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Photo of Kennedy Owino Ojowi

Master Scholar

Moi University, University of Toronto

Photo of Kuol Maper Alier

Master Scholar

Moi University, University of Toronto

Mastercard Foundation Doctoral Scholar

University of Toronto, Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Photo of Wisdom Mawuenyefia Amenyo

Master Scholar

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University of Toronto

Photo of Asmaa Habini Balagha

Master Scholar

University of Toronto, Amref International University

Photo of Bethlehem Addisu Demissie

Master Scholar

Addis Ababa University, University of Toronto

Photo of Titilola Abolade

, MPH

Mastercard Foundation Doctoral Scholar

University of Toronto, Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Photo of Ronald Carshon-Marsh

, MD., MIPH, DrPH (c)

Mastercard Foundation Doctoral Scholar

University of Toronto, Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Photo of Celestine Nema

Program Coordinator, Entrepreneurship & Work Integrated Learning - Management Department; Projects Lead - African Impact Initiative

African Impact Challenge, University of Toronto Scarborough, The BRIDGE

Photo of William (Bill) McConkey

, PhD

Academic Director, New Venture Program, and Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship

University of Toronto Scarborough, African Impact Challenge, The BRIDGE

Profile

Kennedy Owino Ojowi

Master Scholar

Moi University

I am grateful for the opportunity to study health informatics as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at the University of Toronto.

This life-changing experience has challenged me to reach my full potential and has given me the opportunity to meet some of the most inspiring, intelligent, and supportive people in the world. I am confident that the experiences and relationships that I am building as a Mastercard Scholar will help me make a positive impact on the health system.

Profile Type
Scholar
Countries
Kenya
Canada
Programs
Master of Health informatics Executive (EMHI)
Mastercard Foundation Masters Scholar program
Profile

Kuol Maper Alier

Master Scholar

Moi University

My name is Kuol Maper Alier from South Sudan. I am deeply honored to be a scholar of the Mastercard Scholarship program at the esteemed University of Toronto, currently pursuing Executive Master of Health Informatics program. I express my heartfelt gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship for this invaluable opportunity, enriching my education and connecting me with a community dedicated to global positive change. 

I am energized by the prospect of spearheading the development and implementation of a digital health system in South Sudan. This endeavor holds the potential to alleviate the burden of chronic diseases, elevating overall healthcare access and quality. My aspiration is to leverage my education and experiences, collaborating with healthcare stakeholders and technology experts to create a sustainable solution to advancing digital health systems in South Sudan.

Profile Type
Scholar
Countries
Kenya
Canada
Programs
Master of Health informatics Executive (EMHI)
Mastercard Foundation Masters Scholar program
Profile

Gladys Olisaekee

Mastercard Foundation Doctoral Scholar

University of Toronto

Email Address
gladys.olisaekee@mail.utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Scholar
Country
Canada
Profile

Wisdom Mawuenyefia Amenyo

Master Scholar

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

In my vision for Africa’s youth, positivity reigns, and ground-breaking ideas are the norm.

I see a future where avenues for talent, knowledge, and skills flourish, particularly in health, education, and energy. As a Mastercard Foundation Scholar, I’m on the path to becoming a frontline changemaker, contributing to these transformative avenues. The satisfaction lies in collaborating with interdisciplinary, impact-driven individuals united by the goal of uplifting Africa. The Scholar experience goes beyond academics, instilling professionalism, social responsibility, and robust networking. Embarking on my MEng in Biomedical Engineering, specializing in Regenerative Medicine, Cardiovascular Mechanics, and Clinical Engineering Instrumentation, feels like turning dreams into reality. The support and coaching from colleagues, faculty, and administration create a nurturing environment that ensures dreams become tangible achievements.

Profile Type
Scholar
Countries
Canada
Ghana
Programs
Master of Engineering (MEng)
Mastercard Foundation Masters Scholar program
Biomedical Engineering
Profile

Asmaa Habini Balagha

Master Scholar

University of Toronto

As a Mastercard scholar at the University of Toronto, I value the opportunities given to me and the exposure that the institution is giving me, in order to grow in the profession of health administration, improve my expertise and develop networks that will help me in my professional career hence making me be a better health administrator in the health care industry.

Profile Type
Scholar
Countries
Kenya
Canada
Programs
Master of Health Administration (MHSc)
Mastercard Foundation Masters Scholar program
Profile

Bethlehem Addisu Demissie

Master Scholar

Addis Ababa University

As a Mastercard Scholar, I get to develop new connections every day.

