Keziah, Master of Science in Manufacturing Technology, Germany Scholarship
Did you know before you started your studies that you fulfill all requirements for a scholarship? How did you find out about this topic?
During my bachelor's degree, I made a conscious effort to engage in activities that were productive to my society. I found out about the Deutschlandstipendium from my department's page. After reading the requirements and seeing that the Deutschlandstipendium focuses on not only academic work but also volunteer work and extracurricular activities, I thought this scholarship might be a good fit for me.
In addition to good and very good grades, volunteer work and extracurricular activities may also be required for a scholarship. In what types of activities were you involved?
I was president of Women in Engineering at the University of Ghana. In my capacity in this position, I organized outreach programs to encourage more females in high schools break the stereotypes that existed in my country about women in male dominated fields like STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). These actions led to being named the Woman of the Month by the Women in Debate Association at the University of Ghana for effectuating change.
I was also involved in working in diverse groups, being one of the 60 students selected around the world to attend the Millennium Youth Camp in Finland, with research focused on clean energy.
I also participated in Model United Nations conferences, worked in committees such as UN Women and UNHCR and was actively involved in debates about world relevant issues.
I also participated in sports, representing my hall of residence at the University of Ghana in the Inter-halls sports tournament in tennis, earning a bronze medal, and in chess, earning a gold medal. I was also named the sports personality of the year by my hall of residence, and became the youngest player to represent my country (Ghana) at the 42nd Chess Olympiad held in Azerbaijan where I officially became a rated chess player.
I also volunteered for the Lifebuoy's campaign 'help a child reach five', teaching young children proper ways to wash their hands.
Furthermore, I was a cellist at the Masters Chamber Orchestra in Ghana.
What do you dream of doing regarding your career? What would you like to achieve later?
Research is very important to me and I see myself either remaining in academia (e.g. in the field of manufacturing) or working in the research and development department in a company. I believe the area of research will give me the chance to explore my creativity and discover new things.
Which tips would you give to grade school and university students who are interested in a scholarship / who would like to apply for a scholarship?
While focusing on good grades, it is important to not forget that we have a responsibility to change the world around us, as little as that change may be. For me, my dream was to have a young Ghanaian girl graduate as an engineer and when asked how she broke the stereotype, my outreach to her grade school would have been the reason. I think it is important for young people to find out what makes them passionate and pursue it with all the passion they have. At the end of the day, whether a scholarship organization notices it or not, the most important thing is to make a change.
Which expectations did you have related to the scholarship?
I expected that it would give me some financial relief, allow me to focus on my studies and also help me find contacts in the industry.