Now in its third year, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge will enable 500 talented, service-oriented young Africans to pursue a master’s and grow their leadership potential.
As one of the 16 Mastercard Foundation partner institutions offering postgraduate training, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Cambridge contributes to the goal of ‘developing the next generation of transformative leaders’. Young people come to Cambridge with a diverse range of specialties and perspectives – all committed to driving sustainable change in Africa and beyond in a multitude of ways.
Thabiso Ncube, studying an MPhil in Genomic Medicine, is one of 58 Mastercard Foundation Scholars from 14 different African countries in the class of 2024/25. He talks to us about his journey so far, the challenges and opportunities he and his peers face, and his ambition to help transform genomics research in his home country, Zimbabwe.
Thabiso remembers the moment he found out that he’d been accepted into the prestigious Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program well.
‘That’s a funny story. It was during the week, early in the morning, I was ironing my shirt for work and saw the email come in and thought ‘oh my goodness’.
I opened it, only to see that I’d been awarded a scholarship to study an MPhil in film studies – not the course that I’d applied for. I was like, ‘Is this a mistake? Did I actually get it?’ I think five minutes later that email was recalled and another came through confirming I had been awarded the scholarship for the correct course.
I was speechless. It felt like suddenly my efforts had been validated. I ran and woke my mum and showed her the email. That was a pretty special walk to work that day.”
For Thabiso, studying a master’s in genomics is a long-awaited chance to pursue his passion.
He had studied Applied Biology and Biochemistry at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. While there, he undertook a placement in a nearby medical lab that would turn into a four-year stint including two as the Head of Phlebotomy and fuel his fascination with the field.
“For my first year, the placement was part of the course but I stayed on, trying to balance full-time study with work. It was pretty intense. Night shifts were particularly tricky as I would start work at midnight and leave at 8am to head straight to my lectures.”
Thabiso began to see the challenges of relying on traditional methods of diagnosis firsthand. In particular, he was struck by people with rare diseases, that are harder to diagnose based on clinical presentation alone, struggling to get a diagnosis on time.
He learnt more about medicine’s ‘genomic revolution’ – the drive towards understanding how a person’s genes contribute to their health so that treatments can be personalised to the individual. In doing so, Thabiso’s ambition came into sharp focus.
“The interesting bit is Africa is one of the least researched and most underrepresented continents in terms of genomics research. Yet it’s also one of the most genetically diverse.
This means Africa holds huge potential to give us clues into understanding how genes work for everyone, on a global scale. I knew I wanted to be part of building a foundation. Helping strengthen research in genetics and genomics in Zimbabwe and across the continent for future generations.”
Thinking outside the box
Thabiso says that once he started researching master’s courses, Cambridge, and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, quickly found their way to the top of his list.
“First, it was the course. I needed a programme that would fill the knowledge gaps I have to help me get to where I want to be.
My course is unique in that it’s a collaboration between the Department of Medical Genetics, Cambridge University Hospitals, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and European Bioinformatics Institute. It exposes me to the leaders, labs and technology at the forefront of the field.”
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Cambridge’s focus on sustainability was also a real draw, though Thabiso admits it initially felt like an obstacle.
“When you think about climate change and sustainability, the automatic thought process is very linear. You think of things like energy and conservation.
The beauty is this programme challenges you to think outside the box – to think about these concepts in a broader context.
Genomic medicine is all-encompassing. It considers human health, infectious diseases, therapeutic treatment and even diet. So, pushing the field forwards allows better understanding of diseases prevalent in Zimbabwe and Africa, which trickles down to developing treatments more tailored for African populations. This leads to job creation, education and improvement to healthcare – all feeding into sustainability.
Similarly, knowledge and techniques utilised in genomics contribute to an improvement of healthcare facilities and better preparedness for disease epidemics and pandemics that may arise spontaneously or over time due to climate changes. This reduces the damage climate change can inflict on the health of populations.”
Thabiso sees the programme’s recognition that a wide range of expertise is needed to respond to the climate crisis as a major strength, with the class of 2024/25 studying a total of 27 different courses.
“It’s an inspiring group. We’re studying education, engineering, conservation, population health sciences, public policy... It’s approaching the sustainability challenge from every angle.”
The 2024/25 Mastercard Foundation Scholars
Transition to Cambridge life
Having spoken for hours with a cousin who had studied in the UK, Thabiso felt well-prepared for many of the practical aspects of living here that African students have to contend with.
He feels lucky to have been so thoroughly briefed on things like the damp weather and the short days as winter draws in, acknowledging that some of his peers have experienced a much greater degree of culture shock.
Instead, Thabiso sees finding a sense of belonging as the main challenge facing Mastercard Foundation Scholars during their transition to life in Cambridge.
“During our orientation, we were together. Among people who could relate to our background and experiences. Then we stepped into the academic setting where you are sometimes the only person from the African continent in the room. From talking to my friends, you tend to feel out of place to start with.
It’d be easy to try and hide parts of who you are to fit in, or to withdraw. But I think it’s important to find a place where you can authentically be yourself and have a voice while connecting with new people and making the most of the experience.
Talking and supporting each other really helps. My group of friends, we meet every other week just to make sure everyone is ok. We try and look out for each other – ‘I have this lecture with this person but they weren’t there. Why?’”
Thabiso says that the step up academically is another challenge he and others have felt keenly.
“I think some of us had this humbling moment when we thought, ‘wow, there’s a lot I don’t know’. You see this hill you have to climb and it can be daunting.”
An opportunity to give back
Aside from pursuing his master’s, Thabiso says the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge opens up all sorts of opportunities, including ‘the opportunity to give back’.
Recently voted in by his peers as a ‘Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council Representative’, he will act as a point of contact and ambassador for this year’s cohort and represent them at Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council meetings hosted by the Foundation.
“I want to push for further improvements that could benefit the following cohorts, while also keeping this year’s group a close family where one can find solace and support.”
Already supporting others with their applications for next year, he sees mentoring prospective Mastercard Foundation Scholars as his duty. He points to the Pre-Application Mentorship Project and Cambridge University African Students’ Mentorship Programme (CAMP) as crucial in addressing the perception that studying in Cambridge is ‘this unattainable thing’.
“There’s this tendency when it comes to Cambridge that you can disqualify yourself before you even apply. You ask yourself, ‘do I qualify, will I fit in?’
My biggest advice is don’t feel like you’re less because you have challenges and struggle sometimes. We all struggle at times. As long as your marks qualify, apply!”
Thabiso names exposure to people with a broad spectrum of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives as another major opportunity.
“Being here opens up your mind to think differently and to expand your own thinking. I think that’s a necessary component when it comes to being innovative in the future.
There’s an abundance of connections to make, and it’s not just about direct collaboration. You never know when someone might have an insight that can be a revelation to you, inspire you and help you get to where you want to be.”
Thabiso with fellow Mastercard Foundation Scholar Abraham Zhiri at the welcome dinner at Fitzwilliam College