The world is projected to reach a population of 9.7 billion in 2050 and could peak at nearly 11 billion around 2100 according to recent United Nations reports. The human capital development of youth, especially in the Global South, therefore plays a crucial role in enabling economic and social mobility. The United Nations expects that by 2030, the global majority of people under the age of 24 will live on the African continent. These young people will be instrumental in tackling the myriad of challenges from the climate crisis to food system security and migration not just on the continent but around the world. Therefore, the development of human capital is of paramount importance to meet the challenges of the emerging green and knowledge-based economy in the 21st century.
The Graduate Assistance Initiative Network (GAIN) was ideated in tandem with the UN SDG framework (1, 4, 5, and 10). Our goal is to increase the diversity and inclusion of underrepresented groups such as in higher education to promote human capital development and thus socio-economic growth.
We firmly believe in honesty and strong moral principles to guide our actions.
Compassion drives our commitment to serving others with empathy, kindness, and dignity.
We strive selflessly for the welfare and well-being of others.
We seek an inclusive and friendly community for all through the principle of equal value and dignity.
We believe that everyone deserves to reach their fullest potential for self-actualization.
Our commitment to the democratization of graduate education remains steadfast in ensuring the resilience and continuity of our programs.
An application window is opened to recruit volunteer mentors between September 19th and October 15th, 2024.
Concurrent application shall be open to mentees between September 15th and 15th October 2024.
Pair of mentors and mentees shall be completed in early November 2024.
Mentorship shall be completed between 1st November 2024 till end of their application but not more than 3 months.
Feedback from both mentors and mentees shall be collected in April 2025 to help improve the programme.
A virtual closing ceremony will be held in early May 2025 where mentors and mentees can give account of their experience in the program.
Applicants from the global South and underrepresented minorities in the Global North.
A candidate whose parent(s)/legal guardian(s) have not completed a bachelor’s degree.
Women, non-binary applicants, and trans applicants of any gender orientation: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, or asexual applicants as described by the Human Rights Campaign.
Candidates from households with net income below the United Nations and World Bank’s poverty measures.
Candidates who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment.
People who want to leave their country with an authoritarian regime and apply for study abroad as political refugees, people who are running from countries under military conflict, or people who are under political persecution in their own country.
Mentors support and assist mentees through guidance and feedback on their application portfolio: CV, Statement of Purpose, selecting graduate schools, and the professors aligned to their career interests. The mentoring will be done virtually on an agreed schedule between the mentor and the mentee at regular intervals. This is a volunteering program, so graduate students from any university across the world can participate in helping other young people. Graduate students have gained years of experience searching for scholarship opportunities, and thus, are equipped with the tools and skillsets to improve mentees' applications to graduate programmes.
Mentor Applicationreach out if you have questions about the application process, eligibility, timeline, etc.
reach out if you would like to get involved in GAIN.
reach out if you want to donate and/or partner with us.