EXCLUSIVE: What I did different to win UK Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Award, Kaosarat Olawunmi, First Class Graduate of Fountain University speaks
A First Class graduate of Fountain University, Oshogbo, Osun State, Ibikunle Kaosarat Olawunmi has won the United Kingdom’s Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Award.
The scholarship award will avail her the rare opportunity of studying at the University of London, United Kingdom UK).
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Award is a yearly award sponsored by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom, for candidates from least developed and lower middle income Commonwealth countries to study a full-time Master’s degree on selected courses, jointly supported by UK universities.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Newsclickng.com, the young scholar said she believed in her ability to win the award because she prepared well months before the application opened and sought the needed information online.
Elatedly, her alma mater, Fountain University, took to their official instagram page to congratulate her on the academic feat and for making the institution proud.
“Hello there!
“Meet Kaosarat Olawunmi, an alumnus of Fountain University and one of the latest Commonwealth Scholars!
“We are not only proud that this amazing and brilliant product of ours is doing excellently well, but we are also glad that she acknowledged the contributions of some of the lecturers that trained her while she was with us. You can verify this claim on the post she made on LinkedIn to announce this good news.
“For us at Fountain University, here is another living proof that our lecturers are very ready to walk the path with our students up until they get to the zenith of their academic careers.
“Kaosarat, like other numerous alumni of the institution, we are proud of you and your achievements, please keep the fire burning.
“You can also be like Kaosarat by starting your journey with us. You’d be glad you did.
“For Enquiries, please visit our website at www.fuo.edu.ng or send a mail to [email protected] or you can call any of these numbers 08031145929 (Undergraduate), 08037063960 (Postgraduate), 08107755923 (Centre for Sub-Degree/Professional Programmes),” the statement on the institution’s instagram page reads.
Ibikunle hopes to either proceed with her Ph.D or take a lecturing job after the successful completion of her M.Sc. in London.
Read her full interview with Newsclickng.com below:
1. Can we meet you?
I am Ibikunle Kaosarat Olawunmi, a First Class Graduate of Economics from Fountain University Osogbo. I am currently studying MSc Development Economics at SOAS, University of London under the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship.
2. How did you achieve this enviable feat of winning the UK’s Commonwealth scholarship amongst several other candidates that applied?
A lot of Nigerians has gotten this scholarship in the past so it was easy to approach some previous Scholars for information. I got to know about the scholarship when my Friend Ah’mad, introduced me to his friend, Peter (PhD in view) who got the Scholarship in 2019 and he also shared his contact with me. I spoke to Peter and I majorly asked questions. I went to LinkedIn and Twitter to search for Previous scholars and to have an idea of what it entails. I got a lot of information on Linkedln and Google and that was what I applied in writing my essays. Commonwealth scholarship is majorly about writing Essay, not one though eleven of them.
3. From scratch of the application process, did you have the confidence you were going to win?
Yes, I was confident and all praises are due to my Lord who crowned by efforts. I did my research and I started writing my essays months before the application was opened. I had time to go over it and amend it.
4. How has your study at Fountain University impacted your win?
Having a First Class is a ground not this achievement, coupled with the fact that my Level Adviser, Dr Ayinde was always ready to help and he sometimes send opportunities to me on WhatsApp, in this journey he is a very strong support system.
5. What next after completion of your study at University of London?
I really don’t know. Probably PhD or taking up a Lecturing job.
6. Any advice for young graduates putting in for similar scholarship opportunities? Good grades first, Volunteer for NGOs and Make good use of all Social media platforms. The information you need is available. Explore and Explore.
