Privacy Policy

1. Overview of MYGEECS Privacy Policy

MYGEECS LIMITED ("we," "us," or "our") is dedicated to safeguarding the privacy and personal information of our users. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, process, store, and share personal data when you engage with our platform and services.

MYGEECS is an innovative platform that simplifies the application process for African students, particularly Nigerian users, seeking undergraduate and Master's programs in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. Users can independently manage their applications or access expert admission consulting and scholarship services.

By using MYGEECS, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at [email protected].

Definitions

"Account". means a unique account registered with the details of the User and which contains details of the User's transactions/operations on the Platform (as defined below).

"Applicable Laws" means all applicable regulations, laws, codes, guidelines, policies, rules, and directives of any competent regulatory authority in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"Platform" means collectively Mygeecs's website and other related applications provided by Mygeecs.

2. Information We Collect

We collect and process only the personal data necessary to provide and improve our services, as outlined below:

A. Personally Identifiable Information (PII):

• Full name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Address
• Parent's name (for dependent users)
• Education documents (e.g., certificates, transcripts, test scores)
• Country of birth
• Secondary or other citizenship
• International passport (bio-data page)

B. Sensitive Data:

When necessary, with your consent or as otherwise permitted by applicable law, we process information relating to your Racial or ethnic origin (only for specific scholarships requiring this data and with explicit user consent).

C. Payment Information:

If you choose to make purchases, we may collect data necessary to process your payment, such as your payment instrument number and the security code associated with it. The Details required for processing payments will be managed securely by third-party payment providers (e.g., Stripe).

D. Technical Data:

We automatically collect certain information when you visit, use, or navigate our platforms. This information does not reveal your specific identity (like your name or contact information) but may include device and usage information, such as your IP address, browser type, and location data. This information is primarily needed to maintain the security and operation of our Services and for our internal analytics and reporting purposes.

3. Purpose of Data Collection

We collect user data for several important reasons:

1. Assisting with Applications: Our primary goal is to help users navigate the application process for their chosen undergraduate and Master's degree programs. We offer guidance to ensure that each applicant submits the required materials confidently and correctly.
2. Personalized Support and Scholarships: We strive to provide tailored consulting services that are specifically designed to meet the unique needs of each individual. This includes matching users with scholarship opportunities that align with their goals and qualifications and increasing their chances of receiving financial support for their education.
3. Facilitating Communication and Support: We aim to create a smooth and effective communication channel between our users and our team. This ensures that any questions, concerns, or requests for assistance are addressed promptly, making the entire experience as seamless as possible.
4. We want to emphasize that we will not use your information for any purposes outside of these outlined objectives unless we receive your explicit consent. Your privacy and trust are of utmost importance to us.

We do not process user data for purposes outside these specific goals without obtaining additional consent.

4. Features and Data Usage

MYGEECS offers a wide range of features designed to simplify the application journey for African students aspiring to study abroad. These features are structured into self-service options, personalized consulting, and financial aid resources to cater to diverse user needs. Below is a detailed description of these offerings:

A. Self-Service Flow

The self-service feature allows users to independently manage their application process, empowering them with tools and resources to take charge of their educational goals.

1. Users begin by creating an account on MYGEECS, where they are required to provide their personal information during the sign-up process.
2. Once registered, users can securely upload all required documents, including academic certificates, transcripts, and standardized test scores, using the platform's secure document management system.
3. The program search function gives users access to a comprehensive database of undergraduate and Master's programs. This database includes institutions across the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, curated to match user preferences, qualifications, and educational goals.
4. Users can compare program details, evaluating multiple institutions side by side to make informed decisions tailored to their needs.
5. For the final step, users complete their applications directly through the platform. After payment of any applicable fees, the MYGEECS team conducts a thorough review before forwarding applications to the user's chosen institutions, ensuring accuracy and completeness.

B. Admission Consulting Flow

For users seeking personalized support, MYGEECS offers a hands-on consulting service designed to guide them through the complexities of the application process.

1. Users begin by registering on MYGEECS and providing initial personal and academic details.
2. Each user is assigned a dedicated admissions consultant who works closely with them to provide expert guidance.
3. The consultant provides step-by-step assistance, from document preparation to the completion of applications and the selection of suitable programs.
4. This service includes a tailored admissions strategy, with consultants offering personalized advice to strengthen the user's chances of acceptance at their target institutions.

