Forward Bound scholarship – reflection from our scholar, Faith

Since 2015, we have been delighted, with the kind support of Fiona Deane with money left to her by a family legacy, to have offered the Forward Bound scholarship to MSc Health Promotion applicants from low or lower-middle income countries. This award is intended to support health and other professionals who are employed or who volunteer in roles where they will be able to influence and shape health promotion practice and policy on their return. Due to this generous donation, we have been able to offer tuition fees, accommodation, travel and a living subsistence each year to successful candidates. There have been six scholars so far, the fifth scholar, Faith Atyang, is coming to the end of her scholarship.

For more information about the Forward Bound scholarship, visit here – https://www.brighton.ac.uk/studying-here/fees-and-finance/postgraduate/international-students/scholarships/forward-bound-scholarships.aspx

We asked Faith to reflect on her experience so far.

PROFESSIONALLY

My academic experiences during my taught masters programme has definitely transformed my professional perspectives. Upon returning home, I am focusing on my research to be submitted for my Master’s dissertation. My qualitative research seeks to influence beneficial policies towards addressing the rising rates of diet-related non-communicable diseases. Through the interview I conducted with Nutrition professionals in Kenya, I was invited to the launch of the Global RECAP Program in Kenya that aims to strengthen the capacity of countries to promote healthy diets and increase physical activity for the prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases. I am also looking forward go back to work and continue to work towards strengthening and building resilient Health, Food and Nutrition promotion systems through innovation, continuous development, and advocacy, this time around with more refined skills and knowledge.

ORGANISATIONALLY

I am currently interviewing for different organisations and my former organisation is one of them. For my former organisation, I am currently in the interview process for a senior position than the one I had previously. I have been in close contact with my former team during my study and they have made considerable progress despite the challenges they face. I am looking forward to joining them and continue with the good work we started.

PERSONALLY

Studying abroad and the whole experience was a beneficial shift professionally, personally and academically. I appreciate the exposure and a sense of innate transformation. I must say, I feel like my sense of critical thinking has been birth. I have built beneficial connections to date and experienced effective systems. My dissertation idea was birthed from the observations of the British system of influencing healthy eating amongst its consumers. It has been less easy to go back to challenging systems. However, I see these challenges as an opportunity to better my country.

WHAT NEXT

I have built beneficial international networks, I have developed working skills and knowledge in promoting health systems especially in low resource settings. I have developed a sense of critical thinking and the urge to transform the challenges in my country to sustainable solutions. I hope to go back to work and influence beneficial systems.