Port Elizabeth resident, Nadine Sampson has been awarded the 2012 Rhodes University Patrick and Margaret Flanagan Scholarship worth R300 000 per annum for two years full-time study.
The award for 2012-2014 which is open to English speaking South African postgraduate women with a first class academic record, enable candidates to study at any international university or tertiary institution abroad.
Describing the award as highly prestigious, Mr John Gillam, Postgraduate Financial Aid Administrator at Rhodes University, said there has been increased interest in the scholarship in recent years, which has seen the number of applications increasing from 60 to 130.
"It is getting tougher and tougher every year to select a candidate because of the high calibre of the applicants," he said.
The selection panel chaired by Rhodes University Vice-Chancellor, Dr Saleem Badat, consists of eight committee members, made up of a mixture of university and non-university related individuals. Individuals are selected onto the committee based on their diverse speciality and skills and efforts are made to involve past recipients of the scholarship, said Mr Gillam.
The scholarship, which first started in 1985 following a significant donation by the late Mrs Margaret Flanagan, has enabled 32 South African women to pursue their academic careers overseas. Of the 32 recipients to date, who represent a range of disciplines, 10 have been from Rhodes University.
“Mrs Flanagan was very committed to developing young South African women in taking up leadership positions in South Africa,” said Mr Gillam, adding that many of the recipients have gone on to enjoy success in their chosen academic fields.
Ms Sampson, who matriculated from Alexander Road High School in Port Elizabeth in 2007 with six distinctions, completed a BSc in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the University of Stellenbosch in 2010, and is currently completing a BSc MedSci (Hons) in Medical Virology, also at Stellenbosch.
In 2009 she became a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society for academic excellence, and has been awarded numerous merit bursaries based on outstanding undergraduate results.
Describing herself as a highly motivated individual with a passion for life and a solid set of good ethics and morals, Ms Sampson said she applied for the Flanagan Scholarship on recommendation from a friend.
“To study overseas has always been a dream for me, but I never thought it would become a reality. The phone call to say I had made it to the interview stage came has a surprise and it made me realize that my dream might just be starting to come true,” she said.
“The interview process with the evening dinner was a great experience and gave the candidates a chance to meet the Scholarship Committee which made for some thought-provoking conversations.”
Ms Sampson had just arrived back in Stellenbosch when she received a phone call from Rhodes University Vice-chancellor, Dr Badat to say that she had been selected as the 2012-2014 Flanagan Scholar.
“I was in such shock, I didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry; the other candidates were such strong individuals that it truly is an honour for me to have been selected,” she said.
Ms Sampson is due to start her studies at the University of Cambridge, commencing in October this year, and plans to include at least one year of research in a Virology-related field and possibly one year focusing on the field of Biotechnology in her degree.
“I am extremely excited about my new adventure and I am looking forward to gaining exciting new knowledge and skills which I can put to good use on my return to South Africa. I look forward to the challenge of studying in a foreign country, meeting new people and also getting an insight into a country filled with history and beautiful architecture,” she said.
Story by Sarah-Jane Bradfield
Photo supplied