C. Scholarship Directory

To alleviate the financial challenges of studying abroad, MYGEECS provides a robust scholarship directory. This resource connects users with funding opportunities tailored to their qualifications and needs.

1. The directory includes a searchable database of scholarships, allowing users to filter results by location, field of study, and eligibility criteria.
2. Each entry in the directory contains detailed information about the scholarship, including eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and award amounts.
3. Users can follow direct links to application portals or sponsorship pages, streamlining the process of applying for financial aid.

D. Additional Services through MYGEECS Success Hub

MYGEECS's Success Hub extends its services beyond applications to offer users holistic support. These additional services are available as paid options:

1. Admission consulting is available for users seeking comprehensive guidance throughout their educational journey.
2. Test preparation classes help users excel in standardized exams required for their applications.
3. Application assistance ensures users can navigate complex submission requirements with ease.
4. Career counseling helps users align their academic pursuits with long-term career goals.

Currently, all services are managed by MYGEECS staff, but the platform plans to integrate third-party vendors. This future feature will allow external service providers to list their offerings directly on MYGEECS, creating a broader support network for users and enhancing accessibility to various resources.

Data Usage

At MYGEECS, the primary purpose of collecting user data is to facilitate the application process for undergraduate and Master's programs, as well as scholarships. We use your personal information to streamline this process and ensure that the applications submitted to educational institutions and scholarship providers on your behalf are accurate and complete. This includes tailoring services to match your qualifications and preferences. Additionally, data is used to enable communication with you regarding updates, deadlines, and notifications that are critical to the success of your applications. Beyond this, we analyze aggregated, anonymized data to enhance the functionality of the platform and improve user experience, ensuring the continued relevance and quality of our services. By signing up, users grant us permission to utilize their data strictly for these purposes, ensuring their applications are accurately and efficiently processed.

5. Data Retention and Storage

User data is collected through the MYGEECS website, where users input their Personally Identifiable Information (PII) during the sign up and application process. All data provided by the user is securely retained in the MYGEECS database and stored on AWS servers located in the United States (US-East-1).

In compliance with ISO 27001 data retention requirements, we retain user data for a period of three years after which the data is deleted and purged from the database. At the end of this period, we will notify users that their data is scheduled for deletion. Users will have the option to request that their data be retained beyond this time-frame if needed.

Currently, the purpose of collecting and retaining user data is to facilitate the application process for programs and scholarships. Once this purpose has been achieved, data retention is no longer required unless new platform features are introduced that rely on retained data. In such cases, we will communicate with users to inform them of these changes and seek their consent for continued data retention.

6. Security Measures

MYGEECS takes your data security seriously and employs a comprehensive suite of industry-standard measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, breaches, or misuse in the following ways:

• Encryption: Sensitive data is encrypted using industry-standard AES-256 encryption during storage and secured during transmission with HTTPS protocols.
• Access Controls: Only authorized personnel can access user data, and role-based access ensures minimized exposure.
• Data Anonymization: While your data remains identifiable for necessary application purposes, anonymization techniques are applied to any data used for analytics or reporting.
• Regular Security Audits: Regular security audits are conducted to identify and address vulnerabilities, further strengthening the integrity of our platform.

These measures collectively ensure compliance with global best practices and the Nigerian Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023.

7. Data Sharing

The platform will expand to include third-party vendors, allowing them to list their services directly on MYGEECS for greater accessibility and a wider support network for users. Until then, your personal data will kept securely and will only be shared in circumstances essential to delivering the services you have requested. Specifically, it may be shared with trusted third-party service providers, such as AWS for secure data storage or payment processors for handling transactions. When submitting applications or sharing scholarship information with institutions, only the data required for those specific purposes is transmitted.

In compliance with NDPA 2023, MYGEECS does not sell your data to external entities or share it with advertisers. If required by law or to fulfill legal obligations, we may disclose personal data to relevant authorities.

