A motivated student from flood-prone Bayelsa, Nigeria named Nyingilayefa Gift Ernest was awarded a full Mastercard Foundation Scholarship to study for a Master’s degree in Food Security at the University of Edinburgh. Nyingilayefa’s academic path is based on impact and purpose, driven by her personal encounters with environmental issues and food hunger. She developed a strong foundation in nutrition, plant science, and sustainability with a Bachelor of Biochemistry degree and a GPA of 4.23, equipping her to tackle urgent problems in the food chain with evidence-based solutions.

Her dedication to personal growth and the success stories of previous scholarship recipients served as inspiration for her scholarship journey. Despite the failure of her initial application in 2023, she took the setback as an opportunity to improve her objectives and essays. She was chosen when she reapplied in 2024 with a clearer vision. In addition to providing her with financial assistance (tuition, travel, lodging, and tools), the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program also gives her access to a global network of climate leaders and changemakers, mentorship, and skill development opportunities.
Nyingilayefa credits her success to the sincerity of her narrative, her commitment to changing the world, and her alignment with the program’s objective. She stresses that every setback is a chance to improve and counsels aspiring scholars to never give up, stay true to their purpose, conduct in-depth research, and get feedback.
CREDIT: ALLSCHOOL, Allschoolabs
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