Michigan State University

Michigan State University (MSU) recent celebrates the graduation of five of the first MasterCard Foundation Scholars. All of them will be completing their Master’s degrees this year. The five graduates are from Uganda, Mozambique, Zambia, Ghana and Nigeria. They are all planning to return home this year and have exciting plans for their career pursuits in sectors ranging from plant biotechnology and food safety to public policy and economics. They are remarkable young leaders with giant ambitions for change in Africa. They are all doing fascinating work, and have ambitious and worthy goals. Like Mavis Dome, the Scholar from Ghana. Mavis’s father works for the country’s Forestry Commission. Growing up close to the rural towns and villages her father works with and witnessing first-hand how government policy affects local communities has had a great impact on her life. Mavis’s dream is to help young people find work in Ghana. She wants to found an organization for young Ghanaians who haven’t finished their education to develop the skills they need to find work. She is well on her way. This year Mavis will finish her studies at Michigan State University with a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Political Science. We are so proud of her, and all of our graduating Scholars. The University has a 60 year history in Africa — from building African educational institutions to undertaking pioneering and technologically advanced work in food systems, health and environment. The University has a strong partnership with the MasterCard Foundation. There is a true alignment of values and vision between both organisations and a deep commitment to Africa. The five MSU graduates are the first of 19 across the Scholars Program who will graduate this year. This is a remarkable Program helping to change lives and institutions.

Michigan State University

Michigan State University Celebrates First 5 MasterCard Foundation Scholars Graduates