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The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships & Leadership Programme

Annual Report 2019-2020 1

Michael Lewis

Prof Louise Richardson

Chairman of Trustees, Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust

Vice Chancellor, University of Oxford

"Investment in young people is the most tangible expression of faith in the future. This partnership between the Trust and Oxford University is a brilliant way to realise this ambition.”

“Lord Weidenfeld believed, rightly, that Oxford is a place where ignorance, prejudice and narrowmindedness have no place. It is a community where there has long existed a real and deep-seated desire to pursue the knowledge and understanding that, through both thought and action, will help make the world a better place for all its peoples.”

introduction The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships are the largest philanthropic scholarships supported by the University of Oxford. However, it is the founding spirit of the Trust, its unrelenting focus on empowering students from developing and emerging economies and its unique Leadership Programme which distinguishes it from other academic scholarships.

The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust is more than a Scholarship. It is a holistic programme of social support, networking and leadership training which complements the rigours of academic study at Oxford. The tailor-made Leadership Programme jump starts the ambitions of young leaders, equipping them to return to their regions and countries of origin to shine a light of hope and make meaningful contributions in Sustainability, Business, Law, Education, Digital Technologies, Governance, Diplomacy and Health.

The Trust’s founder, Lord Weidenfeld of Chelsea GBE, was an Austrian refugee. He channelled his personal experience in overcoming adversity and his success as a publisher, into a global- reaching philanthropic movement whose goal is to use discourse and cross-cultural dialogue to build common understanding, tolerance and ultimately camaraderie across social, economic and political borders. In 2015, Lord Weidenfeld’s friends marked his 95th birthday by raising funds to endow this programme. Through the instrumental contributions of its first chairman, André Hoffmann, together with the support of Trustee and current chairman, Michael Lewis, family members, Alina and Ben Barnett, and a very active and generous Advisory Board, the Programme is poised to help solve the world’s most pressing problems, by empowering the brightest and best from across the globe to receive a world-class education at Oxford.

Finally, the Trust would not exist without the “WHT family” – a collection of individual donors, staff, scholars, advisers and friends, who constantly invest their efforts to see through Lord Weidenfeld and André Hoffmann’s vision – nurturing talent, creating opportunities for future leaders – to change the face of our planet. The trust is ever grateful for this vital backbone of support.

Lord Weidenfeld of Chelsea, 13 September 1919-20 January 2016 André Hoffmann, WHT first Trust Chairman and major benefactor

Contents Welcome 3 A Global Scholarship

Funding and Donors Scholarships Endowment

Direct Donors 2018-2019

Leadership Programme Donors 2018-2019

Scholar Experience 2018-2019

Our Unique Leadership Programme Introduction 13 Building the Foundation for Ethical Leadership

Preparing a Toolset for Professional Excellence

Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset

Creating Community

Putting Leadership into Action

Alumni Growing Impact 43 The Transition from Oxford

Scaling Up the Impact

WHT Support Group 52 Humanitas 53 Scholar Cohort 2019-2020

Scholar Cohort 2018-2019

OVERVIEW OF THE YEAR Dear Scholars, Alumni, Supporters and Friends of WHT It is hard to look back at the smiling faces of our first group photos at the beginning of the academic year last September and wonder how we were in such a cocoon that we could not have imagined that the world could be turned upside down so swiftly, and so comprehensively. Many of this year’s cohort have said that they hope to be the one and only group to have to go through half a year in lockdown and online. No one can answer that but I can say that our 2020 cohort have shown great resilience in what have been exceptionally difficult circumstances. Although no one would wish it on them, I think they have found their own ways of coping and it has been impressive to watch.

Scholars at the University Parks In April, thanks to Nadja Skaljic, our alum who has recently joined the WHT advisory board, we had a zoom session with a perceptive and interesting Bosnian executive coach and Director of the British Council in Sarajevo, Larisa Halilović. She asked the cohort to name some of the things that lockdown had provokedanswers were as varied as you might imagine from such a cohort caught between Oxford, Scotland, South Africa, China, India, Peru, Poland- ‘I went through a box of things I had kept since my school days' said one, 'I learnt to cook', said another, 'I wrote a letter which I stuck up on my wall about my dreams so as to motivate myself' said a third, 'I reached out to a fellow scholar from another part of the world and we had regular talks about politics and philosophy' and so it went on. Overall, the importance of the WHT family was greatly appreciated by one and all. For that I have to give a huge thanks to our small WHT team. We have made important strides forward in ways that we hope will not only benefit our scholars but also the University and knit the two to create an ever-closer partnership. For some time, our students have asked to be housed together in groups rather than scattered across the colleges and now finally I can say this will happen. Our next cohort will be in one of seven colleges and each of these has contributed towards our Leadership programme. Thanks to Helen Mountfield, seven students will be at Mansfield and these will be named after the distinguished former Secretary General of the UN, Kofi Annan. Kathy Willis at St Edmund Hall will be taking five students thanks to the Julius Baer Foundation, Keble and Lincoln are also partnering thanks to the Sloane Robinson Foundation. The other colleges joining in this partnership are Trinity, Hertford and Worcester and we are extremely grateful to everyone involved in making this happen. One additional benefit at this time is that the students will have ready formed small groups on which we can base elements of our Leadership Programme with whatever measures of social distancing are needed in the next academic year.

This college partnership has also enabled us to kickstart the endowment for our Leadership Programme. André Hoffmann has incredibly generously agreed to match the funding raised and Michael Lewis, who has taken over as Chairman of the Trustees, has also kindly made a significant contribution. My WHT year began in Jerusalem where I joined friends and family of the late Lord Weidenfeld to celebrate the centenary of his birth. Three of our alumni joined distinguished guests to share their memories in what was a warm and memorable event.(see website for video www.whtrust.org) In the next pages you can read about some of the highlights of our year. We enjoyed an intensive fourday Moral Philosophy Seminar, thanks to Robin Hambro’s unfailing generosity and culminating in a joyous celebratory dinner held in Oxford’s first library dating back to 1320. The evening was donated by an alum to whom we are very grateful. (see blog p..) Our students also enjoyed their outing to Windsor and the Blavatnik Practical Skills Residential Programme where we saw the first tentative steps of the Enterprise projects we would see again, quite transformed, six months later. (see blog p) Our advisory board continue to be central to making our events really special. Trevor McDonald agreed to chair this year’s controversial debate entitled ‘This house believes that gender should be abolished’ (see blog p..). We are especially grateful to the Weidenfeld family members, Ben and Alina Barnett for their constant support throughout the year especially around the Enterprise Challenge and to Justin Gayner who continues to give us unstinting help and advice and mentored one of the most successful Enterprise Challenge projects.

