Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Class of 2022
Jim Ovia Foundation Leaders Scholarship
My name is Brian Tafadzwa Gomora and I am from Zimbabwe. I am from Chitungwiza, just a thirty-minute drive from the capital city, Harare. In Chitungwiza I come from a small township called Zengeza.
The challenges and emotions from my childhood have greatly shaped my personality. Because I am now 18, I am grateful to be healthy and living with both parents. Living in a township where being uneducated was normal, surrounded by youths driven by the recreational drug craze, growing up was a challenge for me. The thought of my family’s background helped me overhaul my mental attitude and decide to not follow suit.
Throughout high school, I was someone who loved to study for extended hours; this experience was so profound that I could not keep it to myself, hence, I formed a community study group. Together with my friends, we took that opportunity to educate the youths about the dangers of drug abuse and inform them about career opportunities. My father and mother both live in the village. My father left the village when I was in school, leaving me behind with my elder brother, after losing his job.
I am the second in my family to attend university. My brother was the first to attend university, though he could not finish due to financial challenges.
This scholarship means everything to me because without it I would not have gone to university this year. I gained admission to the University of Zimbabwe, but there were no funds to pay the tuition. With the Jim Ovia Foundation Leaders Scholarship, I see my dreams coming true. I appreciate the opportunity the foundation has given me through this wonderful scholarship. With this opportunity, I see myself succeeding in becoming a philanthropist and the best electrical engineer for my country, who will change the lives of the people.
“I appreciate the opportunity the foundation has given me through this wonderful scholarship. With this opportunity, I see myself succeeding in becoming a philanthropist and the best electrical engineer for my country.”
I chose Ashesi University because, in as much as I wanted to attend university, I wanted a university where I would gain many other skills like writing and oral communication, entrepreneurship, and so on. I also wanted to study in an African country where there are no cases of racism or where no one will look down upon me because of my skin. In Africa, I could not think of any other university except Ashesi.
I am studying Electrical & Electronic Engineering. This is mainly influenced by my strong passion for anything electricity related. This is mainly influenced by my experiences and what I see in my community. Looking at our local gradually degrading power station, which in 2006 blew up after the cables sparked, I feel motivated to study Electrical & Electronic Engineering so that I will be the first engineer to go back and upgrade and redesign the power stations in my community to ensure the safety of everyone.
I dream of completing my undergraduate in Electrical & Electronic Engineering and then proceed to pursue my master’s so that I will be specialized enough for making a change in my community. I also wish to pursue a Ph.D. in my career.
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