Meet Emmanuel Bernard Muzingwani, A Development Diplomat Who Bagged A Prestigious Fully-Funded Scholarship
Scholarships Info
Scholarships Info sat down with Emmanuel Bernard MUZINGWANI, a Zimbabwean scholar and Founder of United Nations Careers .Com for an enlightening interview on how he was granted a fully-funded Master’s Scholarship to Study at the Pan African University Institute of Water and Energy Sciences – PAUWES
Thank you so much for taking the time with us today. Briefly introduce yourself and the scholarship (s) you have won in the past.
I answer to the name Emmanuel Bernard MUZINGWANI, a Development Diplomat/ Digi-tech diplomat and founder of the United Nations Careers. Com (an online platform that provides authentic and verified opportunities to close 360 000 people per month). I have been privileged to work with the UN in Namibia and Zimbabwe as an International Consultant and National Specialist respectively. I am an alumnus of the United Nations Geneva Graduate Study Programme. I form part of the few selected Young African leaders that won the fully funded (USD 24 000 +) Pan Africa/ African Union Scholarship supported by DAAD, KFW Bank and GIZ
What motivated you to apply for this/these scholarship (s)?
What would basically form a foundational basis for my application to the Africa Union Scholarship is a number of factors (my encounter with the terms diplomacy in my early teenage sparked me to pursue a development diplomacy career) and life experiences characterized by electricity blackouts in urban area which forced us to travel long distances (10km) and fetch for firewood in the beautiful mountains of Mutare. Often, we would encounter municipality police who would confiscate our firewood and make us pay a fine. As this was not enough, during my Advanced level studies, a lot of blackouts in our area would force us to stay long hours at St Dominic’s which was a day school to study in preparation for our GCE A level Studies. I was determined to change this issue of energy poverty. Against, this background, l had an opportunity to volunteer with UNICEF as a Climate Digital Mapper and formed part of Youth Stakeholders who participated in the development of the Zimbabwe Renewable Energy Policy between 2016-2017. These experiences were eye-opening as they informed me of the need to be involved in bringing solutions to the energy challenges bedeviling most developing countries. When the call for application from Pan Africa University Institute for Water and Energy Sciences was established, I didn’t give a second thought, I applied for the Master’s in Energy Policy Programme, in Tlemcen, Algeria
Now that you are done with your studies (scholarship), are you planning to pursue further studies in the near future? If YES, kindly explain why
Yes. I intend to pursue a Ph.D., in fact, l have begun to apply for some funded Ph.D. programmes. As someone who has been working with the UNDP, l am aware of some suggested pipeline projects and programmes that will alleviate energy poverty. I thus intend to cross-pollinate ideas through studying for a Ph.D. while implementing projects in the international development space
Are you recording successes in relation to your scholarship studies? In other words, how have your scholarship-related studies helped you in the world of work?
Indeed, I managed to secure work with the UNDP working in Namibia and Zimbabwe Country Offices on Sustainable development focusing on nature, climate, and energy projects. I aligned my master’s thesis to one of UNDP’s projects on the provision of clean energy to healthcare facilities. My thesis focused on an Ex-post evaluation to determine and enhance the sustainability of International development partners’ renewable energy projects in Namibia focusing on the Pren-Project and Solar for Health Project. This aided in securing work with the UN
Judging from your previous experience, what is the secret for one to win a scholarship?
- Define clear goals for your career
- Approach Alumni of Scholarships via LinkedIn and ask for assistance with review of your application documents
- Review past and sound SOPs/ Statement of Purpose and tailor make your own to the application
- Presenting a well-killer CV
- Demonstrate how your reception of the scholarship will assist in resolving / solving pressing and genuine global challenges/country-specific or continental issues
- Acquire some voluntary work/internship wile applying for scholarships, this will give you an aid above other candidates
Do you think African Governments are doing enough to expand the academic opportunities to African students, especially the disadvantaged?
While the example of AU scholarship, Mauritius Scholarships, SADC scholarships, and Presidential Scholarships (Zimbabwe study in Russia, Algeria, etc.) are examples of successful government co-sponsored scholarships, it’s not enough to cater for the massive disadvantaged African students. Misuse of public funds/corruption remains a menacing challenge that affects such noble programs for funding scholarships. A sustainability plan for scholarships needs to be put up.
Are there any exemplary scholarship programs being done across the African continent which you think should spread to other countries?
- Zimbabwe Presidential Scholarships
- Mauritius Scholarships
- NSF-Namibia Student Funding
- Mastercard Foundation Scholarships
- Research Scholarships in South Africa
- Africa Leadership Scholarship in Rwanda
On the global stage, do you think African students and professionals are afforded the same opportunities as those from other continents? Do you think Africans are doing enough to take advantage of the availed global opportunities?
-Not enough given that donations/ funding is geared towards a certain portion/population in Africa. In addition, JPOs from countries like Italy, Swedish, Norway, Netherlands, UK among others present a better advantage for citizens of these countries to join International Organisations such as the United Nations. One can further make reference to Japanese/ Chinese sponsored UN Volunteer programs further places young professionals from these countries to lead and dominate International organizations. To some extent, some Africans do take advantage of opportunities such as Swedish Government Scholarships, Chevening, Mandela Washington. On the other hand, many young people lack information on how to apply for these programs.
What do you think is the best route to ensure that all students and professionals who are awarded opportunities abroad return to their home countries upon completion of their studies and internships rather than utilizing their skills in foreign lands?
- Returning students/ professionals must venture into entrepreneurship programs
- Government facilitates the conducive creation of work/ jobs by sponsoring some students to join International Organizations like the UN.
- Sponsoring organizations of scholarship could further their programs through grants like settling in grants that can be channeled for startups by students
- Map a sustainability plan through collaboration between Industries/Ministries/ Organizations with sponsoring institutions for the retention of some students
What advice would you give to someone out there in need of a scholarship
There are massive and plenty of opportunities out there, don’t despair or give up on your dreams because of lack of funding for your studies, network via LinkedIn, find mentors, and check sites such as Youth Opportunities Hub, and United Nations Careers. Com for some available funding opportunities.
ENDS.
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ALSO, CHECK: A Look Into How This Brilliant Young Kenyan Won A Fully-Funded Master’s Scholarship In 2018