Alina and Ben Barnett with Natalia Bulgakova in Jerusalem

....Scholars and WHT Team before Christmas Dinner at the end of term

Scholars with Justin Gayner at Cumberland Lodge

Scholars and Nik Kirby with Sir Trevor McDonald at the Debate

Twenty-one of our scholars found themselves still in Oxford at the time of lockdown. Those who had managed to get home continued to join in for online working and our zoom events as best they could. Precious Lunga, an epidemiologist, also on our advisory board, joined a Q&A session to give very helpful tips on how to navigate life under lockdown. We were able to benefit from some workshops with eminent Oxford figures who were more accessible than during normal times- Professor Thomas Hellmann gave an excellent workshop on the finances of entrepreneurship and Associate Professor Emily Jones gave a much sought after and appreciated workshop on negotiation skills. We hoped that perhaps we would all get together for the Leadership Forum at the end of June- but it was not to be so we resorted to zoom sessions stretched over two days and a brief get together over strawberries and prosecco in the Oxford Parks -it did mean our scholars were able to meet André Hoffmann over a Q&A session and also hear from the BBC’s America Editor, Jon Sopel who gave candid and often amusing insights from his vantage point in Washington DC. (blog see page)

Scholars with André Hoffmann Q&A on Zoom

Scholars with Jon Sopel Q&A on Zoom

It also meant that alums from across the world joined this year’s cohort to give them tips and insight into the world as it feels after Oxford or rather coming down, to use the proper Oxford term. And we are excited to have Nadja join us to bring an ever closer relationship between what are now well over 250 alums from 74 Countries. ( see p .. for Nadja words) The eight projects of the Enterprise Challenge wowed the business panel- each had come up with a slick short video and a clear presentation of their projects- from one possible winner it ended up being five and the Trust very much hope that in these uncertain times the students will see these fledgling projects as a good next step. Panel members have contributed to an Enterprise Challenge Seed Fund (see p...) and we plan to give them all the support we can. The idea for a specific fund to encourage these projects came from our alum Alan Clarke who gave generously of his time during the final months he was in the UK before returning to set up his own business in South Africa. Three of our lucky scholars are off to Louis Dreyfus Foundation projects as part of our partnership with the Foundation for which we must thank Margarita Louis Dreyfus and Robert Serpollet who took the time to come to come to England and meet this year’s cohort.

And so, what about next year? Martin Williams, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) has been very helpful in guiding us through what to expect and plan for. Under his guidance we carried out interviews and selected thirty-one new candidates via skype from our various homes. It felt quite surreal sitting in my (bed)room in the English countryside speaking to a young man balancing his laptop on his knee under the shade of a huge tamarind tree in Uganda The University say they are ‘open for business’ and as long as the students can get the requisite visas they will be arriving towards the end of September. We will welcome them in whatever way we can and plan to lay on the Leadership Programme, albeit in a slightly different form. We hope to get back to our lovely new offices which we found entirely thanks to the help of Andrew Dilnot and Nuffield College who remain stalwart supporters to us. Finally, I hope very much that you dip into these blogs and also if you can do look at this year’s cookbook entirely created and sourced during lockdown!

WHT Scholars 2020 Cookbook which was produced during lockdown Best wishes,

The Team There is a small highly tuned engine that keeps the Trust going and never more so than during lockdown. Our thanks to them all: Jane, for being on hand throughout and never once letting a smile leave her face; to Temi for coming up with wonderful emails of items for scholars to dip into and Maggie for sourcing and hand delivering treats such as brownies to sweeten the gloomier months; to Irina for keeping everyone’s spirits up on the long haul to the Enterprise Challenge finals, to Nik for his laid back approach to problems great and small, and to Elizabeth for her kind help and advice to one and all.

that happened in my life. It opened my mind, connected me with outstanding

“

‘The WHT scholarship is the best thing

people from around the world and made me recalibrate many of my long-held attitudes. Thank you a million WHT!’

Meron Kifle-Eritrea, Oxford-Hoffmann and Annenberg, MSc International Health and Tropical Medicine

FUNDING AND DONORS

Funding WHT Scholarships Endowment

Endowment Fund

In less than five years thanks to the generosity of our first Chairman and major donor André Hoffmann and match funding from our partner the University of Oxford, the Trust raised nearly £30 million for an endowment which will allow for circa 30 scholars per year in perpetuity to accept an offer to study at one of the world’s greatest universities. In 2019-20 the Endowment funds supported: 14 Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann Scholars 10 Oxford-Hoffmann Scholars

Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann Scholarships and the Oxford-Hoffmann Scholarships The funds for these endowed scholarships were generously provided by Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust donors (see below) and André Hoffmann/Fondation Hoffmann respectively, matched 60/40 by University of Oxford funds. The capital is held in the Oxford Endowment Fund (OEF), a unitised investment vehicle managed by Oxford University Endowment Management (OUEM). Part of the return on this fund is used to support all tuition and living expenses of these scholarships each year. The first phase of Endowment fundraising was spearheaded by our Chairman Mr André Hoffmann who gave £5m in honour of Lord George Weidenfeld’s 95th Birthday in 2014. The Trust is grateful to him and the following supporters: 'The experience I’ve gained over the past year would not have been Mr Eric Abraham & Dr Sigrid Rausing possible had it not been for the Mr Michael Lewis scholarship, for which I’m extremely Sackler Trust thankful to you, Mr Hoffmann. Mr Ben Barnett McCall MacBain Foundation In the Himalayas, ‘migration’ is not just a term, it’s a concept. Mr Jaqui Safra People leave the region, never to return. I, on the other hand, Dr Pierre Keller am eagerly looking forward to being back in my homeland Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein and continuing to work as the woman who went to Oxford, Clore Duffield Foundation and who returned.' Mrs Angelika Diekmann Mr Lawrence & Mrs Carol Saper Kavita Upadhyay, India Oxford-Hoffmann, MSc Water Science Policy and Management

The Fondation Hoffmann pledged another £9m on the occasion of the scholarships' 10th Anniversary. *Some of these donations were made in memory of the scholarships’ other long-term supporter, Sir Ronald Grierson.

