Winning the Vanier Scholarship: A Nigerian PhD Student's Journey at the University of Toronto

My name is Otuto Amarauche Chukwu, I am Igbo from Amuda Isuochi in Nigeria. I am a licensed pharmacist with over a decade’s experience in health systems strengthening and policy research. I am currently undertaking my doctoral studies in Health Policy at the University of Toronto under the supervision of Professor Beverley Essue. Many people wonder why a pharmacist would be pursuing a PhD in Health Policy. Well, I decided to do this because I believe that a strong foundation at the policy level is crucial for supporting the strengthening of health systems. I got tired of being at the service delivery point as a health professional/street bureaucrat where I am mostly handicapped with limited capacity to contribute to any wide systemic reform. So, I made the decision to pivot into policy because I believe I can do more as a policymaker/analyst who is also a health professional, than just being a health professional at the service delivery point with little or no influence on the wide systemic reforms that our health systems need.

Scholarship Details

I have won several scholarships and awards (about 18) since the start of my PhD studies in Health Policy at the University of Toronto, totaling over 350,000 dollars. Most notable of these awards are the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship by the Government of Canada and the International Doctoral Research Award by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and Universities Canada. Some other scholarships and awards include the Massey/Rotary Bay-Bloor Scholarship, the Dignitas International Global Health Policy and Research Awards for Student Excellence and Impact, the Ranjit Kumar Graduate Fellowship, the Edith M. McCuaig-Throop Award, the Michael Decter Award for Health Leadership and Policy Studies in Canada, Dalla Lana Merit-Based Scholarship, and the IHPME Opportunity Scholarship. I also received full funding from other schools I applied to for my doctoral studies, which I could not accept: fully-funded scholarships from Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand and Boise State University in the USA.

Educational Background

I have a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the University of Nigeria Nsukka and a first-class master’s degree in clinical pharmacy and management. I also have an executive diploma in Exponential Technologies from Singularity University, Silicon Valley, California.

My bachelor’s degree gave me a strong foundation in understanding health systems, public health, and the science of medicine. My master’s degree further developed my analytical and management skills, which I keep building to be able to contribute to assessing and improving health systems and services. Alongside my academic background, my experience working in the Nigerian parliament and supporting policy-based research organizations allowed me to apply this knowledge practically as well as reinforcing the need for me to study health policy at the PhD level. These experiences have equipped me with the skills and perspective needed to excel in health policy research at the PhD level.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the University of Toronto and Other Institutions?

I prepared by, firstly, researching schools offering a Ph.D. in Health Policy and checking out their curriculum to see if it was the right fit for me and the exposure and knowledge I wanted to gain. I then looked at the various faculties and their focus areas and made a note of a few of them whose work resonated with me and my interests. I crafted a personalized email to those I identified, and shockingly, I received responses from them all. I scheduled interviews with a few of them after which it was clear that my current supervisor was the best fit. I then looked at the application criteria and eligibility requirements and made sure to gather all the materials needed; I had them handy before applying. It is crucial to ensure that one has all documents ready and meets all requirements, which is crucial for putting in a solid application.

I did not sit for any standardized tests because they were not required for the programs I applied to. I am also a native English speaker, and all my education was in English, so I did not have to take an English language exam. However, I have heard from others who had to take these exams that starting your preparation early is key to success. Make sure to start reading and preparing for these exams months, or even a year ahead so you have ample time to get a hang of it and be fully prepared. Preparing for these exams hastily erodes confidence and could be a limiting factor to your success.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship and Other Awards?

I prepared for the scholarship applications the same way I prepared for my PhD application. I researched the opportunities I was eligible and qualified for, took note of the requirements, and made sure I had all the materials handy way ahead of time. In applying for scholarships, it is crucial to stick to all the requirements and follow them to the letter. Ensure that all the boxes have been ticked prior to submission. For those scholarship applications that require a statement, make sure to “sell yourself” very well. Highlight your major achievements that make you a standout candidate. Every piece of information is crucial and could be what sets you apart from the pool of applicants. Your writing style also matters. Thus, write your statements in a formal tone, using a plain and accessible style, ensuring to avoid jargon in your field. This is crucial because the person assessing your application may not be from your field. Start off the statement with a summary of what is in the document. That way, you prep the reader on what to expect while reading through your document. Ensure to proofread/copyedit your statement so that it is error-free. This gives the reader the impression that you have put in the effort. Also ensure that what you write, the stories you tell about yourself, and your achievements are coherent and linked together as much as possible and are directed towards your program and the scholarship.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I think my application stood out because I did not only focus on academic achievements and prospects, but I also brought in my professional, leadership, and community-focused achievements. I then linked these to my academic pursuits, showcasing how they make me a standout candidate and how they have prepared me for success in my program. For instance, I co-founded a medicines logistics company that helped many families access essential medicines and supplies during the lockdowns following the COVID-19 pandemic. I also co-founded a non-profit, El Echad Foundation, through which I contribute to empowering local communities through advocacy and interventions for inclusion, and improved access to education and economic opportunities to fight hunger, poverty, and societal ills. I have also participated in various leadership programs and hold a few leadership fellowships—being a Mandela Washington Fellow, a Junior Fellow at Massey College, and an Associate Fellow of the Royal Commonwealth Society. I also have a few awards to back up these experiences and endeavors. I also have a great relationship with my PhD supervisor such that even before I started my program, we already published a paper. So far in my program, we have published four research articles with many others in peer-review. We have also co-authored a book chapter and have won a few grants together. Thus, I make sure that these things shine through in my applications and angle them towards how they are critical success factors for me.

Lastly, I want to briefly highlight something I have found out from my conversation with some people. Many a time, they do not showcase some of their achievements and awards they currently hold because they feel it might jeopardize their chances. They feel that assessors might think that they have other awards so should not be given more. From my experience, this is not true. In fact, the more awards you have, the more you are likely to get. This is because your previous awards and funding attest to your credibility and most funding bodies want to associate with already-established excellence. Unless the criteria for an award clearly state that holding previous awards precludes you from applying, please apply and showcase yourself.

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

I do not think that I will do much differently. However, what I would incorporate is to find mentors or at least people who will help review my applications, especially previous recipients/scholars of the awards/programs I am applying to. While applying for all the awards I have, I did not receive much guidance as I did not know who to reach out to apart from my supervisor. It did not even occur to me at the time because I was not privy to such information and opportunities.

However, I must highlight that my program has this Vanier scholarship application mentorship program where faculty and previous awardees help applicants review their application materials. I believe this was helpful for me because if not for that program, I would not have known who to reach out to for support in reviewing my application.

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

Be brave, be bold, and go for it. Do not think less of yourself. Be confident and prepared. Follow the application guidelines to the letter. Build yourself by engaging in activities and causes within and beyond academia that will make you stand out. Do your part, and then pray and hope for the best!