A KwaZulu-Natal woman has won the opportunity of a lifetime – a chance to study at one of the world’s leading educational establishments. 36 year old Viraksha Chetty, a student at REGENT Business School, will jet off to Oxford University in the United Kingdom in October to attend the institution’s acclaimed Women In Transformation Programme after winning an Actis International Scholarship.
Chetty is looking forward to rubbing shoulders with the world’s intellectual elite at Oxford University and believes the experience will make a significant impact on her career. She is looking forward to sharing key learnings when she returns to help bolster women empowerment in South Africa.
“I am overwhelmed and thankful for this amazing, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” says Chetty, a financial accountant at Mandini on the KZN north coast. “I am driven towards being a motivated and strong leader initiating change and development in South Africa.”
Actis* is the bursary arm of Honoris United Universities**, of which REGENT Business School is a member. There was huge interest among students across the seven Honoris-affiliated institutions late last year when Actis offered three scholarships valued at US$100,000**. Honoris United Universities’ Masters students and Masters Alumni were eligible to enter for a chance to attain a postgraduate qualification at the world’s leading educational establishments. Only individuals with an excellent academic track record were considered, and shortlisted candidates had to undergo stringent pre-selection interviews, among other entry criteria, once entries closed on 30 November 2017.
“These scholarships embody the international mobility and collaborative intelligence at the core of Honoris United Universities’ values,” says Luis Lopez, CEO of Honoris United Universities, the first private pan-African higher education network. “We are proud to be forming Africa’s next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders by providing high quality, accessible education. We are delighted that our graduates will benefit from this opportunity to further widen their horizons and we firmly believe that they will also offer fantastic perspectives, forged in Africa, to these leading establishments.”
Dr Ahmed Shaikh, Managing Director of REGENT Business School, echoes this sentiment. “I am absolutely delighted that one of our students has won the opportunity to gain such invaluable, experience at one of the most prominent institutions in the world,” says Shaikh. “The training and skills that we impart here at our institution equips students for a global career and Viraksha will certainly be able to build on this solid foundation at Oxford. We are proud of her achievement and look forward to hearing about her experiences when she returns.”
In her application, Chetty, who is studying for her MBA at REGENT Business School, described herself as having strong motivational and leadership qualities. “I have achieved so much and I believe there is a lot more to be achieved, as the world is full of endless opportunities. I want to be a part of the global world as a young professional adding value.”
Chetty, who has two daughters, Riddhi (age 1) and Suvarna (age 7) with husband, Vikesh Ramoutar, is one of three Honoris United Universities’ students who will be jetting off to study in the UK.
“I feel so blessed,” adds Chetty. “This is really a dream come true – never had I imagined such an opportunity! Oxford University is known for its rich history, discipline and best international standards. I look forward to networking and meeting people from across the world for the programme and learning in a world-class environment.”
The two other winners from the group are; Akram Maaroufi and Chourouk Haouel from Université Centrale in Tunisia have both been accepted the Master in Energy Management programme at ESCP Europe London Campus.
*About Actis
Actis is a leading investor in growth markets, delivering consistent competitive returns, responsibly. It has a growing portfolio of investments across Asia, Africa and Latin America and has raised over US$12bn since inception.
The firm invests through insights gained from trusted relationships and local knowledge, deep sector expertise and an unparalleled heritage, set within a culture of active ownership.
Applying developed market disciplines to growth markets, an established team of c. 100 investment professionals in ten countries identify investment opportunities in response to two trends: rising domestic consumption and the need for sustained investment in infrastructure across private equity, energy and real estate asset classes.
Actis is a signatory to the United Nations backed Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI), an investor initiative developed by the UNEP FI and the UN Global Compact. Actis targets consistent superior returns across asset classes over the long-term, bringing financial and social benefits to investors, consumers and communities. It calls this the positive power of capital.
**About Honoris United Universities
Honoris United Universities is the first pan-African private higher education network committed to preparing and educating the next generation of African leaders and professionals able to impact regionally in a globalized world. Collaborative intelligence, cultural agility and mobile mindsets and skills are at the heart of Honoris’ vision of higher education.
Honoris United Universities joins the expertise of its member institutions to create pan-regional profile graduates that are competitive in today’s fast-paced and demanding labor markets.
Honoris United Universities gathers a community of 27,000 students on 48 campuses, learning centers and on-line, in 9 countries and 30 cities across Africa. More than 100 degrees are offered in the fields of Health Science, Engineering, IT, Business, Law, Architecture, Arts and Design, Media, Education and Political Science.
Honoris United Universities. Education For Impact™.
Dr Ahmed Shaikh – Managing Director REGENT Business School