Past Donors: The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust remains grateful to all donors who have supported the Trust over its lifetime including Arcadia, Roland Berger, Barbara Walters, and Sir Evelyn de Rothschild with the Eranda Rothschild Foundation, which continues to support our travel grants. 9

FUNDING AND DONORS

Funding WHT Scholarships Direct Donors 2019-20 The Trust continues to benefit from the generous support of other institutional and individual donors and partners both at Oxford and within the broader WHT network enabling us to support the brightest and best students from developing and emerging economies.

5 Scholars 3 Scholars in partnership

3 Scholars

Max Weidenfeld Travel Grant Unfortunately owing to the Covid-19 Pandemic and global lockdown no Max Weidenfeld Travel Grants were awarded this year.

‘This program has truly changed my life. I have been a leader before, but I could not see it. People from the WHT community have helped me believe in what I could become and start to develop my plans on how to get there.’ Aileen Brown - Mexico, Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann-Barnett, MBA  10

3 Scholars

FUNDING AND DONORS

Funding the Leadership Programme Donors 2019-20 Each year, we work in partnership with institutional and individual donors and thanks to their generosity we have been able to grow the Leadership Programme for its beneficiaries. This year we have raised £100k towards the cost of the Leadership Programme. Our alumni have raised almost £3,500 including an anonymous donor who supports the Welcome Dinner.

Generously supports public speaking and communication training

MRS ROBIN HAMBRO Generously supports the Robin Hambro Moral Philosophy Seminars Series

Generously supported the Leadership Programme for 3 Scholars

Looking to the Future Securing the Leadership Programme College Partnerships: Creating supportive communities across the Collegiate University At the start of 2019 WHT set a target of £4 million to endow the Leadership Programme. This year WHT entered into new partnerships with a cluster of core Colleges to place WHT scholars together from 2020-21 to enhance their Oxford experience and their contributions to their College communities while supporting access to the Leadership Programme for these Scholars. The College Partnership commitment of c £1.5m over 5 years has been key in securing the future of the Leadership Programme. André Hoffmann agreed to match this sum with a very generous donation of £1.5 million and with £250k gifted from Michael Lewis has brought our goal of securing a dynamic programme, a physical base at Oxford and a team to support them much closer.

Hertford College

Keble College

Lincoln College

Mansfield College 11

St Edmund Hall

Trinity College

Worcester College

‘For someone who had given over five years of commitment to create job opportunities for women and campaigned for socio-environmental justice in Nepal, being selected as a Louis Dreyfus Weidenfeld-Hoffmann scholar, validated my talents and my future promises. It also celebrated the courage and sacrifice of a migrant worker dad and a primary grade teacher mom, who lived apart most of their lives, to support their daughters’ education. I am certain that the experiences my scholarship has allowed me to gain at Oxford, will be reflected far and wide, including in my community back home. To begin with, I look forward to contributing my expertise in the socio-environmental-development sector, in my work placement, through my scholarship, in Indonesia.’ Bivishika Bhandari- Nepal, Louis Dreyfus-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann, MSc Nature, Society and Environmental Governance

A Unique Global Over the past 13 years, the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust has studying 76 courses thanks to

AndrĂŠ Hoffmann Major donor and Trustee, Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust WHT Panel, SDG Tent, Davos 2019

Scholars by Year

"Does it really matter that 30 people go to a top University? Does it really make a difference in the world? Can we contend that we have fulfilled our duty and responsibility of making the world a better place if we give 30 young people the opportunity to do this? I believe it matters a great deal . . . The Leadership Programme goes over and above what the University teaches, it creates a community, a sense of cohort, of people who can talk to each other and share solutions."

35 30

Number of Scholars

32 29

22 19

20 20

18 20

16 20

14 20

12 20

10 20

Scholarship awarded 394 Scholarships to scholars from 79 countries our 22 partners and donors

Prof. Louise Richardson Vice Chancellor of the University of Oxford, introducing the Trust at the World Economic Forum 2019

Scholars by Region

"The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust not only transforms the lives of the scholars who come to Oxford, it also transforms Oxford by enriching the rest of the university with the perspectives of these dynamic young people, and it transforms the countries they go back to with the education and training they receive."

40% Asia 20% Africa 19% Eastern Europe 11% Latin America 10% North America 14

WHT Scholar 'The magic was truly in the beautiful people I met, from the loving and dedicated team running the program to the inspiring and friendly scholars, I was never deprived of kindness. I feel that I have grown so much in ways even I am yet to discover. One thing I do know is that I am ready to make a difference, I am ready to leave my mark and I am ready to keep growing. I am proud of who I am and who I am becoming.’  Nsuku Nxumalo- South Africa,  Weidenfeld-Hoffmann/Chevening-Lewis, MSc Water Science, Policy and Management

‘I am grateful for the support that WHT has given me to undergo extensive leadership training and through such training I have come to realise that I have a duty to my community and country to take up leadership positions. I am now confident that I have the requisite skills to become an exemplary and skilled female leader in my community and country which goes beyond tokenism. I believe we need more female leaders taking up leadership positions and thriving which will pave way for real change and appreciation of women in leadership’   Nomcazululo Ncube - Zimbabwe, Weidenfeld-Hoffmann and Annenberg, MSc International Health and Tropical Medicine

‘I have enjoyed meeting new amazing people who have invaluable experience to learn from. WHT is a family that I will never forget and shall always be grateful for. I have learnt many things away from books, I have visited amazing places and I have met future leaders and formed a bond. This by far has been the most successful and fulfilling part of my life. Finally, WHT made my dream to study in Oxford come true.’   Dennis Njunge- Kenya, Louis Dreyfus-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann, MSc Water Science, Policy and Management

'Being a WHT scholar during my one year master in Oxford has been an incredible privilege and learning experience. WHT has provided me with a strong sense of belonging and forged solidarity between outstanding individuals from all over the world with who we have built a true leadership network.' Martina Lejtreger - Uruguay, Oxford-Hoffmann, MPP

