How a Kenyan Scholar Earned the Fully Funded Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship to Pursue a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Otago

My name is Shirley Gabriella Achieng from Kenya. I hold a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Otago, New Zealand. I am a civil servant and an Adjunct Faculty at two universities: The United States International University- Africa and the Africa International University in Nairobi. I am also the Executive Director of the Africa Network of Critical Security Scholars. My doctoral thesis, titled ‘Towards an Indigenous African Approach to Counterterrorism in Kenya,’ was awarded the 2024 Exceptional Doctoral Thesis Award by the University of Otago. I developed an interest in terrorism studies because of the Eurocentric understanding of terrorism that continues to plague the African continent. I therefore wanted to come up with a framework that fits the African context and reality.

Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Details

In 2020, I was privileged to be awarded the prestigious Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) New Zealand. This was a full scholarship valued at NZD $171,126 and covered full costs: Full tuition fees, living allowance, an establishment allowance, medical insurance, flights to and from own country at the beginning and end of studies, travel insurance, two return flights home during the scholarship, reintegration allowance and thesis and research costs.

For developing countries, this scholarship is applied through one’s nominating agency. Therefore, in my case, I applied through Kenya’s Ministry of Higher Education, which conducted interviews and then submitted a list of successful candidates to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade New Zealand, who then took over the process from there, sending a timed psychometric test and conducting a Skype interview. The entire process between application and scholarship award took eight months.

One of the requirements of the scholarship is that awardees are required to return to their home country for at least two years after the completion of their scholarship to apply their new skills and knowledge in government, civil society, or private business organizations.

Educational Background

I hold a Master’s degree in International Relations from the United States International University - Africa, where I graduated with a GPA of 3.6, and a Bachelor’s in Political Science and Public Administration from the Maasai Mara University, where I graduated with a Second Class Upper Division. As you can see, both of these degrees are connected because they cover issues of politics and international affairs, which are tied to matters of peace and conflict studies. Besides, for my Master’s degree, I wrote my thesis on territorial integrity and terrorism. It thus became natural to pursue a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies with a focus on terrorism and counterterrorism operations.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of Otago?

First, I developed a clear strategy and followed it closely. For PhD scholarships, it's essential to secure a supervisor before submitting the application. So, I began by researching all the universities in New Zealand and narrowing them down to those offering Peace and Conflict Studies. Next, I identified potential supervisors who specialize in terrorism studies. The final step was reaching out to them via email and waiting for responses.

I eventually focused on the University of Otago because it hosts the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies. At the time, the Centre's Director was a globally recognized expert in terrorism studies. I reached out to him and waited anxiously for two months before receiving a positive response.

After securing a supervisor, I sat for the TOEFL, which was a requirement for the scholarship. The minimum score for PhD applicants was 95. I prepared by watching countless YouTube videos until I felt confident enough to take the test, and I scored 100.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship?

To be honest, applying for PhD scholarships is not for the faint-hearted. It requires determination, faith, and resilience. For a full year, I had applied for several scholarships, which did not materialize. I had almost given up when one day my grandfather called me and said he had seen a scholarship advertisement in the national newspapers. The scholarship wanted only one candidate for PhD. I was quite pessimistic because I knew how competitive it would be. Nevertheless, with his encouragement, I prepared for the interview by getting two recommendation letters from my former Master’s lecturers. One of them was gracious enough to go through my proposal and advise. I also got a letter from my work supervisor. Finally, I spent a lot of time on the internet reading about New Zealand as a matter of general knowledge before the interview.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

Besides a strong proposal, I believe it’s the passion I have to come back and develop my country, Kenya, after my studies. This was articulated quite strongly in my proposal as well. Given that the purpose of the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships is for candidates to gain knowledge and skills that will assist in the development of their home country, my application must have stood out in this sense.

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

I would have more faith in myself because I experienced impostor syndrome at the time. I believe my grandfather’s faith in me was a huge factor in my determination to secure the scholarship.

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

The journey toward securing a PhD scholarship isn’t a sprint. It is a marathon. It's essential to be mentally self-attuned and ready to invest the time necessary for one’s intellectual growth. It’s about dedicating oneself to the long game, being willing to sacrifice, and embrace the hard work.

Remember, there are no shortcuts, fast lanes, or quick fixes on this path. It requires patience, perseverance, and a passion for knowledge. Embrace the process, stay dedicated, and you will find that the journey itself is just as rewarding as the destination.