growth.
Read more at FIU News.