Experience 2019-20 ‘My experience as a WHT Scholar has been nothing short of inspirational and eye-opening. From the Moral Philosophy Seminars, where we discussed really important topics that we take for granted such as freedom, democracy, human rights to learning from some of the finest people I've met, and who are sure to make an impact in whatever they choose to do!’ Naman Ahluwalia - India, Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann-Saïd/Barnett, MBA

'Having been through an extremely busy and hectic year, I cannot imagine my Oxford experience without WHT. The overall program, the moral philosophy seminars (residential and follow-ups), the get away from Oxford at the end of Michaelmas term, my fellow scholars and the diversity of their passions and interests enriched my experience at Oxford in ways that words fail me to express. I am eternally grateful for the experience and the warm and loving WHT family.' Shabana Basij-Rasikh, Afghanistan, Master of Public Policy, Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann-Abraham/Rausing

‘I believe the Scholarship and Leadership programme is aimed at identifying the hearts and minds most committed to bringing lasting positive change in developing countries, nurturing their innate leadership skills and exposing them to world-class thinking and doing.’ Bhanu Prasad Mellachervu Naga - India, Oxford-Hoffmann, MSc Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation

How the 2019-20 Cohort sees it 81%

say the Leadership Programme provided a community of support

74%

say the Leadership Programme helped them to develop professional / practical skills

68%

say they leave the programme with the knowledge and skills to make an impact in their home communities 16

Nsuku told us she had written a poem to mark the end of this year of studies as a WHT scholars. She recited it beautifully at the end of our Leadership Forum we wanted to share it with you...

Hope-WHT

Though the change may tarry, if we persevere, it will surely come And though the journey ahead may meander through hills and valleys, trials and tribulations  "Ndlopfu a yi fi hi rimbambu rin'we" An elephant does not die of one broken rib We are not the giving up type But we are the giving type

Hope is the sight of yellow daffodils in spring  The gentle breeze blowing on my face  The warm sun on my skin  And the steadiness of bent willow trees by the Worcester College lake  Hope is the breath in my lungs.  The blood in my veins The heartbeat in my chest Hope is simply being alive

To whom much is given much is expected  So lift where you stand In as far as you can Challenge the status quo Empower another  Push the boundaries of progress  Uphold a standard of excellence  And speak the language of love

Today, hope is the sight of WHT scholars and alumni  Factors of influence and agents of change  Born for such a time as this  We are the ones we have been waiting for. We are the voices of hope in a climate crisis, a global pandemic, social injustice and political unrest.  We are the epitome of hope in our social enterprises, policy reforms, NGOs and innovative research.

Yes be the face of hope To your family, friends, strangers, colleagues and ultimately the nations.  As long as you live, be an ambassador for hope Because hope is the breath in your lungs.  the blood in your veins, the heartbeat in your chest.  Looking at everyone here today,  I can honestly say I am filled with unwavering hopeful.

Our stories scream strength  Our resilience rouses revolutions  Our passion propels progress Our lives will leave a legacy

Nsuku Nxumalo- South Africa, Weidenfeld-Hoffmann/Chevening-Lewis, MSc Water Science, Policy and Management

LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME

Building the Foundation for Ethical Leadership Robin Hambro Moral Philosophy Programme Scholars joined us pre-term for a four-day immersion in discussions and reflections on political and moral philosophy. Academic moderators led by Professor Jeremy Jennings and Dr Nik Kirby guided scholars through texts from Aristotle to Mandela to consider what constitutes leadership and a ‘good society’, how individuals engage in civic and public life and the tensions that can exist between democracy, equality, justice, personal liberty and collective security, all questions to which they brought their own cultural perspectives. Follow up seminars brought them back to reflect on Global Justice (Michaelmas), Feminism (Hilary), Democracy (Trinity) and Anger (Leadership Forum). This introduction to Oxford, each other and to the WHT supporters at a formal Welcome dinner provided an essential launch pad for this year.

‘I found the discussions incredibly insightful because it highlighted how leadership can look so differently in different countries, cultural and historic contexts.’ Francheska Loza Sanclemente - Mexico, Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann-Saïd, MBA

‘Before the start of the Moral Philosophy Seminar, I expected to take away from this a list of values which a leader needs to follow and a list of rights and wrongs. However, by the end of the seminar, I learned that we do not have all the answers. My biggest takeaways turned out to be valuable lessons on the art of thinking, reasoning and forming own opinions, which are essential skills for leadership.’ ‘The social activities helped us network and get to know one another. It was great to hear from the WHT alumni who gave us useful tips to make the most of our short time at Oxford. I was also happy to see and meet the generous donors without whom none of this would be possible. Vignesh Kamath Cannanure - India, Oxford-Hoffmann , MSc Biodiversity, Conservation and Management 18

SCHOLAR EXPERIENCE : IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Our Introduction to the WHT Family Through Robin Hambro Moral Philosophy Seminar

Oksana Matiiash- Ukraine, Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann, MPP

Being a lawyer by background, I was not stressed about the upcoming discussions of Machiavelli’s and Weber’s works, as I had to argue a lot about the issues these philosophers raised when I was a law student. What made me anxious was the upcoming meeting with 30 amazing people from all over the world.

learned how much strength lies in the diversity of opinions. This would have been impossible without the help of our Seminar facilitators who were very knowledgeable about the moral philosophy subject matter.  What I liked about the Seminar, even more, was how much time we had to spend with each other, either discussing the moral philosophy readings or enjoying breakfast at the Harris Manchester ‘Harry Potter-like’ dining hall. Thanks to changes in the seating plan during the dinners, every evening we were able to share our thoughts and emotions with new people, getting to know our WHT family better. We also got to know some of the donors and organizers whose generosity and support made our life-changing journey to Oxford possible. Sharing meals together, discussing moral dilemmas, walking through the University Parks, enjoying the Oxford tour, and exploring living history in the Ashmolean Museum made the WHT Moral Philosophy Seminar a truly bonding experience.

