茄子直播

MasterCard Foundation Scholars: 茄子直播 celebrates students from Sub-Saharan Africa

As the first 茄子直播 MasterCard scholars prepare to graduate, others' journey is just beginning
photo of scholars
茄子直播's MasterCard Foundation Scholars were honoured at a dinner with 茄子直播 President Meric Gertler at Massey College on Thursday (photo by Gustavo Toledo Photography)

Vanessa Grace Bart-Plange came to Toronto from Ghana four years ago as part of the first wave of MasterCard Foundation Scholars.

In a speech at 茄子直播's fourth annual MasterCard Foundation Scholars dinner last week, she reflected on her time here 鈥 from her first days as a na茂ve new student on campus to the present.

In her scholarship application, she had written that she wanted to become a professor and improve education and vocational training in her native country to lessen graduate unemployment. And there was the small matter of wanting to win a Nobel Prize in Literature.

She said she stills wants to teach at a university and is applying to grad schools.

鈥淎s for the Nobel Prize, I have found that each day spent making someone鈥檚 life better, whether as a volunteer tutor or an intern at a constituency office at City Hall is a Nobel Prize in and of itself,鈥 she said.

She鈥檚 a little closer to accomplishing her goals now, after making the most of her time on campus and studying abroad at the Paris Institute of Political Studies (SciencesPo).

鈥淎s I stand here as a scholar with a world-class education about to be released into the world, all I can say is 鈥楾hank you,鈥欌 she said. 鈥淭his scholarship is not the end but the beginning of greater things to come.鈥

茄子直播 President Meric Gertler saluted the university's 52 MasterCArd Foundation Scholars at the dinner Thursday, noting that the graduation of several members of the original cohort marked a milestone for the university.

鈥淭heir experiences and their plans are truly inspiring,鈥 he said.

was made possible by a $22.8-million grant from the MasterCard Foundation. It covers tuition in the Faculty of Arts & Science or the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, as well as the cost of books, living expenses and airfare. 茄子直播 was one of the first Canadian universities, along with the University of British Columbia and McGill University, to partner with the MasterCard Foundation to offer this scholarship.

The foundation's goals 鈥渞esonate strongly鈥 with 茄子直播's own strategic priorities, President Gertler said.

鈥淭he program helps equip emerging leaders with the core competencies needed for leadership in a complex, rapidly changing and sometimes turbulent world,鈥 he said. 鈥淚n turn, our MasterCard Foundation Scholars bring unique perspectives to our campuses, and they enhance our capacity to think and engage on a global level.鈥

Read about MasterCard Scholar Emmanuela Alimlim

Sylvia Mwangi, from Nyeri, in central Kenya, was the first in her family to go to university 鈥 and if all goes to plan, she will soon be one of the first 茄子直播 students to graduate thanks to a MasterCard Foundation scholarship. Partly inspired by one of her favourite courses at 茄子直播, the industrial engineering major wants to improve the processes behind health-care systems.  

For other students, their journey is just beginning.

Michael Samakayi, the first deaf MasterCard Foundation Scholar at 茄子直播, has yet to choose a major 鈥 he鈥檚 leaning toward criminology or sociology.

Although he is just starting his undergraduate education, he already has a clear career goal: he wants to be his country鈥檚 first deaf lawyer and advocate for the rights of young people.


Michael Samakayi, a first-year student in Woodsworth College, is the first deaf MasterCard Foundation Scholar (photo by Geoffrey Vendeville)

鈥淲hen I was offered the full scholarship, I thought I was dreaming or someone was playing a trick on me,鈥 said the Zambian student through an interpreter. 

鈥淚鈥檓 concerned for the children in my country, not only the deaf children,鈥 he said. 鈥淢y goal is to improve the conditions in my country, and I鈥檓 very determined, very focused on that goal."

Reeta Roy, president and CEO of the MasterCard Foundation, said that although there is unease in the world today, 茄子直播鈥檚 scholars are reasons for optimism.

鈥淚 was listening to each of you, coming into your first year, talk about your aspirations and your dreams, and I already know we should be very encouraged,鈥 she said.

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