Solar Power Installation Project
Zambia – July 2020
Mechanics for Africa applied for a £15,000 grant from the Beit trust for the installation of a solar and lighting protection project
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Female Ward Extension
Zimbabwe – June 2021
Palliative care is an essential component of a comprehensive package of care for people living with HIV/AIDS because of the variety of symptoms they can experience
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Ultralight aircraft for aerial conservation support
Zimbabwe – July 2019
We really have been VERY busy with Z-FFW. She really is a fantastic machine and we are very grateful to the Beit Trust for your support. She already has over 130hrs on the clock and has been very well used.
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Beit Scholars are special, and have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with one another. Once a Beit Scholar, always a Beit Scholar. We invite all Beit Scholars, from whatever era, to join the BSA Facebook page here.
For further information, please contact Ashleigh Mitchley, our Scholarship and Alumni Co-Ordinator, via email on scholarships@beittrust.org.uk. We are happy to connect Beit Scholars with each other, provided their permission is given.
I hold a Bachelor of Engineering in Mining Engineering, majoring in Rock Mechanics, from The Copperbelt University in Zambia.
Some of my success stories upon joining the mining industry were being the first female Underground (management) Mining Engineer/Mine Captain at one of the major mining companies in Zambia, first female Mine Rescuer in Zambia, was awarded Zambian Mining Woman of the year 2014 by The Zambia Chamber of Mines.
I have a postgraduate degree in Mining Engineering, specialising in Rock Mechanics & Geotechnical Engineering. I chose my postgraduate course because I already had knowledge in geotechnics of rock and needed to learn on the geotechnical engineering of soil too.
The Beit Scholarship Award helped me achieve my goals in that by and after attaining my MSc Degree from Imperial College London, including my industry work experience, I was beginning to be locally (Zambia) & internationally recognised by so many mining companies as a qualified and competent Geotechnical Engineer. In short, this opportunity opened so many doors of employment/opportunities for me worldwide.
I have given back to my region mostly by encouraging the young ladies/women at different levels of learning institutions to be encouraged & courageous enough to pursue even careers that are deemed by society as male dominated. I have done this through holding career talks.
I have also given back by having worked in the mining industry in Zambia after my studies.
In my sparetime I enjoy reading, cooking, singing, voluntary work and donating at orphanages, camping, watching documentaries/movies, etc.
My advice to future scholars is that nothing is impossible to attain and achieve, and the sky is not the limit. There is much more beyond the sky!
I received my BSc (Hons) degree in Applied Physics from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, in 2015, where I was awarded the NUST Book Prize for academic excellence.
I then received the Beit-Leeds Scholarship Award in 2019, which enabled me to study for an MSc degree in Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy Systems at the University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. I pursued this program of study due to my keen interest in addressing equity and climate change through renewable-based energy transitions.
The rewarding learning experience at a Russell Group university has enabled me to contribute to the ongoing energy transition for low-carbon economic growth. During my academic tenure at the University of Leeds, I co-authored two research papers, one of which received a high commendation in the Sustainability and Practice category at the SEEDS 2020 International Conference.
I then went on to work as the Projects Director of a green energy company in Zimbabwe that works towards mitigating climate change through holistic approaches that ensure sustainable socio-economic development.
At present, I am a member of the Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition and youth climate action groups, the YOUNGO@UNFCCC and the UN-MGCY SDG7 Youth Constituency. I am also a mentor at Tea in 60, a community of thriving Zimbabwean women seeking to create a diverse, culture-rich STEM environment by inspiring Zimbabwean girls and women to realise the endless possibilities within STEM.
The Beit-Leeds Scholarship Award has been a great steppingstone towards achieving my career goal of becoming a sustainable energy leader that will help pioneer the future of energy systems to drive sustainable development. My advice to the new scholars is to take advantage of this great opportunity to network and collaborate for the greater good; Invest in the development of others just as the Beit Trust has invested in your own.
I studied a Bachelor’s Degree in Geology at the University of Zambia and graduated with a distinction. In my undergraduate studies, I topped my class consecutively for 4 years.
My area of expertise is Earth Sciences (Geology and Geophysics). I choose Geophysics because I am interested in the numbers of the earth materials.
Beit Trust provided me with an opportunity to achieve my goals by funding all my MSc course including living and accommodation fees.
I’ve been helping my country through First Quantum Minerals to find Minerals such as copper and cobalt as these metals are important in the green energy that the government has embarked on.
In my spare time I like reading books, watching YouTube, listening to music, taking walks. I also plan on tutoring Geophysics at the University of Zambia on a voluntary basis.
Once given the opportunity to study under the Beit Trust scholarship, hold it with both hands and make sure you study and follow the rules and laws of the host Country (i.e South Africa and United Kingdom). Such opportunities are rear so use them to your advantage to better your home country and the world at large.
When I was studying my undergraduate degree in social work at the University of Zimbabwe, I developed an interest in working within the Deaf community. I realised that there were few social workers who could communicate in Zimbabwean Sign Language hence increasing access barriers for deaf people. I then began working with Zimbabwe Deaf Media Trust and Deaf Women Included to learn more about Deaf culture, sign language and disability rights at large.
