First Commonwealth Scholarship Commission student graduates

Grace Mutali is the School of Environment, Natural Resources and Geography’s first CSC scholar to complete MSc Forestry Distance Learning. She lives in Zambia, from where she has completed the entire course, except for a summer school that she attended in 2012 in Tanzania. She completed her dissertation with the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), with whom SENRGy has very close links.

Grace said: “First of all many thanks once again to Commonwealth Scholarship Commission for granting me a scholarship which enabled me obtain a Masters Degree in Forestry. Although I was a distance learning student, I never felt the ‘gap’. Being a distance learning student at Bangor was as though I was a full time student because of the wonderful learning environment that was provided. Lack of visual contact with our module coordinators (Lecturers) was not a problem. Blackboard (including student forums), DVDs, on-line library, and other learning materials really provided all the support that a student needed in order to pass a particular module. Not only that, the interaction between the team (SENRGY) and the students and among students enabled me enjoy my ‘student life’ at most. In addition, the quick response of the Program Coordinator and the entire team (SENRGY) to student’s both academic and personal problems encouraged me to go on even under intense circumstance.

“Having obtained a Master’s degree is indeed a success to me as I had always desired to be a lecturer so when an opportunity came for to me pursue a master’s degree, I realized that that was a “dream come true”. I have always desired to lecture at a higher learning institution (University). Having a background of a being a Training Officer at some Forestry College, this achievement will enable me to even attain higher heights in academia. My academic achievement will not only enable me further my career and future prospects but will also help me to positively contribute to my Country Zambia by disseminating the precious acquired knowledge to students and the community at large.”  

Publication date: 11 July 2014