On our first day, we settled in the beautiful Harris Manchester College where we were about to spend almost 5 days together, knowing only as much as two paragraphs about each other. Coming from a mostly homogenous society, I had never been exposed to so many different cultures in one place before (Mexico, Colombia, Congo DRC, India, Nepal, Kenya, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Poland, Lesotho, Uruguay, Eritrea, Maldives, South Africa, Argentina, Afghanistan, China, Myanmar, Peru, Namibia).  Every day, we had discussions to reflect on the readings that had been sent to us in advance. It was extremely enriching to seek the answers to complex questions about the relationship between ethics and politics, equality and rights, with a doctor from the Maldives, a journalist from India and the first female Director in the Macroeconomic Research Department at the Ministry of Finance of Mexico.

Having been raised in a single culture, I came to Oxford with entrenched presuppositions, values, and beliefs. I considered them true because I had always been told they were true. I had assumed these ideas to be universal, but during the WHT Moral Philosophy Seminar, my thinking and my worldview was challenged and permanently changed. The exercise forced me to re-think some of my most basic assumptions about the current state of the world, and in turn, helped me understand myself, my beliefs, and my values so much better. Finally, it enabled me to decide on the type of leadership I want to pursue.

Being challenged by each other’s unique perspectives, we had to answer questions about the qualities of a good leader, the nature of liberty, the unequal distribution of wealth, and many more. The atmosphere of tolerance and openness gave us a chance to explore the answers using examples from our own lives and provide insights into the differences between our countries. I have

LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME

Preparing a Toolset for Professional Excellence Blavatnik Practical Skills Residential Training Programme

The Blavatnik Practical Skills seminar at the end of the first term takes place in the wonderful Windsor Great park setting of Cumberland Lodge where the scholars come together again for focused communication training and the development of personal narratives.

Enterprise Challenge Pitch to Business Leaders Interview Skills On-camera Training for Public Speaking Writing for Web and Social Media Professional Networking

â€˜I can't emphasize enough how amazing this training was for all of us. The pace allowed for each person to be given individual feedback and advice, and the results that we saw later on when people presented their personal calling cards were extraordinaryâ€™. Andrea Terminel Lembert- Mexico, Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann, Master of Public Policy

valuable experience for me was working with and learning from Pablo, Bivishika, Nsuku, Francheska and Keith. They all come from different backgrounds and are experts in their respective fields. Bouncing ideas off each other and critiquing them was a great experience. I

â€œ

The Business Challenge was an amazing experience. I think the most

most certainly wish to start something of my own sometime in the close future when I am able advance to further in my field of research and study and I think the Business Challenge was the perfect foundation for this venture. Upamanyu Ghose - India, Oxford-Hoffmann, MSc Computer Science 21

eye-opening, experience which enabled me to look at my body language and expressions through the lens of the camera. Very different from conventional interview skills workshops, highlighting the importance of presentability and body language

â€œ

The presentation skills workshop was an interesting, somewhat

in professional as well as casual settings. I truly appreciated how personalised this was, still maintaining the group spirit and being able to share this experience with others in a small group. Malgorzata Slowinska - Poland, Oxford-Hoffmann, MSc Computer Science

SCHOLAR EXPERIENCE : IN THEIR OWN WORDS

When Presentation Becomes a Quest for Personal Truth: A Retreat at the Cumberland Lodge

Former WHT scholars always looked dreamy when telling us about the days at the Cumberland Lodge. “It’s really special”, they’d recall. When our bus drove through the bare trees of Windsor Great Park, on a sunny winter morning, we were quickly ushered into the lodge’s old Victorian library to find out why.

Julia Dias Carneiro - Brazil, Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann-Rausing/Abraham, MSc Latin American Studies

were. They embraced this opportunity to convey life lessons they had learned, or to nudge people into action. Cumberland was also about further developing our networking, writing and entrepreneurial skills. We learned useful tricks to engage in conversation at social events and establish valuable professional connections for the future. We were taught basic principles for writing clearly and effectively for the internet. And we had the opportunity to present the projects we developed in the WHT Enterprise Challenge projects to a panel of experts.

Interview and presentation skills were the first part of the programme. But to really get through to any public, we were encouraged to look deeper into ourselves. In order to connect, we had to get personal. We had to tell our stories. We had to convey our “personal truth”. It was the start of a journey where we laid bare aspects of our personalities and our aspirations, exposing each other to our colleagues, and even to ourselves.

Beyond the high-level training and discussion sessions, however, what made Cumberland so special was everything in between: the coffee breaks with panettone, biscuits and mince pies brought by Jane and Maggie; the unique experience of being in a park with a curfew from dusk until dawn – after all, we had to mind our royal neighbours; the cold walk led by Alexandra at 8am sharp to hill with the Copper Horse – so that we’d get a glimpse of the Windsor Palace before leaving the Great Park; the warm dinners followed by drinks at the bar, and energetic sessions of ping-pong and foosball and dancing in the basement; marvelling at the different styles of body moves and grooves gathered here from across geographies, in a group that unites such different cultures and world views.

We were divided into groups of five, and our first exercise was an imaginary job interview. If interviews with future employers are often quite intimidating, introducing ourselves for a dream job in front of fellow scholars wasn’t exactly easy – especially being filmed on camera and having to watch our performances back to scrutinise content, body language, and tone. But because we had built an environment of trust, it felt ok to expose ourselves. It was intimate and empowering. Watching what our colleagues were doing, their strengths and weaknesses, we were inspired to enhance our own performances. The next step was to develop a presentation. Being a journalist, I decided to speak of a pressing challenge faced in my profession today: the spread of fake news in the digital era. The simple techniques we learned to structure our ideas made me feel a lot more equipped for speaking in public. My instinct had been to conceive a fact-driven presentation. But I was amazed to see how creative and bold some of my colleagues

Cumberland was about developing valuable professional skills, but it was also about bonding, nurturing friendships and strengthening ties that will last far beyond Oxford. What a privilege and inspiration it is to be part of this group.

LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME

Creating Impact Through Enterprises For the past three years the Enterprise Challenge has provided extra tools and knowledge to empower each cohort to think outside their academic disciplines. By providing workshops, mentorship and business expertise, our scholars have been encouraged to work up their own business enterprise ideas to learn essential problem-solving skills and transferable business knowledge. The final 8 teams pitched their enterprises to our business panel at the Leadership Forum. We are proud to share the glimpses of the projects developed by this year’s cohort. Several teams have already committed to turning these ideas into reality and have registered their companies.

