The University of Cape Town (UCT) proudly hosted the inaugural Health Collaborative Convening from October 15th to 17th, 2023, at the scenic Protea Hotel by Marriott, Waterfront Breakwater Lodge in Cape Town, South Africa.
People Directory
Our team is the heartbeat of our collaborative efforts, comprising diverse experts from various fields. Each member brings unique skills and perspectives, uniting to drive innovation and impact in the health sector. Together, we are more than just a team; we are a community committed to transforming healthcare across Africa.
My name is Jessica Kumah from Ghana. The Mastercard Foundation Scholarship program at the University of Toronto, aligns perfectly with my newfound passion for environmental health. Thanks to this scholarship, I am in the process of realizing my purpose, and the MPH-Environmental Health program at the University of Toronto has exceeded my expectations. The comprehensive training that I am receiving has broadened my perspective and equipped me to address environmental health challenges. I am eager to give back to Africa and the world, using my knowledge and skills to tackle global environmental health issues.
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.
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.
Receiving the scholarship has been a transformative experience for me.
What I value most about it is the access to invaluable information that has made adapting to life as an international student remarkably easy. The constant support I receive from the scholarship program is truly remarkable; it’s as if they anticipate my needs before I even realize them. Moreover, the connections I’ve been able to make through this opportunity have enriched my academic and personal journey. It’s a testament to the scholarship’s commitment to my success, and I am incredibly grateful for the doors it has opened in my life.
I am Marian Bernice Kafui Adzoa Haligah from Ghana, honored to be a Mastercard Scholar at the University of Toronto, where I am specializing in Health Informatics.
This scholarship has validated my academic dedication and fueled my passion for bridging healthcare and technology. What I’ve treasured most as a Mastercard Scholar is the global network of like-minded individuals, dedicated to making impactful changes. Every day, I’m reminded of our collective potential and am profoundly grateful for this transformative journey. With the foundation laid by the Mastercard Scholars program, I’m empowered to make lasting impacts in healthcare through informatics.
It is a wider opportunity to be a Mastercard Scholar.
The foundation has made it possible to pursue higher learning and commit to a scholarly life. The enabling environment provided by the Mastercard Foundation has equipped me to face the various challenges that come along with graduate studies. As a Master of Public Health student (Environmental Public Health emphasis) at the University of Toronto, I am a step closer to achieving my academic and career goals of preventing diseases, improving the health of populations and communities, and ensuring sustainability of the environment.
So far, my experience with the Mastercard Foundation has been phenomenal.
The staff has been incredibly helpful from day one to the present. I felt so welcomed to the city of Toronto; I was chauffeured from Pearson airport to Graduate House, where my room was already prepared with a greeting basket containing amenities for my stay. The organization has ensured that I am fully prepared for academic and social life. I am extremely appreciative for this opportunity.
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.
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.