8. Intellectual Property

All content on the Website, including text, graphics, logos, database, features and software is owned by MYGEECS or its licensors and is protected by the copyright and intellectual property laws of Nigeria. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works from any content on the website without our express written permission.

10. Protection of Minors

MYGEECS is not intended for users under 18. We do not knowingly collect data from minors without verified parental consent. If we identify such data, we will delete it promptly. Parents and guardians are encouraged to monitor their children's use of online platforms and to contact us if they believe their child has shared personal information with us.

11. Legal Disclosures

MYGEECS may be required to share Personal Information where this is required by law. It is possible that we will need to disclose information about you when required by law, subpoena, or other legal process or if we have a good faith belief that disclosure is reasonably necessary to (1) investigate, prevent or take action regarding suspected or actual illegal activities or to assist government enforcement agencies; (2) enforce our agreements with you; (3) investigate and defend ourselves against any third-party claims or allegations; (4) protect the security or integrity of our Services (such as by sharing with companies facing similar threats); or (5) exercise or protect the rights and safety of MYGEECS and/or MYGEECS' Clients, directors, personnel or others.

12. Third-Party Links and Processing

In the near future,our platform may contain links to third-party websites and services. While we strive to ensure quality and security, we cannot control the data protection practices of these third parties. Please review their privacy policies independently. We ensure that any third parties processing your data on our behalf adhere to NDPA standards and employ adequate security measures.

13. Disclaimer of Warranties and Liability Disclaimer

We aim to provide a secure and reliable platform for our users. However, we cannot guarantee that files available for download or any data transmitted through our Website will be free from viruses, malware, or other harmful components. It is your responsibility to implement adequate security measures—such as virus protection and data backups—to safeguard your systems and data. MYGEECS will not be held liable for any damages resulting from cyber threats, including distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, viruses, or malicious code that may compromise your equipment, software, or data when using our Website or any linked platforms.

Disclaimer of Warranties

Your use of the Website, its content, and any services or items obtained through it is entirely at your own risk. The Website and all related content and services are provided "as is" and "as available," without any warranties of any kind, express or implied. We make no guarantees regarding:

1. The accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the Website or its content.
2. The uninterrupted availability or error-free operation of the Website.
3. The correction of any defects or the absence of viruses or harmful components.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, MYGEECS disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to merchantability, non-infringement, and fitness for a particular purpose. This disclaimer does not affect any warranties that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.

Liability Disclaimer

MYGEECS shall not be held responsible for:

1. Errors or inaccuracies in user-submitted data, including mistakes or omissions in application information.
2. Admission decisions made by institutions, as these are at the sole discretion of the respective institutions.
3. Outcomes related to scholarships, sponsorships, or third-party services listed on or accessed through our platform.

These limitations apply to any claims arising under contract, tort (including negligence), or otherwise, even if MYGEECS has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

14. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold the Company, its affiliates, and its officers, directors, employees, and agents harmless against all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from:

1. Your breach of this policy or applicable law, including data protection laws.
2. Your use of the Website outside of what is expressly permitted here, including violations of privacy or intellectual property rights.
3. Your use of content or services obtained from the Website or linked sites that results in harm to third parties.

This indemnification includes, but is not limited to, actions that violate requirements for lawful data handling and protection.

15. Governing Law

This Policy shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any failure on our part to enforce any right or provision of this Policy will not be considered a waiver of those rights. If any provision of this Policy is held to be invalid or unenforceable by a court, the remaining provisions of this Policy will remain in effect. This Policy constitutes the entire agreement between us regarding our Service, and supersede and replace any prior agreements we might have between us regarding our Service.

16. Entire Agreement

Our Privacy Policy, constitute the sole and entire agreement between you and MYGEECS with respect to the Website and supersede all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations and warranties, both written and oral, with respect to the Website.

17. Updates to This Policy

This Privacy Policy will be updated periodically to reflect changes in regulations, services, or industry best practices. When significant updates are made, we will notify users via email or through announcements on our platform. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this document will also be revised to indicate when changes were made. Users must review and accept updated terms to continue using MYGEECS services.

18. Contact Us

For any data-related inquiries, you may contact us via:

Email: [email protected]

Address: MYGEECS LIMITED, Richmond Gate Estate, Elegushi Beach, Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria