Since its inception in 2016, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Gondar, Ethiopia has focused on lifting up talented youth with disabilities and disadvantages.

Scholars from all parts of the country, as well as scholars from neighboring nations, have been able to gain a once in a lifetime full scholarship and rap around support at the University of Gondar, one of Ethiopia’s top ranked higher institutions.

By accepting these exceptional Scholars the University upheld its responsibility to educating leaders in Africa who want to solve some of society’s deepest problems. And for the past couple of years the Scholars could be seen doing just that. By engaging in community service initiatives and becoming transformative leaders they are certainly holding true to the values of the Program.

With that being said though this year is certainly special for different reasons. For the first time in the Program, the University of Gondar has graduated its first batch of Scholars.

Recently Biset Yalew (Masters in Sociology), Habtamu Alamneh (Masters in Special Needs Education) and Sosna Melkamu (Masters in Nursing) graduated with exceptional marks.

In the coming years more and more Scholars will enter into the work force becoming future leaders in sectors that are vital to the development of their respective nations. These Scholars will become the nation’s next community organizers, engineers, teachers, doctors and politicians. And with the tools and knowledge they have gained over the years it s certain that they will be able to transform into agents of change wherever they go.