Ten years of partnership. Hundreds of journeys. A shared ambition to make education more accessible, develop the next generation of leaders and create lasting change across Africa and beyond.
Since 2016, the partnership between the University of Edinburgh and the Mastercard Foundation has supported talented young people to pursue their ambitions, strengthened communities and helped shape a more inclusive university.
These stories celebrate a decade of progress, showcasing the people and initiatives that demonstrated the power of education to transform lives and inspire lasting change.
Opening doors to education
Beyond the scholarship: creating a more inclusive university
Since 2016, the programme has supported more than 200 scholars from 26 African countries, enriching the University of Edinburgh's academic community and contributing to more inclusive approaches to education.
The partnership demonstrated that widening access meant more than funding a degree. It also meant creating supportive learning environments where students from diverse backgrounds could thrive and contribute their perspectives.
Courage, learning and possibility: studying from Kakuma Refugee Camp
For people affected by displacement, access to higher education could be difficult to achieve. Niyongabo Vincent's experience of studying online from Kakuma Refugee Camp demonstrated how determination and accessible learning opportunities could help overcome barriers, even while balancing family responsibilities.
His journey showed how education could open doors, build confidence and empower people to pursue their ambitions regardless of circumstance.
Developing leaders and changemakers
Saadatu Sulaiman, Mastercard Foundation Scholar (University of Edinburgh) and founder of Fight Malnutrition.
From education to action: tackling malnutrition in Nigeria
Saadatu Sulaiman combined her studies in Global Food Security and Nutrition (Online) with a commitment to tackling malnutrition in northern Nigeria through her work with Fight Malnutrition.
Named recipient of the prestigious Ellie Maxwell Award, she demonstrated how education, innovation and grassroots leadership could help address pressing community challenges and improve lives.
From education to action: improving maternal and newborn health in Uganda
Tracy Ahumuza combined her studies in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Edinburgh with her commitment to improving maternal and newborn health in Uganda through her organisation, ATTA Breastmilk Community.
Her journey demonstrated how education and entrepreneurial thinking could be applied to pressing community health challenges, helping turn knowledge into practical action and creating opportunities to improve the lives of mothers and babies.
Creating change in communities
Scholars creating spaces for change
Through World Refugee Day activities in Nigeria, Uganda and Somalia, scholars brought together refugees, internally displaced people, host communities and local leaders to encourage dialogue and shared understanding.
These initiatives highlighted the importance of listening to communities, amplifying displaced people's voices and building more inclusive societies through empathy and collaboration.
Life of Impact: turning volunteering into local action
The Life of Impact Volunteering Initiative engaged 75 Africa-based online scholars in community service, showing that distance learning did not have to limit opportunities to make a difference.
By applying their skills and time to local needs, scholars demonstrated how volunteering could strengthen communities while developing their own leadership and sense of civic responsibility.
Shaping a sustainable future
Learn about the Scholars' experience at the Climate Enterprise School in Johannesburg.
Climate leadership in action: ideas for a more sustainable future
At the Climate Enterprise School in Johannesburg, scholars explored the connections between entrepreneurship, innovation and climate action, exchanging ideas and considering locally relevant approaches to sustainability.
The experience encouraged emerging leaders to apply their knowledge and creativity to environmental challenges, demonstrating the value of collaborative learning in building a more sustainable future.
Transforming education through digital innovation
Through initiatives such as the Digital Education Practitioners Network and work with teachers in refugee settlements in Uganda, educators shared knowledge, strengthened professional connections and explored ways to improve learning opportunities.
These efforts demonstrated how digital innovation and collaboration could help address barriers to education and extend the benefits of learning beyond individual scholars to wider educational communities.
Building connections that last
Ekasi: stories of leadership, identity and belonging
The scholar-created Ekasi podcast provided a platform for sharing personal experiences and exploring themes of identity, leadership and belonging.
Through storytelling and conversation, the initiative celebrated scholars' diverse perspectives and demonstrated how shared experiences could build connections, strengthen community and inspire others.
Across continents: learning through the Una Europa Virtual Exchange
The Una Europa Virtual Exchange brought students from African and European contexts together to explore shared challenges, exchange perspectives and learn across cultures.
The initiative demonstrated how digital collaboration could create international connections, broaden students' understanding of global issues and encourage them to learn from experiences beyond their own communities.
Ten years of impact, a future of possibility
The past decade demonstrated what could be achieved when access to education was combined with leadership development, community engagement and a commitment to inclusion.
From tackling local challenges to inspiring innovation and strengthening educational communities, scholars showed how learning could create impact far beyond the classroom.
As the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program looks towards its next chapter, these stories celebrated a decade of shared progress and the people who helped make it possible.
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