My ASP scholarship journey (Africa Scholarship Program)

Emmanuel Nyame, selected from 1500 applicants for the Africa Scholarship Program, shares with us his experience towards Wageningen University and Research. This program allowed him to start the Food Safety Master and the big opportunity to stay in a foreign country. Be inspired by the story below.

MY (ASP) SCHOLARSHIP JOURNEY

My name is Emmanuel Nyame from Ghana. I completed my bachelor’s degree in Food science and Technology at the “Kwame Nkrumah University of science and Technology, Ghana where I later served as a Teaching and Research Assistant.

It is an honour and privilege to be awarded the prestigious “Africa Scholarship Program” to study a master’s program in Food Safety at Wageningen University and Research, Netherland.

Wageningen University and Research (WUR) initiated The Africa Scholarship Programme (ASP). This programe gives, motivated and talented students from Africa, the opportunity to study in Wageningen University.

With this fellowship, WUR aims to support capacity building in Africa.

Food Safety, as well as nutrition, is a critical health issue in Ghana. In my part of the world where there is prevalence of food insecurity, people tend to consume whatever they lay their hands on, oblivious of the source, safety and nutrient content.

Food security issues in Ghana drives my initiative to broaden my knowledge in Food Safety, a major aspect of food security.

My interest in Food Safety begin after I had internships with the Food Research Institute and the Mycotoxin laboratory in Ghana. I was working on “peanut and mycotoxin innovation” lab project aimed at ensuring minimal levels of aflatoxin in foods.

After being in the field of Food Science, I needed more practical skills. Therefore, I  was looking for a good  institution ranked high in Food research. 

There is no better place to achieve this requisite training than Wageningen University and Research. Which is the best Agricultural and Food Science university in the world. 

As a result, my search led me to WUR. Afterwards, the source of funding became a problem because education abroad is really expensive. I had no means of funding myself. 

Looking for sources of funding on the University’s website  I got to know of the Africa Scholarship Programme.

My journey towards the scholarship application only started as a dream.

I took a daring step because the scholarship is targeted at only 5 motivated, talented and excellent students from Africa.

After several months of prayers, research, persistence, writing, sleepless nights and an interview, I deem it a great privilege, I was selected out of the 1500 applicants for the 2019/2020 ASP scholarship.

Yaw (left) and Emmanuel (right). Wageningen University and Research. Photographer: Ester

A big thank you to WUR and the Wageningen University Fellowship programme (WUFP) for this great opportunity  and making my dream a reality.

Emmanuel Nyame

ASP Scholar, 2019/2020.

Thank you Emmanuel Nyame for your enthusiasm, this will inspire other African students in your foot steps. We are sure you will achieve your academic goals. Enjoy your stay in Wageningen!