By Jacob Yen Alier and Brenda Odhiambo

Recently, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council Meeting convened in Kampala, Uganda. The annual gathering, held from January 31 to February 2, brought together Mastercard Foundation Scholars, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni, and other key stakeholders to reflect on the progress of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and chart a bold path forward for young leaders across the continent and beyond.

The three-day event featured dynamic discussions, cultural exchanges, and insightful engagements conversations with various representatives from the Mastercard Foundation, including Tina Muparadzi, Executive Director of Education & Transitions and the Country Director, Uganda, Adrian Bukenya. Their insights set the tone for a conference that challenged the Mastercard Foundation Scholars present to think critically about their roles as change agents in society.

Their message to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars was clear: the time has come for them to step fully into their roles as transformative leaders. Tina underscored the importance of the Scholars Council Representatives as key connectors between their academic institutions and the larger alumni network, urging them to ensure the seamless transfer of knowledge between different cohorts. Adrian, on the other hand, issued a challenge to the young leaders in the room: embrace boldness, be solution-oriented, and above all, create tangible impact in their communities.

The opening night set the stage for a lively and engaging gathering, with Mastercard Foundation Scholars immersing themselves in a vibrant celebration of African culture. Dressed in their best traditional attire, participants showcased the beauty and diversity of their heritage in a spirited competition that recognized the best African wear. The honor went to Joy Divine from the University of Pretoria and Jacob from USIU-Africa, who captivated the audience with their stunning outfits.

One of the standout moments of the meeting was the Institutional Flag Ceremony, where universities presented their contributions to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. Representing USIU-Africa, Jacob proudly took the stage, highlighting how the institution has cultivated a truly global learning environment, bringing together students from over 70 nationalities.

“USIU-Africa is more than just a university. It is a melting pot of cultures, ideas, and perspectives. Mastercard Foundation Scholars at USIU-Africa don’t just study; they engage, collaborate, and innovate,” he remarked. He spoke about the university’s emphasis on holistic education, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation, pillars that ensure that Mastercard Foundation Scholars graduate with both the technical skills and leadership capacity needed to make a lasting impact in their communities.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council Representatives also had the opportunity to visit Makerere University, one of Africa’s oldest and most respected institutions of higher learning. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars had the rare opportunity to meet with the Vice-Chancellor, who shared lessons on academic excellence, institutional leadership, and the role of universities in shaping Africa’s future. The gathering also provided an invaluable opportunity to connect with Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council representatives from top universities worldwide, including Arizona State University, the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, the University of Toronto, UBC Berkeley, Sciences Po, and other leading African institutions from South Africa, Ghana, Rwanda, and Mauritius. These exchanges allowed the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council Representatives to draw from their peers’ diverse perspectives on leadership, community engagement, and systemic change.

Reflecting on the discussions, one of the most thought-provoking questions posed during the meeting was: How are we, as Mastercard Foundation Scholars, going to be change agents in the society we live in? This challenge urged Mastercard Foundation Scholars to identify gaps within their communities and leverage their skills and networks to drive meaningful solutions. Another critical question—What do we learn from people making change? —encouraged participants to draw lessons from global change-makers and integrate those insights into their leadership journeys.

As the representative from USIU-Africa, Jacob left the meeting with several visions: to facilitate knowledge-sharing sessions among Mastercard Foundation Scholars at USIU-Africa, promote leadership opportunities for Mastercard Foundation Scholars to take active roles in community initiatives, advocate for policies that address systemic barriers affecting Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni and encourage young people to embrace African culture and education as catalysts for meaningful change.