November 2010 - University of Johannesburg

{ 14 | SCHOLARSHIP }UJ student thrilled withtop scholarship BY CAMILLA BATHUNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG (UJ) STUDENT MARY OPONDO KNEW INSTANTLY THAT THE MANDELA RHODES SCHOLARSHIPWOULD BE “JUST PERFECT” FOR HER. BUT THE 23-YEAR-OLD KENYAN SAYS SHE ONLY HEARD ABOUT IT THROUGH SHEER LUCK,WHEN SHE WAS TOLD ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY BY A FRIEND ON SOCIAL NETWORK SITE FACEBOOK.Months later, Opondo is aproud 2011 Scholar-elect,who is looking forwardto improving the lives ofpeople in her home regionof East Africa throughher postgraduate studies.She plans to completeher Honours Degree inDevelopment Studies afterstudying a BA in Politics.The scholarship coverstuition fees, book costs,accommodation, meals andtravel expenses. It is awardedto students who excelacademically and aspireto be leaders of characterand intellect.“I applied for the scholarshipas the training was beingoffered to potential leaders,”says Opondo. “I want to focuson gender equality and HIV/Aids, especially in East Africa.Sudan is still ravaged by war,and many women there haveno voice. I believe I can helpthem,” she adds.Opondo is keen to deal withissues around Aids awareness,treatment and preventionin the region. “There areplaces where people haveto bribe officials for antiretrovirals.I want to focus onways to work with and helpnon-profit organisations.”NURTURING ACADEMICEXCELLENCE: FACULTY OFHUMANITIES EXECUTIVEDEAN, PROF RORY RYAN,WITH PROF DAVID MOOREAND 2011 MANDELARHODES SCHOLAR-ELECT,MARY OPONDO.UJ offers improved accessto postgraduate studyopportunitiesThe chance to apply for aMandela Rhodes Scholarshipis one of numerousopportunities for qualitypostgraduate study offered atUJ. The University has recentlyincreased its investment inscholarships, making over R25-million available to Mastersand PhD students alone. Over100 third-party bursariesand loans are also availableto students who meet thequalifying criteria.Opondo says she jumped atthe chance to study at thisvibrant university: “I cameto UJ because there is somuch opportunity here. UJdefinitely helped me to obtainthis scholarship. When I wasin my first year, I becameinvolved with peer mentorsand societies and they helpedme so much. The Universityoffers you all the opportunitiesyou need and it does notdiscriminate. I am not aSouth African but I was ableto reach these heights here.The staff are encouraging andmotivating; it’s like having yourparents around all the time!”Opondo, who was speechlesswhen she heard that shewas accepted into theMandela Rhodes Scholarshipprogramme, encouragesher fellow students to “bedetermined, be active, listen towhat other people have to sayand never give up”.Prof Rory Ryan, ExecutiveDean of the Faculty ofHumanities, said this was a“fantastic achievement, bothfor Mary and the Departmentof Anthropology andDevelopment Studies. This isthe second Mandela Rhodesscholarship award in theFaculty of Humanities in twoyears, and we aim to make itthree years in a row.”