Updated: Unilag alumni emerges only African BGS recipient at Stanford

Stanford University announced the selection on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. It indicated that UNILAG is the only African university among the 60 from where the 2024 cohort of 90 new scholars emerged.

According to the announcement, Akanmu is one of five Africans, the only one from an African-based tertiary institution, selected to join the 2024 cohort. This edition is the seventh and largest cohort since the inception of the Award.

Akanmu, according to the Unilag website, is the third UNILAG graduate to receive the Knight-Hennessy Scholar Award.

The scholar will pursue a Ph.D . in Energy Science and Engineering at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.

He graduated with a perfect Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 5.0 in Civil Engineering at the UNILAG Convocation Ceremonies held in January.

TheNewsZenith gathered through the Stanford Univeristy website that among the 2024 scholars, 47 per cent hold a non-U.S. passport.

Also, 49% of U.S. scholars identify as a person of colour and 11% have served in the U.S. military.

The scholars, according to the university, earned undergraduate degrees at 60 different institutions, including 12 international institutions.

Read Related News:

It stated further that the seventh cohort brings the total scholar count to 514 up to date, beginning with the inaugural cohort enrolled in 2018.

“Each scholar brings a unique perspective to our growing community,” Tina Seelig, Executive Director of Knight-Hennessy Scholars said.

“It is inspiring to see them build ties and gain knowledge across disciplines, cultures, and ideologies, contributing to their ability to address the world’s biggest challenges.”

Knight-Hennessy Scholars is a multidisciplinary, multicultural graduate fellowship program spanning all seven schools at Stanford University.

They receive up to three years of financial support to pursue graduate studies at Stanford. The scholars will engage in experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous and collaborative leaders.

They will be groomed to be able to address complex challenges facing the world.

Scholars are selected based on their demonstration of independence of thought, purposeful leadership, and a civic mindset. Application for the 2025 cohort will open on June 1 and end on Oct. 9.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, on behalf of the University Senate, and community congratulates David Akanmu on this feat. (Culled from the UNILAG website)