Scholarship celebrates ten years of transforming communities
29 Mar 2017
More than 200 Equity and Merit Scholars are making a difference to our world
The University has celebrated ten years of a scholarship which has seen more than 200 students studying here before returning to their home countries in Africa and Asia to transform communities.
The Equity and Merit scholarships enable students from some of the world’s poorest countries to take a postgraduate course that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford and that gives them the skills to address a specific problem in their home countries.
A celebratory event held yesterday at the University and hosted by Chancellor, Lemn Sissay featured many of the students and graduates funded by the scholarship.
These included Dr Felix Bongomin from Uganda who studied for an MSc Medical Mycology and is leading research to help combat fungal infections associated with HIV.
To find out more about a recent journey to visit Equity and Merit graduates and see more videos, visit:
The scholarships are jointly funded by the University and its donors. The University covers the tuition fee in full and the generosity of donors covers students’ living costs, flights to the UK and visas.
As part of the celebrations a special book has been commissioned which profiles the amazing stories of students and donors and how they’ve changed lives in their communities, as well as the wider context in which the scheme operates. It includes contributions from leading academics such as Professor David Hulme, Executive Director of the University’s Global Development Institute.
Since Equity and Merit began, a total of 203 scholarships have been awarded to exceptional individuals who have demonstrated both academic excellence and a commitment to the economic or social development of their home communities
Lemn Sissay, speaking at the event said: “This evening’s event is especially meaningful and personal to me. As some of you will have heard me say, my head is in London where I’m based, but my heart is in Manchester and my soul is in Africa.
“Equity and Merit brings together the best and brightest minds in Africa and Manchester in a mission to build a better world.”