Mastercard Foundation Scholars at ��ҹѰ��

��ҹѰ�� President, Professor Jane Clarke, with the 2023/2024 Mastercard Scholars

To that end, the Cambridge programme will offer up to 70 fully funded master’s scholarships each year through 2030 to outstanding students from Africa, with an emphasis on recruiting students from under-represented communities. MCF Scholars simultaneously pursue studies related to climate resilience and sustainability (understood in the broadest sense) and engage in additional leadership and entrepreneurial training to enable them to contribute most effectively to bringing about a sustainable future in Africa. The programme was established with a small cohort of sixteen students in 2022/2023 and welcomed its first full cohort in 2024/2025.

��ҹѰ�� Fellows and staff have been involved in local planning for the programme almost from its inception. ��ҹѰ�� Fellow, Professor Tolu Oni, and Senior Tutor, Dr Susan Larsen, currently sit on the University's Management Board for the MCFSP, having previously co-chaired separate Task & Finish groups to develop policies and recommendation on Admissions & Recruitment (Oni) and Scholar Support (Larsen). Other Fellows and ��ҹѰ�� staff members have also contributed to designing and leading orientation activities for the 2023/2024 cohort. We were also pleased to host the end-of-year celebration for the pilot MCFSP cohort in 2023.

The College was delighted to discover that in the first two years of the MCFSP we have welcomed more MCF Scholars than any other Cambridge college: 3 of 16 in the pilot cohort of 2022/2023, and 8 of 47 in 2023/2024. Given our international and diverse student body, longstanding partnership to offer fully funded MPhil scholarships to students from Kenya, and the large number of ��ҹѰ�� Fellows actively engaged in collaborative research with African colleagues, it is not surprising that ��ҹѰ�� would be particularly attractive to students on this major new initiative.

Meet some of our 2023/2024 Mastercard Foundation Scholars

Passionate about creating a culture of climate resilience in Africa, University of Ibadan alumnus Michael Akinkunmi Akintunde from Nigeria pursued his MPhil in African Studies at Cambridge. He was appointed as one of the Mastercard Foundation Scholar Representatives for 2023/2024 and he also played a significant role in leading the team organising the ��ҹѰ�� Entrepreneurship Competition 2024. When reminiscing about what made his experience at ��ҹѰ�� memorable, Michael says:

“At ��ҹѰ��, every touchpoint - from the Porters, housekeepers, and Fellows - impacted my experience positively. I felt understood, supported, and encouraged. And yes, fellow students from over ninety nationalities enriched the College with diversity which made intellectual curiosity and social engagements memorable and inspiring for me.”

Civil engineer, Liniet Mwendwa Gitonga from Kenya and an alumna of the University of Nairobi, decided to complement her commitment to sustainable infrastructure development by pursuing an MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development. Liniet also played a significant part in the Cambridge Climate Society this year. Thinking about what she enjoyed most at ��ҹѰ��, Liniet says:

“One of the highlights of my time here has been the unique and welcoming atmosphere of ��ҹѰ��. Walking back from my classes and seeing the College gates always felt very homely. The staff and students have been incredibly friendly, providing much-needed support and companionship. I cherish the laughter we shared, the chance encounters in the laundry room and at bops, the warm smiles as we lined up for dinner, and the quiet nights in the library, where the sound of our keyboards spoke of our pressing issues. The formal hall dinners are particularly dear to me, as they gave me the opportunity to meet amazing people. These experiences have made my time at ��ҹѰ�� truly special.”

A Nigerian plant scientist and alumna of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Tochukwu Chisom Iguh studied an MPhil in Biological Sciences, focusing on Crop Science by advanced study. Food Security and working on ways to produce sustainable crops is at the heart of her work. She is particularly concerned with how the changing climate is affecting how crops are grown and will be making a difference at home with the knowledge she has acquired at Cambridge. She says:

“Coming to Cambridge opened my eyes to so many things, especially in my field of study. A lot of things appeared new to me as a Plant Scientist when I came to Cambridge. But what Cambridge does is open you up to the current issues and topics in your field, which then allows you to explore and immerse yourself in learning what is relevant in your time.”

An Environmental Health professional and graduate of the University of Kabianga, Petra Kerubo Mariaria from Kenya studied for an MPhil in Population Health Sciences. She is interested in how a multi-pronged approach can help to improve the health of vulnerable communities in the context of a changing climate. Her advice for prospective students is:

“I would urge you to embrace the diversity that ��ҹѰ�� offers and be open to new experiences. There might be a lot happening at the same time, so learn how to prioritise what works best for you while being firm and true to yourself and your principles. Engage with the loving College community, participate in events, and do not hesitate to seek help from the College and University’s supportive staff. Lastly, building a network of friends and mentors can greatly enrich your Cambridge experience.”

Building on his dream to improve access to education in his community, Gilbert Nkpeniyeng hails from Ghana and is an alumnus of the University of Development Studies. He has recently graduated with an MPhil in Development Studies, and he won the first prize in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme Entrepreneurship Prize Competition. He is completing an internship with the University of Cambridge Development and Alumni Relations Office. Thinking about the impact that coming to Cambridge has had on his life, he said:

“The Cambridge experience has made a huge difference in my life. It has broadened my horizons and networks, challenged me intellectually, and exposed me to a diverse range of people and ideas. I now see myself as an international asset, not just an ordinary first-generation graduate from a rural farming community in the Upper West Region of Ghana.”

An established conservationist and alumnus of Cuttington University, Borwen Levi Sayon from Liberia pursued an MPhil in Conservation Leadership. He is concerned about the threats to biodiversity and the ongoing effects of the changing climate. He has contributed to creating ways in which to improve climate resilience at home and will be returning there to continue his work. He says:

“I am excited about the future. There are so many opportunities. I am better positioned to lead and contribute to my country’s efforts in sustainable natural resource management and improve climate resilience for the benefit of humanity. I believe that with this education, I can leverage my expertise to be an agent of change to support government, private sector, and rural communities in Liberia and across Africa. So, the future is about ‘IMPACT’.”