By Wambui Cheche and Silas Otieno

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa has welcomed seven new Mastercard Foundation Scholars who reported for the Spring 2025 semester. These Mastercard Foundation Scholars are drawn from four countries, namely South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Kenya and South Africa.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Program team and support from various partner organizations, the seven Mastercard Foundation Scholars successfully traveled to Kenya in January 2025 to begin their academic journey. Upon arrival, they seamlessly integrated into the university's orientation program alongside other freshmen, and they are now fully engaged in their studies.

Faith Nduku, one of the new Mastercard Foundation Scholars from Kenya, shared her aspirations to develop into an all-rounded student.

“At the end of my studies at USIU-Africa, I wish to be a well-rounded Scholar in terms of leadership skills so that I inspire my fellow colleagues out there. I want to have good social skills and to give back to the community by opening an orphanage, while also maintaining good academic records,” she said. Her sentiment on being a community leader was echoed by fellow Mastercard Foundation Scholar, Jalal Khamis Kafi, whose vision is to become a visionary leader who is approachable and an inspiration to the community.

USIU-Africa’s diversity was one of the main attractions for the incoming Mastercard Foundation Scholars. Samson Kamar Mamur expressed his excitement about the multicultural environment: “USIU-Africa is an institution where there are people of different ethnic groups, and I will get to learn a lot from them. On the other hand, it is an institution where you learn many technological skills, which are important in my life,” he said.

In her remarks to the incoming cohort, the Program Director, Ms. Linet Aguko urged them to make the most of their stay at USIU-Africa, and work towards becoming global citizens who would make a difference wherever they went.

“Your time at USIU-Africa will form the building blocks of your next steps towards your futures. I have no doubt that each of you are future changemakers, and it is our hope that the education that you will get here will equip you with the knowledge and skills to pursue excellence. We hope that you will keep challenging yourselves to reach greater heights,” she said.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars form Cohort 10 of the Program, bringing the recruited number of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa to 1076 from 29 African countries. Last year, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa marked the milestone of the graduation of the first cohort of Mastercard Foundation Scholars who joined the university in September 2020.