How Ehsan Khalid Nasr Elameen, a Sudanese Scholar, Secured a Fully Funded Master’s Through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

My name is Ehsan Khalid Nasr Elameen. I am from Khartoum, Sudan, and I currently live in the Sultanate of Oman, where I work as a physics and mathematics educator.

I have always been passionate about space and astronomy. At the time, however, there was no university faculty in Sudan dedicated to space sciences, so I chose the Faculty of Science and studied Physics and Mathematics at Shendi University, the closest path to my passion. I felt it would open doors for me to understand the universe more deeply in the future.

That belief led me to pursue a Master's degree in Mathematical Sciences at the University of Cape Town (2016–2017) through the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), supported by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. My research focused on cosmological evolution in a universe dominated by Chaplygin gas.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Details

After finishing my Bachelor's degree, I began a preparatory Master's program at the University of Khartoum's Faculty of Education, but I was not able to continue it. I then applied to AIMS South Africa, in Muizenberg, Cape Town, and studied there from 2016 to 2017.

AIMS offers scholarships funded by several donors. I received one funded by the Mastercard Foundation, whose selection criteria also look for leadership qualities and initiative. The scholarship covered nearly everything except the visa: round-trip travel, tuition, accommodation, food, internet, health insurance, and a monthly stipend.

Educational Background

I graduated from Shendi University in 2010 with a Bachelor's degree in Physics and Mathematics and a GPA of 3.17 out of 4.0. I thoroughly enjoyed my physics and mathematics courses, even the demanding ones. I studied both general and highly specialized courses, which gave me a solid foundation in the two disciplines together. Several mathematics courses proved especially valuable later, including Differential Equations, Functional Analysis, Measure Theory, and Statistical Analysis.

At AIMS, the intensive programming courses in Python, Sage, and R were the real addition that completed my foundation. In my research, I used Python to study the equations of the Chaplygin gas model and compare them with the standard model of cosmology (ΛCDM). A Numerical Analysis course supported this work, and General Relativity was the decisive course for my research.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of Cape Town?

My first step was finding people to write my recommendation letters. I contacted a few of my professors, and two of them supported me strongly with their letters. After completing the application, I waited from March to May 2016 until I received my acceptance.

How Did You Find Information About Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and University of Cape Town?

While I was in my preparatory Master's program, everyone around me was talking about the AIMS scholarship. A friend who had studied with me and joined AIMS a year earlier encouraged me to apply. I read the requirements on the AIMS website and watched videos on its YouTube channel to learn about the institute and life there. I was drawn to its teaching approach and to the lecturers it brings from all over the world, and I dreamed of becoming one of its students one day.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

I did not need to submit an English proficiency certificate such as IELTS or TOEFL. After my acceptance, AIMS sent us a short English language test, and when we arrived, they offered English classes to help us develop further.

How is Your Experience at the University of Cape Town?

AIMS was, without a doubt, the most beautiful period of my educational life. The program was very intensive, but the place was perfectly designed for it. We studied and lived in the same building, so no time was lost commuting. There were many workshops, courses, and scientific lectures, and leading scientists from around the world visited us. One day we would have a professor from Cambridge, the next from Oxford, followed by renowned universities in France, Germany, the United States, and Australia, as well as researchers from South African universities such as the University of Cape Town and the University of Pretoria.

What I loved most was the community. We shared the same building throughout each course, ate our meals together, and chatted with the professors, getting to know them closely. There were no titles at AIMS. We called everyone by their first names, as if to tell us that we were all scientists working together.

AIMS was an unforgettable experience. It shaped and refined me, boosted my confidence, and opened doors to places I never expected to reach. There were days when we barely slept, but we kept going and never gave up until we reached the end of the journey, with love.

How Do You Rate the University of Cape Town Academically?

I rate AIMS very highly. The program is rigorous and intensive, and its teaching approach is distinctive.

How Does the University of Cape Town Support International Students?

The support began before we arrived. After my acceptance, AIMS was very clear and well organized: it gave us every document we needed, explained each step to make the visa process easier, and shared the contact details of the other accepted Sudanese students. We met, completed our procedures together, and traveled to South Africa on the same flight. At AIMS, students from across the continent lived and studied together as one community, which made it easy to build friendships and feel at home.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or the Country's Native Language?

Yes. All classes were in English, and we spoke English with each other even during meals. Students came from all over Africa, and I still have friends from Burundi, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Madagascar.

What Did You Pursue After the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?

After AIMS, I continued taking courses to develop myself, especially in programming. I then paused my research for a period to focus on my family. Today, I work in physics education, and I serve as an ambassador for AIMS and the Mastercard Foundation, helping others learn about the AIMS scholarship and apply for it.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Not Knowing the Native Language?

Since classes and daily life at AIMS were in English, language was not a barrier for me.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe it was my passion for science, together with my active role in the community. Since high school and throughout my university years, I took part in several community awareness programs and initiatives.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

If I could do it again, I would focus more on my specialization when choosing my courses, and I would engage even more with the researchers, visiting scientists, and lecturers at AIMS.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

The opportunity may come only once, so don't hesitate. Apply for the scholarship that matches your abilities and aspirations, and always be ambitious. Start early by finding professors who know your work well and can support you with strong recommendation letters. Learn about the institute beforehand through its website and social media channels, so you can apply with a clear understanding of what to expect.