We are grateful for the support of: Our Enterprise Challenge mentors: Greg FitzGerald, Justin Gayner, Stephanie Gnissios, Matthew De La Hey, Eileen Modral, Atherton Mutombwera and Rosie O’Malley. Our final Business Panel: Ben Barnett, (TFG Brands London), Amanda Feldman, (Bethnal Green Ventures), Lauren Fletcher (Beta Earth), Precious Lunga, (Baobab Circle), Eileen Modral, (OION), Andrew Nott (IAPS), Jordan Schlipf (Rainmaking Venture Studio), Nadja Skaljic (IP Group), and for spending what turned out to be a very hot afternoon giving feedback on the projects. The WHT Alumni Fund instigated by the 2018 cohort and supporters including Justin Gayner and alumni from that year and previous ones gave generously so that the 2019 cohort could benefit as panellists at the Davos World Economic Forum. In turn, the 2019 cohort led by Alan Clarke raised £1500 to encourage the 2020 cohort to continue with their Enterprise projects. The Micro Seed Fund Ben and Alina Barnett kindly helped raise some prize funding for 2020 as well as £15,500 to add to the WHT Enterprise Seed Fund. The business panel very much hope that this would give impetus to the teams to try and develop their projects further. 24

Scholar Enterprises 2019-20 The Trust is committed to supporting these projects in the future where possible. THE ART MARKETPLACE A social hub that builds on unique collaborative partnerships and uses digital technologies to tell stories of the visual and crafts sector in Zimbabwe. The enterprise seeks to empower women and youth artists. The Best Social Impact Enterprise Prize, WHT 2020 Leadership Forum

SOLIS A digital coach in a mobile app that helps people to maximize the benefit of their existing light therapy devices. Solis is an intuitive app that integrates multimodal inputs to provide actionable steps on activities affecting your mood and mental health. The Most Scalable Business Prize, WHT 2020 Leadership Forum

GUARDED – SECURITY EDUCATION APP Mobile application that empowers individuals with cyber security knowledge. An interactive assistant that helps its users to identify security weaknesses on their devices. The Most Scalable Business Prize, WHT 2020 Leadership Forum

INSPĺRAME Inclusive Financial Products for Women in Mexico. Marketing useful and relevant financial products with gender perspective and promoting financial literacy in Mexico. The Best Social Impact Enterprise Prize, WHT 2020 Leadership Forum

130 MILLION GIRLS An interactive digital world map with information on 130 million girls across the world who are out of school. This project’s mission is to accelerate access to education for these girls across the world. The Best Social Impact Initiative, WHT 2020 Leadership Forum

CITIZEN HIMALAYA A news website that will focus on news from the Indian Himalayan Region. It's a citizen journalism initiative focused on local news pertaining to issues that are similar across the Indian Himalayas. I-GREEN – SUSTAINABLE MARKETPLACE A platform connecting consumers to locally produced sustainable products, helping people to find sustainable products in a manner that is easy, convenient, and offers low-emission and packaging-free alternatives for delivery. SHARE THE CARE A platform that bridges the gap between a high demand for elderly care service and oversupply of trained nurses in the context of Nepal.

‘I had never thought of myself as an entrepreneur or ever thought in a way where I could see capitalism benefitting those in my country. From the school of thought that I come from such businesses are always looked down upon as to be opportunistic, but I was pleasantly surprised at how useful the skill was and how noble some of the ideas we as a team managed to come up with were.’ Gurmehar Kaur - India, MSc Modern South Asian Studies, Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann/Rosner 25

SCHOLAR EXPERIENCES : IN THEIR OWN WORDS

The Journey of an Idea - Smart Light Therapy with Solis Minah Faiz Rashad- Maldives Oxford-Hoffmann MSc International Health & Tropical Medicine

Upamanyu Ghose- India Oxford-Hoffmann MSc Computer Science The Team

Challenge workshops had taught us the importance of finding the simplest sustainable solution to the problem being addressed without adding excessive features that would render the task of running the enterprise extremely challenging. We incorporated this learning into Solis and designed it to be a smartphone application that could track light therapy sessions using the phone’s sensors and provide actionable advice to the users that would help improve their mood and mental health. In its first iteration, we wanted the app to be compatible with a wide range of lamps, which introduced some complications. We pitched the idea at the All Innovate competition, got through to the semi-finals and unfortunately, were stopped there. It was clear that Solis required rethinking.

I remember having a conversation with Minah at Cumberland Lodge about an idea I had pitched at the Stanford Health++ Hackathon in 2018: monitoring vitals such as respiration and pulse using only a smartphone’s camera. This unknowingly led to the formation of the team behind Solis; a doctor with years of formal and informal experience in dealing with individuals struggling with mental health issues and a computer scientist with a deep interest in neuroscience and healthcare. We decided to work up an idea for Imperial College’s ‘Global Health Innovation Challenge’ and, looking at the past submissions to the challenge, we realised that there were none addressing mental health. We met frequently in the common rooms of Kellogg and St Anne’s College to find an idea that could address that gap. However, with the examinations taking precedence, the momentum of the team was significantly dampened. With a few weeks to go before the deadline of the Global Health Innovation Challenge, we decided to drop out.

The Final Stretch After the unsuccessful result of the All Innovate competition, we redirected our focus on the Enterprise Challenge. To make matters difficult, COVID19 sent the world into lockdown and thus began the phase of Zoom calls. With just about three months to go before the final pitch, we were fortunate to have Justin Gayner agree to mentor us through the final stretch. Through the virtual discussions with Justin, we realised the hidden complexities of attempting to make Solis device agnostic. To tackle the problem, we introduced the Solis box, a lightbox fit with the required sensors to track a light therapy session and the means to communicate with the Solis app and synchronise the tracking information. Occam’s razor came to the rescue. This cut out all the unnecessary complexity with the issue of compatibility. Solis, as it is known today, had finally taken shape. With the last few days left before the pitch, we modified our pitch deck and recorded our pitch over Zoom.

