Rutgers African Graduate Student Association

To all the incredible women in our world, I hope you have a happy Women's Day. The fight for women's rights in our world has persisted since 1911 when Clara Zetkin proposed the idea of an International Women's Day (IWD) to advance women's economic empowerment. Investing in women is a guarantee to accelerate progress! Power to the Women! The Future is Women! INVEST IN WOMEN!

A Personal Reflection on the Life of the Late President Dr Hage G. Geingob Namibian Presidency

As our nation mourns the death of our beloved President Hage Gottfried Geingob, I want to reflect and instill a few thoughts. The late Dr. Martin Luther King Junior once remarked, "Death comes to every individual. There is an amazing democracy about death. It is not an aristocracy for some of the people but a democracy for all of the people. Kings die, and beggars die; rich men die, and poor men die; old people die, and young people die; death comes to the innocent, and it comes to the guilty".

Still more! Late Nelson Mandela said, "Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people." Leaders like the late President Geingob are examples. He was a lifelong public servant who died serving Namibia with his unique personality. He may not be everyone's cup of tea, especially as a politician, but we all have vices and must accommodate each other. Hon. Bernardus Swartbooi, the Leader of the Landless People Movement, my brother with whom we traversed the corridors of our great University of Namibia (fondly called the UNAM of Namibia) under the leadership of our former Vice-Chancellor and now Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Prof. Peter Katjavivi, touched me and brought tears to my eyes as he recounted his last visit with his wife to the late President Geingob. A reflective late President Geingob gave him profound wisdom. He told Hon. Swartbooi, "Never cut off anybody in politics or life permanently." That is powerful and wise advice from the "Grootman" ('Big Man,' as the late President Geingob was called in some circles) that we can all follow in life.
Similarly, I will tell fellow Namibians to never disregard each other despite our differences. In the true spirit of 'Harambee' (Pulling Together), let us continue the work of our founding father of the Namibian nation, Tate Sam Nujoma, our former President, Tate Lucas Hifikepunye Pohamba, and the late President Geingob and our leaders' tireless dedication to building the Namibian house! We dare not fail!

Our nation swore in a new President and Vice-President in less than 24 hours, with former President Pohamba in attendance! It seems natural, inevitable, and seamless! My wife, Ndeshi Conteh, told me this morning, "It was prompt, democratic, peaceful, and constitutional" as we reflect on this commendable transition. She's right. Our Namibian norm is different and unique despite what we think! The peaceful power transfer in Namibia shows a functioning democracy, credible systems, and institutions respected by our leaders, who put Namibia first. Our leaders and our Namibian nation deserve praise for this peaceful power transition in our country. Some countries have bloodshed and untold suffering of innocent civilians because rouge politicians ignore the constitution and flout laws and rules of institutions to stay in power!

I won't mention Sierra Leone, my country of birth, where election results were contested and the credibility of the electoral body questioned, innocent lives were lost, coups and failed coups were alleged. The former President was accused of treason. The peaceful transition of power in Namibia should inspire other nations, especially those in Africa, to emulate Namibia's democracy. How gratifying that we are saying our condolences for our late President, and in the same breath, we are also saying congratulations to our new President, His Excellency Nangolo Mbumba, and our Vice-President, Hon Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.

Namibians, may we guard our peace and stability and be ready to defend and work for the development of Namibia as we move forward. As the late President Geingob will always say, we do it the Namibian way! "Omake" (Clap) for Namibia, and may President Geingob's joyful soul rest in peace! My deepest sympathy to Madam. Mónica Geingos, the children, the bereaved family, and the entire nation for this irreparable loss of our late President Geingob! May the good Lord comfort and grant us peace during this difficult time!
Aluta Continua!
RIP Dr Hage G. Geingob
Michael Conteh

Looking forward to this webinar with excitement. Let's explore community engagement models that foster sustainable growth!

Thurs 3/31 at Noon - MIT X TAU - The fourth webinar in a seven-part series focused on various aspects of sustainable development in Africa. We'll have Noella Coursaris Musunka, a Congolese/Cypriot philanthropist and international model, is the Founder & CEO of Malaika, a grassroots nonprofit that educates and empowers girls and communities in her home country of the Democratic Republic of the Congo through a school, a community center, and a clean water program.
Register at https://bit.ly/3C2OMCu

Ideas Matter Fellowship for West African Scholars in a US institution | For more information, visit the website.

Ideas Matter US-based Scholars This Grant opens for applications Jan. 27! The deadline is March 15, 2021. Ideas Matter Fellowship for West African Scholars in a US institution The West African Research Association (WARA), in collaboration with the Mastercard

Takeaways from session two of our webinar: "Key Application Principles and Examples" presented by Dean Henderson and Associate Dean Perry from the Graduate School - Newark

Thank you to our wonderful speakers and all those who attended our Virtual Graduate Scholarship Search and Competitiveness Workshop! We really appreciate the support, stay tuned for more events!

Rutgers University African Graduate Student Association presents:

𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗼𝗻-𝗨𝗦 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻𝘀

The ongoing pandemic has placed a number of challenges in many aspects of our lives over the past year. For students, especially international students, this has presented many new obstacles.

Join us to learn about the scholarship and funding opportunities available, as well as gain useful insight on how to navigate these resources, learn about student immigration updates, and key application principles for applying to graduate school.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲! 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲:
https://bit.ly/3iWNNuf