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Baobab Summit 2022

A Decade of Impact

This event has ended.

The Baobab Summit is a gathering of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, where our Scholars, Alumni and partners come together to connect, co-create, share, learn and reflect.

This year, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program marks its decennial at the Baobab Summit: Scholars@10 Edition, in celebration of a Decade of Transformative Impact and Learning. As our first in-person convening in more than two years, we are excited to reconnect.

 

Baobab Summit 2022 Arrivals

While this year’s Baobab Summit remains true to its intent to foster connection, build community, and equip Scholars with the skills and knowledge they need to drive change and grow as leaders, we will also use the opportunity to take a trip down memory lane – reflecting on the impact of the program, its values, and how it has evolved. In addition, we will look to the future. The Baobab Summit will also feature the Social Venture Challenge, performances from Speak Your Mind winners, and the Scholars flag waving ceremony.

Watch highlights of the Summit here.

 

 

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Watch the live events

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Opening Ceremony of the Baobab Summit 2022

Watch the Opening Ceremony, which includes the special tradition of the Flag Ceremony, where Scholars and universities represent their countries of origin. Learn about the future of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and the needs of the global marketplace through discussions with Scholars and guest panelists.

Welcome Remarks with Zein Abdalla, Chairman of the Mastercard Foundation Board of Directors

Flag Ceremony: witness the energized procession of flags representing the countries our Scholars are from.

Reflective Moments with 
• Bior Ajak, McGill University, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni, South Sudan
• Lynda Alvarado Cruz, EARTH University, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni, Honduras

Where We Started – Join our Inaugural Partners in a discussion about the beginnings of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

Speakers:

• Reeta Roy, President and CEO, Mastercard Foundation
• Ann Cotton, Founder and Trustee, CAMFED
• Iman Nuwayhid, Professor & Former Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut
• Patrick Awuah, Founder & President, Ashesi University
• José Zaglul, Former President, EARTH University
• James Mwangi, Executive Chairman, Equity Group Foundation
• Chris Bradford, Co-Founder, African Leadership Academy
• Fred Swaniker, Founder, African Leadership Group
Moderator, Julie Gichuru, Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer, Mastercard Foundation

A Bold & Audacious Future – Phil Cotton, Director, Human Capital Development at the Mastercard Foundation, speaks about the future of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

Reflection with Marion Apio, Makarere University, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni, Co-Founder, Girls Alive, Uganda

Performance by Nkosinathi Mzembe, Ashesi University, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni, Zambia

For Us, By Us

Hear first-hand from Scholars how the Scholars Program has impacted them and their communities. What are the highlights and the lessons from their journeys? What is the legacy they want to leave in their communities? How do they want to influence others?

Key stakeholders from the private sector, government and the entrepreneurship ecosystem  join Scholars to discuss the support and skills needed for young people to successfully transition into the workforce and thrive in various fields.

My Personal Experience and Beyond. Experience from Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni
• Hon. Eng. Patricie Uwase, UC Berkeley Alumni, Rwanda, Minister of Infrastructure in Rwanda
• Michael Samakayi, University of Toronto Alumni, Zambia, Coordinator, Canadian Hearing Services
• Fanny Gaisie, CAMFED Alumni, Ghana, Western Regional Program Coordinator, CAMFED
• Amena Hussein, American University of Beirut Alumni, Lebanon

Panel Discussion with Mastercard Foundation Scholars and  Alumni

• Teni Agana, Ashesi University Alumni, Ghana, Founder Loozelee
• Sampson Nwachukwu, University of Cape Town Alumni, Nigeria
• Nicolas Ssebirumbi, Makerere University Alumni, Uganda
• Lisa Canto, EARTH Alumni, Belize
• Juliet Mashiri, African Leadership College, Zimbabwe, Current Scholar

Moderated by Pauline Gangla, Head Eastern and Southern Africa Partner Network Programs, Mastercard Foundation.

Transitioning to the Workforce, Employability & Driving Economic Prosperity

• Fred Swaniker, Founder, African Leadership Group
• Hilina Legesse, Country Manager, EthioJobs
• Allen Kendunga, Founder & CEO, Talent Match
• Kofi Dadzie, Founder & Former CEO, Rancard

Moderated by Rosy Fynn, Country Head, Ghana, Mastercard Foundation.

Related Content

Celebrating 10 Years of the Scholars Program

In 2022, the Scholars Program is turning 10. Together we will reflect on what we have learned and look to the next 10 years developing Africa’s youth leaders.

Learn more about Scholars@10

Watch: Reflections on a Decade of Impact

To kickoff Scholars@10: A Decade of Transformative Impact and Learnings our first virtual event, invited Scholars, alumni, and partners to share their reflections, achievements, and lessons.

Watch the full conversation here

Watch: Catalyzing Impact in Our Communities

This virtual event celebrated one of the key pillars of the Scholars Program; the Collective Impact of Our Community. We will look back on the impact the program has catalyzed within communities and discuss our renewed focus for the next 10 years.

Watch the full conversation here

Using One’s Voice to Question, Empower And Inspire

Elma Akob, Mastercard Foundation Scholar alum and Baobab Summit co-emcee writes about the power of using one’s voice to question, empower and inspire.

Read more

How Changing My Attitude and Thought Patterns Created Purpose and a New Beautiful World

Mastercard Foundation Scholar Joy Birungi writes about how changing her attitude and thought patterns helped create a new, beautiful, and purposeful world.

Read more

Reimagining My Realities

The COVID-19 pandemic has created new realities that have pushed me to reimagine my roles as a student, mother, professional, and cofounder.

Read more

Meet the 2020 Resolution Social Venture Challenge winners

The Social Venture Challenge provides a pathway to action for socially responsible young leaders who want to create change in their communities.

Read more

On Resilience

Benjamin Obeng, Mastercard Foundation Scholar Alumnus at Arizona State University delivered a keynote speech on resilience.

Read more

Scholars Helping Syrian Refugee Students in Lebanon Gain Education through a Mobile App

Mahmoud Kanso, Nour Al-Bidewe, Zainab Al Mohammad, and Eslam Abo Alhawa are Syrian students living in Lebanon who have started a social venture called EduPass, a free-of-charge service to help other Syrian children in Lebanon who have dropped out of school due to an inability to pay school fees.

Read more

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