Zim students awarded Oxford scholarships
TWO Zimbabwean students have been selected to further their studies at the University of Oxford in England after being awarded the 2024 Rhodes scholarships.
Nyasha Mukonoweshuro (23) and Brendon Mahere (24) were handed the scholarships in Harare on Friday.
The Rhodes Scholarship is a fully funded postgraduate award that enables talented young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford.
Mukonoweshuro is currently studying at Yale University, where she is majoring in history and Mahere is doing postgraduate studies in engineering at Al Akhawayn University in Morocco.
Zimbabwe Rhodes Scholarship national secretary Mr Dalumuzi Mhlanga said the University of Oxford provides world-class research and educational facilities.
“The Rhodes Scholarship is one of the most pre-eminent scholarships to fund postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford and it’s a scholarship fund that has run for over 120 years,” he said.
“Every year, just over a hundred young people are selected from nearly 60 countries to study at Oxford on the Rhodes Scholarship. In Zimbabwe, we select two students every year; we are very proud and happy to have selected Brendon and
Nyasha this year.”
He also said when selecting beneficiaries, they look for well-rounded individuals.
“The selection criteria focuses on academic excellence, but we look beyond how students perform in the class and think of how they are performing outside of the class,” he added.
“We look for demonstration of leadership, kindness and caring for others and contribution to society and moral force of character as well.”
The Rhodes Scholarship, he said, was open to every Zimbabwean doing undergraduate studies.
Mukonoweshuro said she was excited about the opportunity to study at Oxford. Mahere said: “I am overwhelmed and very grateful to the selection committee. “Oxford is a life-changing experience, it’s something you just dream about.”