WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP): Purdue University is hosting 25 young business professionals from several African countries as part of a program started by President Barack Obama.

WLFI-TV reports that the fellows will spend the next six weeks at the university in West Lafayette, learning how to grow their businesses in agriculture and engineering. They will then spend four days in Washington, D.C., where they will get the opportunity to see Obama speak at the White House.

Marigold Adu says she’s looking forward to learning more about leadership skills that can help her grow her business that involves using bamboo as an energy source.

The effort is part of the Mandela Washington Fellowship program, which Obama started to empower young African leaders.