With the hopes of driving positive change in their home countries, two Health Administration (MHSc) students are cultivating their leadership skills as Mastercard Foundation Scholars.
By: Marielle Boutin
Jean Francois Regis Manzi Ntwali and Bethlehem (Betty) Sisay Tefera were both accepted as Scholars and are currently completing their Master of Health Science (MHSc) in Health Administration at IHPME. They are two of nine individuals currently enrolled in the MHSc program as Mastercard Scholars.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program was established in 2013 to engage recent graduates or alumni of Africa Health Collaborative partner universities, providing them with educational opportunities to develop skills and knowledge that they can apply following their graduation and return home.
The program provides scholars with support such as tuition, residence, meals, and travel, as well as special orientations, mentorship and internship opportunities.
“Mastercard Foundation is well-known for its extensive philanthropic activities in Ethiopia,” says Sisay Tefera. “Regarding U of T, I have long admired its legacy and recognized its name among the giants of academia. When I came across this opportunity, I had to seize the chance.”
Sisay Tefera is a trained physician from Ethiopia, where she held several clinical positions at privately operated clinics, a military hospital, and at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, the largest specialized hospital in the country.
As a front-line clinician, she became frustrated with how the health system works and chose to pursue a postgraduate degree in health administration with the hope of better understanding the complexities she experienced firsthand.
“It’s often easy to identify what isn’t working and how things are “supposed” to be without fully grasping the intricacies of the system,” says Sisay Tefera. “I wanted to understand how such a complex system operates.”
Manzi Ntwali shares these aspirations of enhancing quality of care from a systemic point of view. He recalls his time growing up in Kigali, Rwanda, and witnessing the atrocities carried out during the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994. The physical and mental effects of these events were substantial, and remain to this day, resulting in an increase in drug addiction among young people. This inspired Manzi Ntwali’s commitment to improving mental health policies and education, leading him to further his studies at IHPME as a Mastercard Scholar.
“I had the opportunity to meet Rita Rwigamba […] and I shared my aspirations in global health operations and how I want to pursue a master’s degree to make my dream come true,” says Manzi Ntwali. “She offered me valuable advice on leveraging my personal story and healthcare experience and with her guidance, I ultimately received my admission to U of T.”
Since starting their studies at IHPME, both Sisay Tefera and Manzi Ntwali have been impressed with how much the MHSc program has broadened their perspective on healthcare, owing to the provided opportunities to engage with accomplished peers and industry leaders.
Sisay Tefera says it has been a “fantastic experience,” calling particular attention to the diversity and comprehensiveness of the courses offered.
Manzi Ntwali has pulled inspiration from the emphasis on experiential learning and real-world applications.
“The exposure has been instrumental in broadening my understanding of health administration,” says Manzi Ntwali.
As they embark on the next phase of their professional growth, Sisay Tefera and Manzi Ntwali remain grateful for the Mastercard Foundation’s support, not only for providing access to education and scholarship, but also for fostering a sense of belonging and connection within a community.
“Because of this opportunity, I have met people whom I can now call friends, whom I otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance to meet,” says Sisay Tefera.
“Connecting with fellow scholars from various African countries and backgrounds provides a platform to share personal stories, overcome challenges, and inspire one another,” says Manzi Ntwali.
Both scholars are eager to continue shaping their own personal and academic growth to transform their continent and make a lasting global impact.
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Communications
Marielle Boutin
Email Address: ihpme.communications@utoronto.ca