My Friend had an idea – soon 1,000 students will have a university degree

Four years ago, my friend Susanne had the idea to open a university in Koudougou, Burkina Faso. She already had proven that she was capable of doing so with the Lycée Schorge, a secondary school for boys and girls built by the Burkina Faso-born star architect Francis Kerré. This time, too, the buildings were designed by him.

Today, the Burkina Faso Institute of Technolgy, or BIT for short, is already one of the leading private institutes in the country. It will be recognized as a university before the end of the year. The goal of BIT, which teaches STEM subjects combined with entrepreneurship, is to create a new elite that will change the country for the better. As entrepreneurs, employers, leaders and role models.

This fall, the first cohort received their bachelor’s degrees. It was a moving moment. BIT now offers three subject combinations and a master’s program is in the planning stages. In a few years, 1000 young people are expected to study there.

Originally published on December 8, 2021.