Meteoric University of Calabar alumnus and recent Queen Elizabeth Young Leaders awardee, Kennedy Chiduziem Ekezie-Joseph, has earned himself another milestone as he becomes the first Nigerian to be awarded a fellowship to the prestigious Yenching Academy, China.
Ekezie, who broke the news to friends and associates, promptly wrote that, “as the first Nigerian ever accepted into the Yenching Academy”, he “hopes to use this opportunity to increase the visibility and standing of the programme in Africa. I will be pursuing a Master’s concentration in Economics and Management; an area that I am incredibly passionate about. To my family, professors and friends too numerous to mention, I don’t voice my sentiments enough but cheers to you.”
The Yenching University website, www.calitown.com can authoritatively inform, has also listed this alumnus as one of those being expected to take up the fellowship. It wrote that Ekezie “earned his degree in Philosophy, focusing on systematizing an axiological system for African Philosophy. He also completed a Diploma in Leading Change specially designed for Queen’s Young Leaders Award Winners at the University of Cambridge. Kennedy founded the Calabar Youth Council for Women’s Rights, a youth-led non-profit aiming to end gender-based violence, with a focus on female genital mutilation in Nigeria. His work has been recognized by President Obama’s YALI Initiative and has won a Resolution Fellowship. Kennedy will pursue a concentration in Economics and Management, researching the impact of China’s investment in Africa.”
With a 2.7% global acceptance rate, Yenching is one of the most competitive graduate school programmes in the world. Yenching Scholars are budding global leaders from 40+ countries and 80+ universities who will advocate for global progress and inter-cultural understanding.” Ekezie will move to Beijing in September this year and promises “to create longstanding intercultural connections with amazingly talented, budding global leaders and experience immersive curricula.”