The Muse Around the same time, St Anne’s College had organised a talk on the importance of sleep by Dr. Russel Foster, professor of circadian neuroscience at Oxford. Although I had a general understanding of the importance of sleep and the biological mechanisms that govern it, the talk introduced me to the role of circadian rhythm in mental health and the concept of light therapy. I spent that night watching videos and reading about the efficacy of light therapy, the simple but effective biological mechanism behind it and the role of shifted circadian clocks in several depressive disorders. Having spent all my life in India, I had never realised the negative impact of the lack of sunlight on mental health and sleep due to a disrupted circadian rhythm. The talk had seeded a thought. The only remaining element was the motivation to transform this thought into Solis.

The final pitch of the Enterprise Challenge commenced. As the other scholars started presenting their enterprises, my WhatsApp chat with Minah started getting filled with nervous exchanges. Just before our turn, we pinned our videos on the Zoom call and an agreement was reached on a nod as the signal of confidence to answer a question. Our pitch video was played and the eight minutes of questioning was soon over. Alexandra announced the results and Solis was recognised as the enterprise with the most potential. My reaction: ‘What?’. Minah’s reaction: ‘Did she say Solis?’. We had successfully completed the final stretch of the Enterprise Challenge and Solis shone as bright as ever.

The Motivation Hilary Term brought with it this missing motivation in the form of ‘The Oxford All Innovate’ competition and a call for new ideas for the WHT Enterprise Challenge. Minah and I took this opportunity to rekindle our brainstorming sessions. Late at night on the 6th of February at the St Aldates G&Ds, we introduced Solis to the WHT Enterprise Challenge. A few days later we submitted Solis as our idea for the Oxford All Innovate competition. The Enterprise

SCHOLAR EXPERIENCES : IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Awakening The Entrepreneur Within Me

Małgorzata Słowińska - Poland, Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann, MSc Computer Science

My heart skipped a beat when I heard my name at the 2020 Polish Economic Forum in London. But there was no time for hesitation: I was quickly given a microphone and a clicker, one last look at my teammate Pablo, and we went on-stage. We were welcomed by an encouraging applause from the audience which filled the room at a conference attended by 750 people and followed by countless other through live streaming. While able only to see the front row, where the jury panel sat, and nothing but the blinding lights behind them, I started the pitch.

I wouldn’t have been able to stand on the Forum stage without WHT’s support. The scholarship programme pushed me out of my comfort zone to materialise this business idea and provided me with invaluable support by connecting me to previous scholars and experts in the start-up arena. In October, I had no idea what a business model canvas was or how to complete one. Now, a few months later, I have not only filled in numerous business model canvas sheets, but I am also building an MVP for a project that I manage, with a team of hugely talented peer scholars who share my vision. The Trust has not only arranged for us to have professional workshops on creative brainstorming, business model creation, financing and pitching. We have also had one-to-one tutorials with mentors as well as ad-hoc support from the challenge leaders and advisors whenever needed. I honestly couldn’t wish for a better support network, the support which enabled GuardED to inaugurate winning the third prize award in the prestigious Polish start-up competition. Hopefully, a first of the many future achievements of this project.

That day, I shared my vision of a world where individuals are empowered with cybersecurity knowledge, and my project to achieve this vision. GuardED is a project very close to my heart. I have been passionate about technology since a very young age and specialised in Cyber Security over the past four years. With experiences ranging from ethical hacking, to customer defence, and incident response, I understand the scale and severity of the problem of scarcity of security knowledge in society. But even in my bravest dreams, I have not imagined initiating this project so early, and at such tremendous scale.

Reflecting on my past year, the Weidenfeld and Hoffmann Trust enabled me to study at one of the most prestigious universities in the world and allowed me to meet an amazing cohort of inspiring individuals, people that I now have the honour to call my family. On top of it all, it equipped me with the necessary skills and gave me an extra nudge to awaken the entrepreneurial spirit within the highly technical computer scientist I was at the beginning of the programme. It is a package of experiences that I will be eternally grateful for.

While the pitch competition at the Polish Economic Forum was the first time the world met GuardED, I had had an opportunity to pitch my idea before. A few months earlier, at the WHT retreat at Cumberland Lodge, I pitched the same idea under a different name to the Enterprise Challenge panel. Little did I know how big of an impact this compulsory activity would have on my life and how it would push me towards more entrepreneurial conquests.

LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME

become an entrepreneur. Today, I can proudly say that I have not only registered a company this year

“

A year ago, I never would have thought that I could

but also won an award at The Polish Economic Forum. None of these would have been possible if it wasn’t for WHT.

Malgorzata Slowinska - Poland, Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann, MSc Computer Science

Photo of Małgorzata being interviewed at the Polish Economic Forum 2020, in London 28

LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME

Creating Community in times of Pandemic The Leadership Programme offers a community of support for scholars during their time at Oxford. Scholars attend termly, formal supervision meetings with WHT Director and WHT Academic Advisers. Collections are to review Scholars progress their future career plans and well-being. Informal opportunities for scholars to engage with WHT staff and their cohort include cultural excursions and ‘drop-in’ lunches, alumni teach-ins and get-togethers. This year under Covid-19 lockdown, WHT offered virtual support and specially devised sessions to help those scholars still in Oxford and those who had returned home, to cope with the stresses of scholarship under lockdown.

Drop-in Lunches and Catch-up calls “The WHT Scholarship is an amazing experience that adds a unique flavour to the Oxford experience. The WHT team organizes numerous meetings and get-togethers to meet influential contacts, friends from previous cohorts or just to catch-up with other scholars. Often these meetings revolve around food, as a drop-in lunch, snacks & supper or a dinner. It is a good opportunity to meet interesting people over food and find common interests and many times, get a break from the hectic Oxford schedule.” Bhanu Prasad Naga - India, MSc Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation, Oxford-Hoffmann Scholar

Resilience and Emotional Intelligence with Larisa Halilovic, Director of British Council in Sarajevo and Executive Coach "I really enjoyed how Larisa took a more personal and intimate approach to big themes. She engages participants individually so they can reflect on their own paths and values, and encourages everyone to share these thoughts, generating a very inspirational exchange within the group. prompting us to think of what we do not want, and thus freeing up space for us to think of what comes more naturally to us." Julia Dias Carneiro - Brazil, MSc Latin America Studies, Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholar 29

SCHOLAR EXPERIENCE : IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Lockdown Journal We Are not in the Same Boat

Minah Faiz Rashad- Maldives MSc International Health & Tropical Medicine

The world has seen over 4 million COVID-19 cases and close to 300,000 deaths related to the disease. Yet, some people are still saying that we are all in the same boat. We are not. We are going through an unprecedented time in our lives where each one of us is facing unique problems and our lived realities and needs differ from one another.

creeps in and I can only attempt to fathom the problems that people with mental health disorders or victims of domestic or child abuse face on a daily basis now, having to stay locked-in with their abuser. As I see and share the daily preventive messages advocating for proper hand washing pop up on social media, I can’t help but wonder how this would be feasible in refugee camps or communities that are fighting for clean water and sanitation.

