The document introduces the first cohort of Cambridge-Africa Scholars, which are scholarships awarded to outstanding applicants from Sub-Saharan Africa to pursue postgraduate degrees at the University of Cambridge. The first five scholars joined in 2015-2016, including Miss Halimatou Hima from Niger, who is pursuing a PhD in Development Studies on factors that help some rural students, particularly women, continue their education while others do not. The scholarships are funded by the University of Cambridge and Cambridge Trust, and five African scholars will be selected each year through 2020.

1. First Cohort of Cambridge-Africa Scholars
Promoting research excellence in Sub-Saharan Africa
Cambridge-Africa Scholarships are awarded to outstanding applicants from Sub-Saharan Africa to
pursue a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. The
first five scholars joined the University this year (2015-16).
Miss Halimatou Hima from Niger Republic is one of the first five Cambridge-Africa Scholars.
Halimatou was award a Cambridge-Africa scholarship for a PhD student at the Centre for
Development Studies. Her research is focused on… She is the current President of the African Society
of Cambridge University. She is a founding member of Harambe Entrepreneur Alliance, a network of
young African entrepreneurs spearheading high impact social and business ventures across the
continent and beyond.
Miss Halimatou Hima from Niger is one of the first five Cambridge-Africa Scholars. She was the first
president of the Youth Parliament in her country during which time she engaged various
stakeholders for national campaigns on girls' education. Halimatou has keen interest in community
development and a commitment to inspiring women to become leaders. With a group of visionary
students, she founded Harambe Entrepreneur Alliance, which supports young African professionals
to launch social and business ventures worldwide while at Wellesley College (Massachusetts, USA),
where she obtained a BA in International Relations/Economics and Africana Studies. She is a Moremi
Fellow and was on the list of ‘Africa’s 25 top emerging women leaders under 25 for their
commitment to service’ in 2011.
Halimatou also holds a Masters in Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at
Harvard University. She received the Harvard Kennedy School 2014 Barbara Jordan Award for

2. Women’s Leadership. Upon graduating, she joined the World Bank’s President Science of Delivery,
which seeks to explore what works (or doesn’t) and why in a given context. Halima has worked
extensively in Niger on child marriage, girls’ education and youth participation with UNICEF and the
government of Niger. She independently spearheaded microenterprise programs with women, many
of whom significantly increased their weekly incomes.
Halimatou is the first student from Francophone Africa to be awarded a Cambridge-Africa
scholarship. At the University of Cambridge, she is pursuing a PhD in Development Studies. Her
research is on trends and patterns that may explain how and why some students from rural areas,
particularly women succeed in furthering their education while others don’t. Halimatou is
particularly interested in the intersection of research and public policy with the aim of meaningfully
contributing to improving the livelihoods of the most impoverished, particularly women in rural
areas. Since arriving in Cambridge she has been actively involved in organising events including talks
and debates focused on the most salient issues on African. She is the current President of the African
Society of Cambridge University and chair of the annual Africa Together conference.
The other Cambridge-Africa scholars are Miss Taskeen Adam from South Africa, who is studying
Engineering, Mr Felix Agyemang (Land Economy) and Mr Ebenezer Gyamera (Plant Sciences) both
from Ghana and Mr Olamide Oguntoye (Engineering) from Nigeria. The scholarships are funded by
the University of Cambridge and Cambridge Trust. Five African scholars will be funded each year
until 2020.
On 14th January 2016, the Cambridge Trust at the University of Cambridge organised a reception for
new African students admitted to study at the University to meet with their colleagues, as well as
members of the Cambridge-Africa Programme, the Gates Trust, the International Strategy Office and
the Pro-Vice-Chancellors' Office. The full range of photos from the event are available to view at
https://www.flickr.com/photos/cctcot/sets/72157661406979514.