Student tries to partner with African airline

By ALEXANDRA RODRIGUEZ
Collegian Staff Writer

Last summer, Edem Adubra received a proposal to do a presentation in South Africa, but financial reasons jeopardized his trip.

Adubra (graduate-education) requested financial aid from the Department of Education, and it gave him $500. The airfare was $2,000 and the total cost of the trip was $2,600.

To avoid a similar situation in the future, Adubra, president of the African Students Association, is trying to establish a relationship between Penn State and Air Afrique, an African airline.

"If Penn State had a deal with a company like (Air Afrique), I think the company (would) be able to support the student," he said.

Although Adubra said he hopes for a partnership between the university and the airline, he does not expect an exclusive relationship similar to the contracts Penn State has with Pepsi and Nike.

"What I'm asking for is that if Penn State money is going to fund a trip to Africa, let it use an African company," Adubra said.

Adubra said procedures to start the deal began during the event "Touch of Africa," when the airline donated a ticket to raffle off during the event. Air Afrique donated the ticket to create visibility at Penn State, he said.

Adubra had contacted different African airlines hoping one of them would sponsor "Touch of Africa" and establish a relationship with Penn State to aid travels to the African continent. Air Afrique was the only one that responded positively to Adubra's request.

"We are among the few African airlines operating in the United States," said Samuel Seyoum, area sales manager for New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania of Air Afrique. "When opportunity arises and we think it's beneficial to both sides, we respond positively."

Seyoum said Penn State would benefit from a relationship with the airline because they provide direct services to most countries of West Africa at competitive prices.

The deal would not only benefit educational trips to Africa, Adubra said, but also will help African students visit their homes.

"Africa is the poorest place," he said. "During breaks, there are more African students here because they can't afford to go home."

Marguerite Gustkey, manager at the Penn State Travel Services, said she spoke to Seyoum, but will not make definite arrangements until Seyoum's visit to Penn State in May.