Mastercard Foundation Scholar Kutlo Kejang from Botswana Shares Their Journey of Securing a Fully Funded Master's at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Rwanda

Hi, my name is Kutlo Kejang, and I am from Botswana. I was raised by a very strong and independent woman who sacrificed many comforts in life to invest in my education. My mother believes in education deeply, her conviction being that it is the one thing no one can ever take from you. For my primary school years, I attended a private school, not because it was financially easy, but because she wanted to give me a solid foundation. I then continued to secondary school and later university, where I earned a Mastercard Foundation from Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) in 2023.

In 2025, I applied to the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) in Rwanda for a Master's programme in Mathematical Epidemiology. I was accepted into the programme, which, by virtue of its structure, comes with a fully funded scholarship from the Mastercard Foundation, and that is what I am currently studying.

My decision to pursue Mathematical Epidemiology is deeply personal. I had a cousin who had cerebral palsy, may her soul rest in peace, and her condition made me intensely curious. Growing up, I was always an inquisitive child, asking why people behave the way they do and whether our actions are shaped purely by what we learn or whether there are neurological underpinnings. My cousin's journey inspired me to pursue a field where I could ask better questions and find more meaningful answers, not only about non-communicable diseases but infectious ones as well.

Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Details

The scholarship I received is from the Mastercard Foundation. For the Mathematical Epidemiology stream at AIMS, the scholarship comes automatically with the programme. For the Mathematical Sciences stream, however, students go through a separate interview process for selection. The scholarship covers tuition fees, return flight tickets at the beginning and end of the programme, accommodation, meals, and health insurance.

Educational Background

hold a Bachelor's degree in Statistics from Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), obtained in 2023. During my undergraduate studies, I had a lecturer I looked up to greatly and still do to this day. She made me fall in love with the application of Statistics to the health sector, and my interest in epidemiology grew from there. She taught me courses in statistical methods and computing, and data analysis, which are central to epidemiological work, since the field requires you to analyse data and communicate findings to policymakers, health institutions, and governments. I still draw on what I learned from her.

How Did You Find Information About the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship and the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Rwanda?

I searched online for scholarships and institutions, but it was also my former BIUST lecturer who pointed me directly to the programme. She sent me a LinkedIn link to the Master's programme in Mathematical Epidemiology at AIMS Rwanda and that is how I came to apply.

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

No, I did not have to take any standardized tests for this programme.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship?

asked my former lecturers to review my CV and essay responses for the Master's programme application. I also reached out to former AIMS applicants to learn about the types of questions asked during the interview and then studied accordingly. I took about a month to research AIMS Rwanda before applying, learning about the institution, the people behind it, and what they value. When you understand who you are applying to, it becomes easier to put together an application that is genuine and tailored rather than generic.

How is Your Experience at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Rwanda?

The experience has been remarkable. I am growing completely out of my comfort zone, living in a different country while studying an intensive programme that pushes you to work hard, and hard work does pay off. I have strengthened my presentation skills and my ability to work in teams, and this growth extends beyond academics. Even the way I network and collaborate with others has improved significantly.

How Do You Rate the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Rwanda, Academically?

Rate AIMS highly. Lecturers come from all over the world to teach different modules, and the knowledge we receive is both rigorous and directly applicable in practice. Although the pace is demanding, with each module taught in just three weeks before moving to the next, the academic quality is great in my view.

NB: There are five AIMS institutions across the continent: in South Africa, Rwanda, Cameroon, Ghana, and Senegal.

How Does the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Rwanda, Support International Students?

Most students at AIMS Rwanda are international students, so inclusion is built into the experience. The institute brings in lecturers from around the world and makes efforts to be inclusive in areas such as food as well. It also covers students' flight tickets to and from the institution at the start and end of the programme.

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

Classes at AIMS Rwanda are conducted in English to ensure inclusion for all students.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I was vulnerable in my application while maintaining a professional tone. I wrote from a place of personal experience and let my passion come through clearly, not as a means to an end but as a genuine commitment to gaining skills that will allow me to make a meaningful impact in my field. I also took time to understand the institution and how my goals aligned with its mission, which helped me present a more focused and genuine application.

Looking Back, Would You Have Done Anything Differently During Your Time in the Program?

I would not change much. The process taught me the importance of preparation, seeking feedback, and being authentic in my application. Looking back, I am grateful for the approach I took and the lessons I learned along the way.

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

The first question to ask yourself is: what am I applying for aligned with my purpose? I tend to apply to one institution at a time and pour myself fully into that application, and it has worked for me. This is not a boast but a moment of reflection. A generic application rarely stands out. Find your own balance between authenticity and professionalism and let that shape how you present yourself.

Also, give yourself enough time and ask someone you trust, a professor, mentor, or peer, to read your application. Ask them: if you received this, what would your response be and why? Then use that feedback to improve.

Finally, when something is truly aligned with your purpose, there is a quiet, settled peace that comes with it, one that is hard to explain. I did not initially want to apply to AIMS, but I felt at peace about it, even when I did not fully understand why. Now I do. AIMS has shaped me enormously in a short period of time.