NEW YORK, March 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- AFS Intercultural Programs and BP announce the launch of the BP Global STEM Academies, STEM-based study abroad scholarship programs. Over the next three years, 300 secondary school students from around the world with demonstrated interest in science, technology, engineering or math will receive scholarships to participate in a four-week BP Global STEM Academy hosted by three national AFS Organizations—AFS Brazil, AFS Egypt and AFS USA.

Scholarship programs like the BP Global STEM Academies will help ensure that the STEM community is inclusive and that international education opportunities are open to those who may not be able to afford to go abroad.

The BP Global STEM Academies leverage BP's deep expertise in STEM and AFS's established track record in international education to develop the next generation of globally competent leaders. Academy scholars will enrich their STEM skills, interact with practitioners and develop key global competencies through problem solving, language learning, collaborative projects, intercultural learning and cultural immersion activities.

The BP Global STEM Academy programs are designed to address the growing demand for more STEM workers with the abilities to communicate and collaborate across diverse cultures. As a global energy business, BP is committed to helping young scholars explore their STEM ambitions beyond school studies, while preparing them to thrive in competitive and diverse classrooms and workplaces.

"BP relies on cutting-edge innovation and the minds of the brightest scientists and engineers to help us develop the energy the world needs," says Helmut Schuster, BP Group HR Director. "As a global energy leader, our goal is to attract, develop and retain the best talent from the diversity our world offers. The BP Global STEM Academies will focus on recruiting students from across the globe and providing these talented young people with an exceptional, international opportunity to build critical intercultural skills and STEM training that will help them thrive. We are proud to partner with AFS to cultivate this next generation of diverse STEM talent."

For over 70 years AFS has "turned places into people" by connecting more than 500,000 students and families around the world to communities and learning through intercultural education and exchange programs.

"Working with BP helps AFS to expand access to intercultural education by providing scholarships to enterprising young women and men wanting to expand their STEM skills and global horizons," says Daniel Obst, President and CEO of AFS. "Now we can empower more young people to confidently pursue their career interests and take their first steps to becoming active global citizens."

Since 2011, the AFS/BP partnership has provided scholarships to more than 250 secondary school students to participate on high school academic year study abroad programs.

The four-week BP Global STEM Academies are open to talented students from all backgrounds. Participants must be between 15 and 17.5 years of age with a demonstrated academic and career interest in science, technology, engineering, math or related fields and applications. The deadline to apply for the 2018 program is 31 March. For more information about the requirements and to apply, visit: afs.org/STEM-academy-scholarships.

About AFS:
AFS Intercultural Programs is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit education organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. Each year around 12,000 young people take part in the AFS Programs that are supported by over 50,000 volunteers and staff in 60 countries worldwide. www.afs.org

About BP:
BP is a global energy company with wide reach across the world's energy system. The energy we produce serves to power economic growth and lift people out of poverty. In the future, the way heat, light and mobility are delivered will change. We aim to anchor our business in these changing patterns of demand, rather than in the quest for supply. We have a real contribution to make the world's ambition of a low carbon future. We have operations in Europe, North and South America, Australasia, Asia and Africa, and employ around 75,000 people. www.bp.com

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SOURCE AFS Intercultural Programs