Being a scholar enables me to meet various people from around the world and to share and learn from their experiences. Since tuition and living expenses are fully covered, I can focus my attention on learning and exploring new things. I am so grateful and excited to be a Mastercard Scholar and I am looking forward to adventures ahead.

Profile Type
Scholar
Countries
Canada
Ethiopia
Programs
Master of Health Administration (MHSc)
Mastercard Foundation Masters Scholar program
Profile

Titilola Abolade, MPH

Mastercard Foundation Doctoral Scholar

University of Toronto

With a career spanning over 15 years, Titilola has professional work experience in public health program development, management, and leadership at both national and international organizations in Nigeria.

This involved working with government agencies and parastatals, UN Agencies, NGOs, Community-based organizations (CBOs), Faith-based Organizations (FBOs), private sector and donor organizations across Nigeria through partnership, collaboration, capacity strengthening, resource mobilization, technical assistance, research and other health systems strengthening initiatives.

Titilola is in the 2nd year of the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) Program. Prior to this, she worked as Program Director overseeing Nutrition International’s programs and operations in Nigeria and ensuring they are aligned with the Government of Nigeria’s strategic priorities. In 2018, Titilola received Nutrition International’s “President’s Award of Excellence” for leadership. She has also previously worked with the Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH) in Ibadan and Abuja, Nigeria and Sightsavers Nigeria Country office, Kaduna.

Titilola is grateful for the Mastercard Foundation scholarship and believes the DrPH program will further strengthen her knowledge, capacity and network in advanced public health research, policy and leadership. This is with a view to contributing to developing, scaling and leading effective and innovative solutions to public health challenges in Nigeria and Africa. She believes health and nutrition play a critical role in development. Her research interests include maternal, newborn, child, adolescent health and nutrition.

Email Address
titilola.abolade@mail.utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Scholar
Country
Canada
Programs
Dalla Lana School of Public Health
Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
Profile

Ronald Carshon-Marsh, MD., MIPH, DrPH (c)

Mastercard Foundation Doctoral Scholar

University of Toronto

Ronald completed his first degree in Medicine in 2008 from the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS), Sierra Leone and his Master of International Public Health from the University of Queensland, Australia. He holds a postgraduate certificate on Health Systems Planning from the Tokai University, Yokohama, Japan. Ronald worked as a medical officer in many hospitals and served as Case Management pillar lead during the Ebola epidemic (2014 – 2016) in Kono, Sierra Leone. He was awarded ‘Young Alumni Excellence Award 2016’ by the Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Australia. Due to his administrative and clinical experience, he worked as the District Medical Officer in two districts and served as the overall technical lead for the COVID-19 response in Bo district 2020 – 2021. He has also served as the programme manager, National Malaria Control Programme. Ronald has published articles on Mortality Surveillance and Antimicrobial Resistance.

Email Address
ronald.carshonmarsh@mail.utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Scholar
Country
Canada
Programs
Dalla Lana School of Public Health
Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
Profile

Celestine Nema

Program Coordinator, Entrepreneurship & Work Integrated Learning - Management Department; Projects Lead - African Impact Initiative

African Impact Challenge

Celestine Nema is a Program Coordinator for Entrepreneurship and Work-Integrated Learning at The BRIDGE, an entrepreneurship accelerator in the Management Department at the University of Toronto, Scarborough.

She also acts as the Projects Lead for the African Impact Initiative, a University of Toronto partner that runs the African Impact Challenge, a startup incubator program that  supports young African entrepreneurs to create viable solutions for the most pressing challenges within their communities. Celestine’s career spanned public service for almost a decade before pivoting her career to focus on her passion for entrepreneurship, youth education, and youth development.

Email Address
celestine.nema@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Program
African Impact Challenge
Profile

William (Bill) McConkey, PhD

Academic Director, New Venture Program, and Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship

University of Toronto Scarborough

UTSC grad Professor Bill McConkey spent two decades in the early-stage venture world before returning to the University of Toronto, Scarborough to join the Department of Management, teaching courses in Operations, Product Management and Entrepreneurship.

Bill has supported countless students as they launched new ventures, whether in the classroom, through co-curricular initiatives or co-op terms. Bill is involved in several student organizations, including MCC The Management Consulting Club, LIVE Competition and the department’s new Sales club. Bill is Academic Director of the campus’s New Venture Program, and sits on the Board of Advisors and Board of Directors of a number of Canadian companies.

He and his wife Monica and their five children – and new puppy – live in Stouffville, Ontario.

Email Address
bill.mcconkey@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Faculty
Country
Canada
Program
African Impact Challenge