Scholarship / Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at the University of Edinburgh [5]

Hello, How are you doing? I am applying for Mastercard Foundation Scholarship at the University of Edinburgh to study MSc Environmental Sustainability. I want you to help me review my essay. Thank you.

Question: Future Goals and Study

We would like to learn more about your interest in further academic study. Please explain how the degree programme you have chosen to study here relates to your future goals. What specifically about this degree programme will be useful for you?

My Answer : Discovering the significant challenges of environmental pollution and improper waste
management to the sustainability of our environment, were an estimation of 32 Million Tons of
solid waste is produced per year, but only 20 to 30 percent is being collected and managed
correctly, I initiated a monthly clean-up drive as the Director of Social Activities for the National
Union of Jega Local Government Students (NUJELS) where students from various secondary
schools come together every last weekend of the month to clean up areas affected by pollution. I
seek approval from the local government education authorities to include the exercise in the
schools extracurricular activities; thereby combating climate change by achieving cleaner
environment in the community. Through this initiative, the community members witnessed
reduction in the spread of cholera, diarrhea and other diseases caused by environmental pollution,
leading to significantly improved health outcomes.

My career goal is to return to my country where I will continue working with Arewa Genius Hub
for a short-term career. I will collaborate with community stakeholders and organizations like the
Nigerian Youth SDGs Network to collaborate on expanding my sustainable community project.
This include adding more households to my recycling project and additional economic components
through the waste management value chain to ensure sustenance of the project.

In the long term, I will explore positions with the Multi-Lateral Organizations like the United
Nations Environment Program (UNEP) under the United Nation (UN) or World Bank since they
have a global sustainability agenda that aligns with my vision. I will enhance my professional
network through events to facilitate access to internship and employment opportunities in these
organizations. I will play role of leading ways to interface with external stakeholders in order to
bridge cultural differences that may hinder implementation of environmental policies.

The MSc. Environmental Sustainability at the University of Edinburgh offers a better
understanding of sustainability and how it can be achieved in different geographical context. A
better understanding on how to assess the sustainability of policies, programs and projects at scales
ranging from the local to the global. Modules such as Environmental Impact Assessment, Water
Resources Management, and Centring Racial Justice in Sustainability Transformation,
Environmental governance and policy will help me understand how to perform efficiently in my
long term career aspiration.

I am particularly interested in the work of experts in the field such as Dr. Teresa Armijos Burneo
by engaging on her research focus on environmental justice and disaster risk management I will
deepen my understanding of critical areas for promoting environmental resilience within my community.