AAUA Students Make MCN 2022 Fellowship List

Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko (AAUA) students have been selected as fellows for the 2022 Millennium Campus Network (MCN) leadership cohort.

The MCN fellowship, in partnership with the United Nations Academic Impact, will bring students from across 200 campuses worldwide to build leadership skills, network, and make social impacst.

According to MCN, the application process for the class of 2022 was very competitive, with over 30,000 applicants from 2,400 campuses across 140 nations. Eventually, over 3,000 students were selected from 200 campuses worldwide.

The selected AAUA students were: Peter Emmanuel, Agbelusi Samuel, Adedapo Faith, Olajumoke Mafo, and others.

In an interview with this reporter, the students narrated how they felt being selected and their expectations from the fellowship.

Samuel Agbelusi, a 300-level student of Political Science, disclosed that the application was very demanding, but he endured due to his imperative to take charge in the community and enhance needed change.

“I recall reading through the mail. I thought it was another breakfast served. I feel so happy having been selected for my first application as a fellow to participate in the cohort. That is the feeling right now, and it is amazing.”

He further added that he expects to learn leadership skills and work with other fellows to enhance the needed change in the country.

“As a person with a unique skill of adaptability, then surely I can cope with the leadership cohort.”

Another student, Adedapo Faith Adenike, a 200-level student of the Economic department, stated that the application was unique and stressful as it took her a long time before she could apply.

“I had to apply late because I used someone else’s cell phone because my phone could not work for it. I applied eight days before the deadline.

“I feel good like I screamed when I saw the mail on Monday. I was so happy.”

She added that she would use the avenue to improve her networking and social impact skills as the aim is to add to society through training and unity among other fellows. 

Similarly, Peter Emmanuel, a 200-level student of Sociology, said he was delighted to be an international fellow.

“The application was not easy as there is a need to energize to make a positive goal in the society, but I endured because I want to be an international fellow.”

Emmanuel stated that he received the congratulatory message with shock, noting that he saw it three days after it was sent.

“The cohort already made it known to us that SDG is their main motive, and we as fellows should be ready to make an impact on others,” he narrated.

On her part, Olajumoke Mafo, a 300-level student of the Mass Communication department, said her aim to champion Sustainable Development Goals triggered her to apply.

“I was forced to apply by a friend who knew my vision and ambition for SDGs.”

Olajumoke said she would use her project to champion SDGs goals and make positive changes in her community and campus.

Other students who spoke with this reporter said they could not wait for the cohort to commence.

According to the United Nations Academic Impact website, “Millennium Campus Network (MCN) launched the Millennium Fellowship in 2013 to convene, challenge, and celebrate student leadership for social impact. More than 5,500 young leaders from 300 universities have participated in MCN programs.”

According to the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the MCN, Sam Vaghar, “There were a lot of worthy applicants, but we looked for 200 campus cohorts that reflect a commitment to empathetic, humble, inclusive leadership and where they thought the program could thrive based on strong applications and demonstrated leadership.”