Gates Cambridge Scholar, Usama from Pakistan, Pursues a PhD in Education at the University of Cambridge Focused on Decolonising Science Education

I studied Physics and Philosophy at LUMS (Pakistan), and then Education as a Fulbright Scholar at Teachers College, Columbia University. I am also a New York State-trained Emergency Medical Technician. In the last decade, I have worked as an educator and education policy consultant. In 2017, I founded Saving 9, a social enterprise dedicated to transforming mindsets in order to save lives; pioneering initiatives such as launching Pakistan's first women-run ambulance, the world's 2nd mental health ambulance, and creating a novel Socio-Emotional Inclusion Index that measures how well regions are catering to the mental wellness of youth. Through my work, I came to realise that countless social problems are aggravated by a lack of conversations around science and religion.

I also realised that many of these challenges are a consequence of the ongoing impact of centuries of colonialism in the Global South. This is why my PhD research at the University of Cambridge focuses on decolonising science education from within an Islamic framework. I am doing this by contributing both to educational philosophy for Muslim educators and by conducting participatory action research with Muslim schools to reimagine science education at the secondary school level. This research will provide rich learning on public policies for social issues and help identify roadblocks that hinder citizens of postcolonial Muslim countries from making substantial contributions to the natural sciences.

I have also recently cofounded and currently lead the Palestine Educational Opportunity Initiative (Pal Ed), which brings together students and alumni of top universities globally to support Palestinian students suffering from the genocide with their applications to scholarships and universities.

Previous Education

Columbia University Teachers College Education 2017
Lahore University of Management Sciences Physics 2013

Links: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/usama-javed-mirza-b9845178

Gates Cambridge Scholarship Details

University of Cambridge, Gates Cambridge Scholarship, full tuition coverage and living stipend:

A Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge. It also provides additional, discretionary funding.

Core components

• the University Composition Fee at the appropriate rate*
• a maintenance allowance for a single student (£21,000 for 12 months at the 2024-25 rate; pro rata for courses shorter than 12 months) – for PhD scholars, the award is for up to 4 years
• one economy single airfare at both the beginning and end of the course
• Inbound visa costs & the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge

* The University Composition Fee varies for different types of students; applicants should see the Graduate Studies prospectus for full details about precise amounts. Where a student has been successful in gaining a fee award from public authorities (such as the UKRI) they should accept this award, and the Trust will not pay their fee or may share their fee and maintenance costs.

Discretionary components

The Trust also considers applications for several types of additional funding on a discretionary basis:

• Academic development funding – from up to £500 to up to £2,000, dependent on the length of your course, to attend conferences and courses.
• Dependent Children Allowance – up to £11,604 for one child and up to £16,548 for two or more children (2024-25 rate). No funding is provided for a partner.
• Fieldwork – you may apply to keep up to your normal maintenance allowance while on fieldwork as part of your PhD (the Trust does not fund other fieldwork costs, as these should be funded by the University Composition Fee).
• Maternity/Paternity funding – should you require it, you may apply to interrupt your studies for up to 6 months and continue to receive your maintenance allowance during this time
• Hardship funding – for unforeseen difficulties facing the scholar

Were You Offered any Other Scholarships?

The Cambridge Trust Scholarship, which is also from the University of Cambridge and provides full coverage for tuition fees as well as living costs.

Educational Background

I had a GPA of 3.4/4 in my undergrad. My Master's at Columbia did not have a GPA that was calculated, but if the grades are converted to GPA, then it would be 4.0/4. I have an interdisciplinary background, and that is what helped build a competitive profile for an interdisciplinary PhD. I have studied physics, philosophy, prehospital care, education theory and practice, and have had a decade of experience in teaching, school leadership, education policy making, and entrepreneurship. This combination of academic training and professional experience helped with my application.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Gates Cambridge Scholarship?

 I began preparing for my application 4 months in advance. It is important to prepare a draft research proposal and a CV early on. I did not have much prior research experience, so I asked a colleague who does to review my research proposal draft and help me improve my proposed research methodology.  After getting these documents ready, I began emailing professors who might be my prospective PhD supervisors. Some of them got back to me, and some did not – that is all a normal part of the process. I attached my CV and research proposal in the email I sent them, so that they could see I was a serious applicant and that I already had a concrete idea of what I wanted to do. In the email I sent to the prospective supervisor, I mentioned in detail how my work and research interests are connected with their work and research expertise. I also began searching for scholarships and made a Google spreadsheet to help me keep track of deadlines and application requirements. Cambridge University has its own funding research database, and that is very helpful in shortlisting scholarships that I was eligible for.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

Anyone is welcome to have a look at my actual application essays here. I think I was able to weave a compelling narrative about how all the various things I have done and studied in my life come together to motivate and prepare me for researching my chosen PhD topic. I also hyperlinked to online evidence of the work I have done in my essays, and used this to illustrate that I have a proven track record of creating ‘impact’ through my academic and professional work. I also did a lot of practice for the PhD interview and for the scholarship interview, which paid off. I strongly recommend preparing answers to possible questions they may ask during interviews, and doing mock practice interview sessions with a colleague whose feedback you would appreciate.

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

I would have additionally researched and applied to all the funding opportunities at Cambridge’s colleges (rather than just central university scholarships). Some of these are only viewable on individual college websites (that’s 31 different college websites!), rather than on the funding search engine on the university.