With this background and interest in disability rights, I chose to undertake a Masters in Disability Studies with the University of Leeds. The programme not only strengthened my understanding of disability rights, theories and politics but also enabled me to network with various scholars and practitioners working within the disability community.
Post my qualification I managed to apply to be an online volunteer with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (Regional Office of Southern Africa) where I had the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge on the UN Human Rights Mechanisms and contribute my knowledge and expertise on disability rights. I was also selected as one of the 6 young experts on intersectional discrimination with the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe which provided a platform where, as young people from various movements, we could explore the applicability of the intersectional theory in the work we do. I have also continued to work with Deaf Women Included and Zimbabwe Deaf Media Trust in fighting for the recognition and promotion of disability rights in Zimbabwe. We have also continued to advocate for the protection of women and girls with disabilities from all forms of violence and continue to raise awareness on the need for accessible shelters for survivors of GBV with disabilities.
I continue to fight for the recognition of disability rights in Zimbabwe and to partner with organisations for persons with disabilities. As a Zimbabwean Sign Language interpreter I also continue to offer my services to the Deaf community.
I am interested in learning about new cultures, sign languages and travelling.
My advice to future scholars is that when you are applying for a scholarship, link what you have done in the past with what you are currently doing and what you are proposing to do. Your area of study should be linked to your future career goals and aspirations. Also ask yourself; how will I, my community and my nation benefit from my studies? Lastly, work on your application and submit. It’s always worth a try. We all went through the application process and until we had applied, we did not know we stood a chance!
The Beit scholarship has been more than just funding as it has resulted in lasting friendships, networks and a family to turn to whilst working on my career. Thank you for the support.
I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Politics and Public Management in 2015. After completing my undergraduate studies I worked in the NGO sector where I implemented peacebuilding, conflict transformation and development projects in communities that had been affected by political violence and historical marginalisation.
My areas of academic expertise are political consultancy, peace and security studies, international relations and governance. My postgraduate course broadened my understanding of global security, intelligence, civil unrest and intrastate conflict in Africa.
Since graduating from the University of Leeds I have been working as a security consultant for international firms focusing on cyber security, illicit financial flows, travel risk management, OSINT, data and behavioural analytics.
I have been able to identify opportunities for investment for international clients with a keen interest in Zimbabwe.
In my spare time I am interested in and enjoy hiking, basketball, football and camping.
My advice is to strike a balance between your studies and extracurricular activities. Most importantly travel, keep an open mind and make friendships with people from different backgrounds.
I attended the University of Cape Town in South Africa for my undergraduate studies. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts specializing in Film and Media Production. My degree was awarded with distinction in Film and Television Studies and Studies in Film and Media Production.
During my undergraduate studies I explored the phenomena of migration, xenophobia, and social justice issues and endeavoured to contribute towards the pursuit of social justice professionally. I began working as a program assistant and information officer at the Kubatana Trust of Zimbabwe, a civil society information hub which works towards making human rights and laws accessible to citizens as well as promoting civic engagement.
Through my work in the non-profit sector, I saw how effective civil society was in the pursuit of social justice and development in Zimbabwe. I decided to further my studies so that I could increase the value of my participation in civil society and learn how to be a more effective part of a team of people working towards the betterment of citizen’s lives through the elimination of injustice and discrimination. That is why I chose to study International Development with, of course, a focus on Africa. My areas of academic expertise were in African Studies as well as Gender and Development. For my thesis, I explored the gender equality interventions of the Government of Zimbabwe and whether they are effective and sustainable.
Thanks to the Beit Scholarship Award I was able to obtain a Master’s Degree in Africa and International Development from the prestigious University of Edinburgh. This has empowered me to contribute more fully to civil society in Zimbabwe and directly work towards the country’s development whilst improving the lives of citizens. I now work as a Grants Manager at an organization that provides medical, psychological and legal services to victims of organized violence and torture in Zimbabwe.
I am helping to provide emergency services to citizens who are victims of organized violence and torture who in turn will be more equipped to seek legal redress. The hope is that people who are victims of organized violence and abuse will be fully rehabilitated and through holistic support and empowerment are able to fully participate and reintegrate into society and the life of their choosing and that as more perpetrators of human rights abuses are held accountable, the number of incidences of human rights abuses will decrease in Zimbabwe.
During my studies in Scotland one of my lecturers spoke to the class about the importance of finding a hobby to balance our studies, particularly during the thesis writing period. Thus, I was inspired to take up a new instrument and began to take music lessons in classical saxophone! Since returning home I have continued taking music lessons and have graduated two grades in music theory.
My other interests and hobbies include nature conservation and African literature.
My advice for future scholars is to work smart in your academic studies. Take the time to meet and learn from new people, particularly people from different cultures and countries and walks of life. Also take the opportunity to learn more about yourself by saying yes to new experiences, particularly if you are studying in a country that you have never been to before. Finally, interact with your lecturers and do not be afraid to ask for the help you need – they want you to do as well as you possibly can.
