Principal's introduction

Professor Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor shares his thoughts on the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

Being part of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program for the past seven years has been an immense privilege for the University of Edinburgh. We have benefited from 240 scholars coming from 26 different African countries and studying in 13 of our Schools. Their presence has enlivened and diversified our campus and our city, allowing people who have never had the opportunity to travel to the African continent to meet and learn from some of the young, capable and exciting people that the continent is producing.

After their studies in Edinburgh they have gone on to a wide range of influential roles in which we are confident they will continue to shape a better world, including in fintech, agribusiness, education, healthcare, policy-making and the arts. We want more: we hope further cohorts of Africa’s future leaders will grace Edinburgh and we will continue to contribute to the potential of that magical continent and its talented progeny.

Thank you to the Mastercard Foundation, to all my colleagues who have worked so hard to support and develop the scheme, and most of all to the scholars themselves for everything they have contributed to the University of Edinburgh.