There are few people who haven’t heard of Brown University—one of the oldest in the United States and among the most prestigious in the world, consistently ranked among the top global universities. Brown is renowned as one of the best institutions for undergraduate education in the U.S., with alumni that include Pulitzer Prize winners, U.S. Supreme Court Justices, U.S. Secretaries of State, members of Congress, Olympic medalists, and more. Admission to the university is among the most selective in the country, with an acceptance rate of about 5%.

In 2008, during the World Economic Forum, the Idan and Batia Ofer Family Foundation announced a $5 million donation to establish a unique scholarship fund for students from Sub-Saharan Africa, aimed at enabling talented undergraduate students from the region to study at Brown University. What makes the scholarship unique is that, in addition to covering tuition, housing, and living expenses during the course of study, it also provides monthly financial support for two years after graduation—helping recipients return to their home countries and use the knowledge and experience they gained to address critical needs across sectors in the region.

Graduates of the scholarship program go on to work at nonprofits, lead in global industry and commerce, and are sought after by international organizations.
One such graduate is Mercy Cheptoo, who earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and now works as a researcher at Global Partnership, an investment firm supporting sustainable social ventures that deliver high-impact products and services to people living in poverty.

Another graduate, Fredrik Mandela, who holds a degree in mathematics and computer science, is a data engineer at One Acre Fund—a nonprofit social enterprise supporting more than 600,000 smallholder farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa to fight hunger and poverty. Fredrik shared how the scholarship transformed his life:
“I will forever be grateful for this opportunity—something I know many wished for. My life changed from despair to hope and dreams. I can now be sure I’ll help my younger siblings and my mother, and give back to my community with the same generosity that was extended to me at Brown.”

Yeabfikir Ayele Alemayehu, an undergraduate student studying international relations and literary arts who began his studies in 2022, shared:
“I look forward to volunteering as a community coordinator. The conversations I had with coordinators during my freshman year helped me adapt and made Brown feel like home. The classes I took in my first year helped me realize what I want to focus on. International relations offers a wide range of topics and exposed me to ideas and concepts I now apply when learning independently about the political and economic situation in my country (Ethiopia).

Through various student organizations, I plan to write an article for Cornerstone Magazine, which publishes artwork, prose, and poetry that offer intelligent and creative approaches to current events, history, and religion. I’m incredibly thankful for the amazing friends I’ve made this year—friends who feel like brothers and sisters to me. I can’t wait to meet even more people in the coming years.”

When asked about the privilege of being selected by the Advancing Africa Scholarship Fund, Yeabfikir added:
“Without the scholarship, I would not have been able to attend Brown University. The costs it covers go far beyond tuition and meals. Since I only go home once a year, life as a student in the U.S. comes with many expenses. Thanks to the Foundation’s support, I was able to complete the academic year and fully engage in Brown’s vibrant communities without the stress of covering costs. It also meant less pressure on my family. This opportunity simply wouldn’t have been possible without the financial support and the people around me who are always ready to help.”

The Africa Scholarship Fund has allowed Brown University to strengthen its educational ties with African nations, offering students from developing countries the opportunity to acquire skills and tools to overcome the economic and social development challenges facing their home countries.