37 students are latest to benefit from David Livingstone celebration programme
A group of gifted students from Malawi have been awarded £100,000 by the Scotland Malawi Partnership and Scottish Government to help them study for masters degrees.
Scholarships are being provided to 37 students who will study at six institutions in Malawi from September.
They are the latest recipients of a programme which was introduced last year to celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of Scottish explorer David Livingstone.
Dr Fedelis Edge Kanyongolo, law lecturer at the University of Malawi, and representative of the independent selection panel, said: "The scholarship enables capable Malawians to realise their personal dreams and to become better able to contribute to the development of the nation's human capacity."
Malawi currently has the lowest university enrolment rate of just 0.05% with a postgraduate enrolment rate of just 0.005%.
The scholarship programme is committed to gender balance with 51% of the scholarships being awarded to women.
21-year-old Yvonne Kamanga, who has been awarded a scholarship to study for a MSc in animal science said: “I will use this opportunity to promote the active participation of young women leaders in Malawian agriculture and development.”
Humza Yousaf MSP, minister for external affairs and international development said: “The second cohort of 37 students show great talent and commitment and I’m looking forward to hearing of their success.
“Scotland and Malawi have a strong relationship dating back to Dr David Livingstone, who these scholarships commemorate. We want to build on this history and partnership, and these scholarships are a great example of the work we can do together.”
Rodgers Makwinja
26-year-old Rodgers Makwinja, who is studying an MSc in fisheries economics, said: “My studies are looking to increase aquaculture output production thereby reducing the problem of malnutrition, food insecurity and poverty in Malawi."
Growing up, Rodgers’ family lived on less than $1 per day, and so to be able to study at masters level is very important to him. He said: “My study will bring about more progressive development in my career and allow me to have a significant contribution to the community around.”
Lucy Ndiwo
42-year-old Lucy Ndiwo has two children and four others to support on an income of around £125 per month. She was forced to withdraw from her studies as she was unable to pay her course fees.
She explained the positive impact being awarded one of the scholarships last year to study an MSc in food science and human nutrition has had on her career. She said: “Through my studies I have gained an in-depth understanding of nutrition concepts and issues.
“This knowledge has already helped me plan and implement nutrition activities at a district level and make the right food choices at a family level.”
