Scholarship / MSc in Sustainable Energy Systems - Mastercard University of Edinburgh [2]

hello guys. I would really appreciate it if you could give me feedback on my essay for the Mastercard Foundation scholarship.

Future Goals and Study

We would like to learn more about your interest in further academic study. Why do you want to study this degree programme? What specifically about this degree programme will be useful for your future goals?

Growing up in Sudan, I witnessed how instability and weak energy infrastructure limit food production, health services and economic stability. Despite having an abundance of renewable energy resources, Sudan nevertheless relies significantly on refined petroleum to generate electricity, yet many rural areas remain underserved, and due to recent conflicts, vital infrastructure, such as pipelines, refineries and transmission lines, has been severely damaged and destroyed, causing Sudan to lose more than a third of its electricity production. Considering this, I want to pursue further studies to build the technical and problem-solving skills needed to design sustainable energy systems that are affordable and effective in areas with limited infrastructure, promoting energy solutions that can reliably support farmers, rural families and displaced communities.
The MSc in Sustainable Energy Systems at the University of Edinburgh is well-suited for my academic interests and goals as it combines engineering, social science, and policy. Solar Energy and Photovoltaic Systems is the module with the greatest potential impact on the communities I hope to serve. Sudan's solar irradiation is among the highest globally, making solar PV the most affordable and scalable technology. Mastering this module will enable me to design efficient, cost-effective PV systems and optimise off-grid PV-battery networks.
Many communities in Sudan live far from the national grid, and those connected often experience frequent outages. The future of electrification lies in resilient mini-grids and distributed generation systems. This is why the Distributed Energy Resources and Smart Grids module will be most beneficial, as it will give me the specialised knowledge needed to design and deploy decentralised/distributed generation and smart grids capable of managing modern renewable sources, the solution for connecting rural Sudanese communities.
The module I'm most excited about is Energy Policy and Politics, which explores how governance, equity, and geopolitics shape the renewable energy transition. This course will equip me with the necessary strategic and political skills to create context-aware energy policies that attract foreign direct investment and influence the national energy sector reform.
Using skills from the University of Edinburgh, I plan to provide practical, sustainable solar solutions for Sudan's most vulnerable communities. For refugee camps and rural villages, I would like to work with NGOs, UN agencies and local authorities to deploy solar systems and provide reliable electricity and clean water. For smallholder farmers, instead of relying on expensive diesel generators for irrigation, I will design affordable solar-powered irrigation and pumping systems to enhance crop productivity and food security.

Scholarship / Story Essay for Mastercard Foundation (Sustainable Energy Systems at University of Edinburgh) [2]

hello guys. I would really appreciate it if you could give me feedback on my story essay for the Mastercard Foundation scholarship.

What experiences have shaped who you are? If you were selected to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, what qualities learnt from your experience would you bring to our community?

My parents always encouraged my siblings and me to follow our passions and dream big. In high school, I was devoted to my studies, which allowed me to reach the top 5% of students in Khartoum State. This experience boosted my confidence and taught me that through hard work and determination, I can transform dreams into reality, prompting me to follow my aspiration of studying mechanical engineering at the University of Khartoum.

After watching Leonardo DiCaprio win his Oscar and dedicate his speech to address climate change, I became passionate about exploring the technologies and innovations that will curb climate change and achieve net-zero premium green. Motivated to help, I volunteered during my second semester for a tree belt project around Khartoum as part of Sudan's contribution to the African Great Wall project aimed at halting desertification and limiting the global warming effect. I started a Twitter account to promote the initiative, attracted five volunteers, and helped plant 11 trees.

By my third semester, Sudan faced economic pressures and widespread protests that led to a state of emergency and the suspension of universities. During this period, I volunteered with a University of Khartoum initiative to help provide food, first aid, and shelter to protesters. Working with senior students and teachers taught me a lot about teamwork and the kind of engineer I aspire to become, an engineer who utilises his skills to serve his community. When studies resumed, the pandemic disrupted learning, with poor internet and frequent power outages making online classes challenging. Academic progress was further delayed by the military coup in October 2021.

In my fourth semester, I became more active in academics and extracurriculars-serving as vice president and project manager for the 2022 Mech Expo, and joining ASHRAE, IMECHE, and the AEE Chapter. Through AEE, I conducted research on Sudan's electrical infrastructure, which relies heavily on refined petroleum products for electricity generation -excluding hydropower -contributing to environmental degradation through petroleum combustion, and learned about the challenges that underscore the need to expand renewable energy utilisation. I was drawn to the fact that transportation accounts for 16% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with aviation emissions projected to double by 2050, and clean jet fuel still comes with a Green Premium of over 100%. That is what inspired me to make my graduation project about curbing the carbon footprint of aeroplanes using an innovative boundary layer control method that focuses on applying a moving surface to control surfaces to inject momentum into the separation region, thus reducing the fuel combustion during flights.

When war erupted in April 2023, my family and I endured months under crossfire before fleeing to Ethiopia. Later, I returned to Sudan for my exams despite blackouts, scarcity, and danger, achieving straight A's and graduating first class. To support my family, I moved to the UAE, earned my CSWP certification, and began my professional career despite the hardships I faced during Sudan's war.

I truly believe difficult journeys strengthen us and lead to growth. Through these challenges, I developed resilience, adaptability, resourcefulness and perseverance. In the long term, I would like to work with national and international initiatives aimed at supporting the growth of clean, sustainable energy in Sudan. I have confidence that receiving the Mastercard Foundation scholarship will not only help me financially to reach this goal but also strengthen my status as a self-aware, international energy leader capable of using what I have learnt for the benefit of millions of Africans.