ASU Empowers African Changemakers Through Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Arizona State University (ASU) is supporting a new generation of african leaders dedicated to solving critical challenges facing their communities through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. The program provides talented students from across Africa with the opportunity to pursue master’s degrees online at ASU,equipping them with the skills and knowledge to drive lasting change.
Miriam Mwende Mbuvi of Kenya exemplifies this impact. A firsthand experience with climate change vulnerability - the failure of her onion farm due to unpredictable rainfall - fueled her passion for sustainable solutions. Now pursuing a Master of Science in Sustainable Engineering at ASU Online, Mbuvi aims to design energy systems that are not only low-carbon but also consider the entire lifecycle impact, ”from resource extraction to product disposal.” She credits the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program with developing her into a systems thinker, communicator, and changemaker.
From Ghana, Joel Quansah brings a resilient spirit forged through overcoming polio and a physical disability. He views limitations as catalysts for innovation and intends to leverage his Master of Science in Business Analytics from ASU Online to empower entrepreneurs. Quansah plans to establish a social enterprise offering affordable,data-driven consulting services to small and medium-sized businesses in Africa,fostering “a new wave of data-informed entrepreneurship.” He sees the scholarship as “a tool to help me build better doors for others.”
Clarisse Umurangwa of Rwanda is driven by a commitment to education and community empowerment. Having grown up in a rural village with limited access to technology, she understands the barriers faced by students and teachers alike. She is pursuing a Master of Science in Global Technology and Growth at ASU Online,hoping to bridge the digital literacy gap and ensure future generations have access to quality education.Umurangwa is especially excited about the opportunity to build cross-cultural connections and create positive change in rwanda and across Africa.
These three scholars represent a cohort of driven individuals benefiting from the partnership between ASU and the Mastercard Foundation, demonstrating the power of accessible education in fostering impactful leadership across the African continent.
(Yoshita Yajjapurapu at EdPlus contributed to this article.)
