IDS launched is scholarship for postgraduate studies in 2014 to help support some of our most gifted applicants with course fees and the associated costs of travelling to IDS and living in the UK. In September this year two new students supported by the IDS Scholarship Fund started their studies at IDS. In their first term at IDS they both met with IDS Director, Melissa Leach, who says:

"I am really pleased to welcome Fia and Rebeca as IDS scholarship students this year.  The scholarship fund not only allows outstanding students an opportunity to study at IDS, it also provides an important contribution towards achieving the IDS vision.   Through their work in policy, programmes, activism and research IDS alumni contribute to transformative change locally and globally, generating impact in all corners of the globe. We are grateful to those who invest in tomorrow’s development leaders through donating to the scholarship fund".

It is with pleasure and pride that we introduce you to the recipients of this year's scholarships:
Rebeca Rocha joins the MA Globalisation, Business and Development programme from Brazil, where her most recent experience is of managing the Brazil chapter of the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs.  With an undergraduate degree in journalism and international experience in Egypt during the Arab Spring in 2010, Rebeca hopes that studying at IDS will deepen her knowledge of development theory and the role that entrepreneurship can play in development.  She says “I'm really enjoying the experience and am already seeing that studying at IDS has been helping me a lot to understand and reflect on the work and practice I had in the social field in Brazil”. Rebeca intends to return to Brazil to continue her work in the entrepreneurship field “I wish to focus specifically on businesses that are tackling social issues, either in education or environmental change… my professional path will always focus on exploring spaces where international institutions and governments can collaborate to positively impact the social and economic development of Brazil.”

Fiammetta Wegner joins the MA Participation Power and Social Change from Restless Development (London) where most recently she was coordinating a global youth-led research and advocacy initiative. Since completing an undergraduate degree in International Development, Fiammetta has gained experience in Tanzania and Nicaragua and in various positions at Restless Development and other smaller NGOs. Fiammetta has developed a strong interest in “participatory systems that empower citizens, especially marginalised and vulnerable groups such as young people, to take part in political and development processes and influence decisions that directly affect their lives”. Fiammetta says she selected the MAP course because she hopes it will support her "to improve theoretical understanding, reflect on my experience so far and acquire practical research and analytical skills that I can immediately put to use whether I wish to continue working with NGOs, or undertake research with a PhD”. 

On behalf of Fia and Rebeca (and other IDS Scholarship students from previous years) we would like to say thank you. Our deepest gratitude goes to everyone who has donated, shared and supported IDS in giving back to help someone with great potential to help realise their dreams and help build a better world. Our ability to educate and collaborate with those who can make a difference in some of the most challenging corners of the globe grows every day. Together we are supporting the development leaders of tomorrow. 

To find out more about supporting the IDS Scholarship Fund please see our Support Us pages or contact the IDS Alumni Office.