The University of Pretoria’s (UP) postgraduate scholarship office recently hosted a meet-and-greet, bringing together students who have been awarded various scholarships and who are pursuing their master’s and PhD studies at UP.

According to the office, in 2023, 19 international recipients were funded by various organisations and initiatives such as the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World, Margaret McNamara Education Grants, the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarship, the UP Commonwealth Scholarship and the Schlumberger Foundation.

During the event, Dr Carol Nonkwelo, Senior Director of Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Education, emphasised the invaluable role of postgraduate and postdoctoral fellows as key contributors to the institution's research endeavours. She expressed excitement about the University's growing postgraduate community, its increasing international diversity, and its ability to welcome students from various countries and diverse backgrounds. 

The event brought together staff from the UP postgraduate scholarship office and students who have been awarded various scholarships and who are pursuing their master’s and PhD studies at UP.

In line with UP’s 2025 Strategic Plan, this is consistent with the goals of internalisation and fostering growth and diversification in enrolment. Specifically, the University aims to expand its student body, encompassing individuals from disadvantaged communities, international students and postgraduate scholars; this intention is outlined in the University’s Enrolment Plan.

“I encourage the recipients to study hard and complete their studies on time, and to come back as alumni and participate in mentoring and giving back to fellow students and to the institution,” Dr Nonkwelo said.

Rose Baah, a food sciences PhD candidate, expressed her delight upon learning that the Schlumberger Foundation had chosen her as a scholarship recipient. This selection brought immense relief as it allowed her to shift her primary focus to her academic pursuits, alleviating the financial challenges she had been facing. Baah’s doctoral research is titled ‘The nutritional and functional properties of infrared and microwaved heat moisture-treated sorghum meals’.

Yvonne Nyakudya, who is working towards a PhD in industrial systems engineering, was equally delighted about her scholarship. Her research is titled ‘Development of a holistic model for direct reduction iron process to enhance sustainability and reduce environmental degradation’.

“I was so excited when the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World offered me this scholarship,” she said. “It means my hard work does not go unnoticed; I look forward to completing my studies within the stipulated time.”

“It means a lot to have been selected to be funded by the Margaret McNamara Education Grants,” said Hilda Kyomuhimbo, who is doing a PhD in chemical engineering and whose research focuses on immobilising laccase enzyme on metal nanoparticle-polymer composite beads to treat effluents from textile, paper and pharmaceutical industries. “I am grateful and excited for this opportunity and scholarship.”

UP students seeking to further their postgraduate studies are advised to visit www.up.ac.za/funding for possible funding opportunies.