It is in fulfillment of wishes of late industrialist, Rose Whittaker, who willed an education fund should be set up in honour of her late husband, Dr. K. C. Whittaker.

About 150 undergraduate and graduate students have benefitted from the annual gesture since 1998.

The number of beneficiaries increased from 15 to 22 this year, fund managers look forward to a further rise in the years ahead.

It is in a bid to bridge the gap between males and females in the study of Physics.

A trustee of the Whittaker Endowment Fund, Solomon Quanzie, says the fund will continue to provide assistance to female students.

“I don’t believe we are stopping this initiative any time. Depending on our funds, we will expand this scholarship. It started with one and it has steadily increased to 22.”

Mr. Quanzie believes the scholarship scheme will help change the mindset of female students who see the study of Physics as the preserve for their male counterparts.

“We need to erase the perception that some particular subjects or courses are the preserve of men. We need to encourage our ladies to be more daring and compete with the men irrespective of the course,” he concluded.