Sol Plaatje University Data Science graduate, Mr Sylvester Molawa has been awarded the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities scholarship to study for a Master’s degree in Informatics Systems at Gazi University in Ankara, Turkey.
Türkiye Scholarships is a government-funded higher education scholarship program run by the Republic of Türkiye for international students. The primary purpose of Türkiye Scholarships is to provide equal opportunities to successful students worldwide for them to receive scholarship education at international standards.
“I learned about the scholarship from Professor Aifelhi Gelebe, the Head of the School for Natural Applied Sciences (NAS). The Chancellor of our University had informed him of this international scholarship opportunity and advised our honours class to apply for the opportunity. In August 2022, I received communication from Türkiye Scholarships Committee that I had been successful and had been awarded the scholarship” Molawa said.
Sylvester Molawa hails from Deerward village, a remote part of Kuruman. He was raised by his mother following the passing of his grandmother. Mr Molawa matriculated in 2016 at Gabobidiwe High School in Buxton village, Taung, while living with his relatives. Due to a lack of finances, he took a gap year in 2017. In the same year, he began researching universities, courses available and learned about Sol Plaatje University and its Data Science course. Mr Molawa studied towards his Bachelor’s degree in Data Science and continued with BSc Honours in Data Science in 2021.
During his studies at SPU, he served as Peer Mentor and in the Student Representative Council for two consecutive terms, namely, 2019/2020 as the SRC Deputy President and 2020/2021 as the Transformation and Student Development Officer. He is currently a Master of Science Student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Upon receiving the Türkiye Abroad and Related Communities scholarship Mr Molawa said, “Studying abroad will help me expand my academic horizon and develop the capacity to adapt to various educational settings. Adapting to different teaching styles will also help me adjust to different management styles, making me more versatile in the workplace. This enables help me to build invaluable relationships with people from all over the world, and I will be able to learn about new perspectives and develop cross-cultural awareness”.
“I would like to extend my gratitude to Sol Plaatje University Chancellor, Judge Steven Majiedt and NAS Head of School, Prof Gelebe together, for the support and encouragement throughout the process of this scholarship application and a special thanks to the Dean of the Division of Student Affairs, Ms Nicole Morris, together with the Executive Management, for ensuring that my journey to Turkey is a success” Molawa said.
Mr Molawa says he would like to see more SPU students and graduates applying for this scholarship. “My wish is to see more SPU students and graduates studying abroad. I might be the first and the only one currently in the Northern Cape and from SPU to be granted this scholarship, but I do not wish to be the last one”, he remarked.