The idea that we are all in the same boat reduces our inherent and acquired inequalities to a supposedly homogenous entity. This notion is a mere reflection of our ignorance to the inevitable tensions amongst those who are at a disadvantage and suffer a greater burden of the ongoing pandemic and the subsequent implications. The problem becomes more apparent when this mindset is translated into blanket policies on how people should be treated during this pandemic.

All these structural and social exclusions, shaped by privilege and oppression, are insidious and not limited to COVID-19. It is a status quo that has been built over decades by historical forces, social construction, societal structure, and human relationships. If anything, this pandemic has brought all these issues to the forefront. The dual importance of recognizing our own privilege and strengthening our empathy is the first step to help address those who are more vulnerable to the circumstances. When the virus does not discriminate why should we?

None of us imagined that we would be spending the rest of our days in Oxford like this. It feels like my journey ended abruptly, robbing me of a once in a lifetime experience, at no one’s fault. Yet, I feel guilty to mourn this given that others across the world are in more dire circumstances.

I fail to resonate with the assumption that everyone should react the same way to the pandemic. It’s okay not to be productive. It’s okay to take your time to adjust. It’s okay if your daily routines are disrupted. It’s okay to be overwhelmed with all the information and alarming statistics. It’s okay to be stressed about the uncertainties. It’s okay to not receive the same fulfilment from your digital conversations. It’s okay to be sad about your own problems, even if it is something minor and feels insignificant compared to what’s going on around you. It’s also okay if you are feeling the opposite too.

As I go out for my daily government-permitted run, enjoying the fresh air and the beauty Oxford spring has to offer, I can’t help but think of my family and friends back home in the Maldives who can’t afford to have the same freedom as they live in high-density spaces, where social-distancing guidelines are more difficult to implement. As I try to be productive and study adjusting to the new digital way of life, I can’t help but notice my stethoscope hanging on the wall collecting dust. My friends and colleagues in the medical field and other frontline workers are risking their lives while I am here trying to reach the word limit for my essays. The feeling of helplessness paired with a desire to help is a daily struggle that I am learning to cope with.

It’s okay to feel happy to have your loved ones around you. It’s okay to catch up on the piled-up readings. It’s okay to pick up a new skill or learn a new language. It’s okay to Instagram your new workout routine or get on the latest challenge. It’s okay to find opportunity for entrepreneurship. It’s imperative to give yourself due credit, take time to find your bearings, and appreciate that we all have different means of coping with adversity. The important thing here is to be respectful so that it does not infringe on the right of another. Our solidarity does not emerge from being in the same boat, but from recognizing and being considerate to the fact that we are facing the same storm. And, the best way to navigate through this storm is to acknowledge that we are all in different boats hoping to survive.

As I cook the next Instagram inspired dish to break my fast in this auspicious month of Ramadan, I am reminded of the migrant workers in Maldives who can’t afford to buy groceries or even one meal. This pandemic is affecting them disproportionately. A lot of their jobs are now unneeded and, as a result, their families back home who depend on them are also left to struggle. As I walk down the empty streets of Oxford appreciating the architectural marvels it holds, the eeriness slowly

SCHOLAR EXPERIENCE : IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Lockdown Journals Reflections:

Reflections from India ‘Since the lectures and assessments for Hilary term ended, I’ve used my spare time for introspection on my personal and professional paths. I have come to appreciate more the freedom of movement and the choices that the pandemic has now limited.' Naman Ahluwalia - India, MBA, Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann-Saïd/Barnett

A Time to Read... 'While the brave new world of a digital term holds its promise, there is something about sitting in one of the oldest libraries in Europe, surrounded by new and ancient texts and the brightest minds in the world, that I miss dearly. If anything, being confined to my room as both a recreational, study and meditation space has allowed me to reflect fondly on the places in this strange town that I miss, especially the many reading rooms.’

...Building community in a time of isolation Out of desire for escapism of sort from the hard reality of the solitary life under lockdown, I started Not @ The Pub Quiz. A virtual pub quiz, as a way of checking in on friends and creating a space where we could gather to laugh, cry, smile and be in community. So then, every Tuesday at 20:00 we logged onto Zoom, congregated and pitted our general knowledge, a true escapism. Usuta Kavari - Namibia, MPP, Weidenfeld-Hoffmann/Chevening-Lewis- who remained in the UK

‘During this lockdown I found small acts of kindness and friendship that gave me strength to keep going, and many of them involved the cohort. To name only one, I would have never made it through the exams if Shabana did not invite me to study with her. Every day for two weeks we had a 2-hour call and discussed philosophy and politics. And now I know that one of the persons who understands me most in the world is this woman from Afghanistan, who I would never have met if I did not get this scholarship.’ Pablo Marzocca- Argentina, Oxford-Hoffmann, MPP

George Weidenfeld believed that bringing people together over a meal was an essential part of life and he would search out coffee shops to remind himself of his early life in Vienna. The Lockdown Cookbook created by the latest cohort of Weidenfeld-Hoffmann scholars is a collection of recipes and memories of home, feelgood comfort food put together under quarantine. 31

Our scholars were reluctant to go out during lockdownâ€Ś so we asked them to send through Instagram photos of spring as they saw it on the May Bank Holiday weekend.

SCHOLAR EXPERIENCE : IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Lockdown Action Covid-19 Responses:

BSG Government Response Tracker COVID-19 'Since March, I have been volunteering with the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT), the first ever tool to track and compare policy responses of governments tackling the coronavirus outbreak around the world. Volunteering with the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker has given me a chance to make a small but important contribution to the global fight against the pandemic. I am proud to contribute to such an important initiative, as the data we collect for the Government Tracker are being used and referred to by the political, business and civil society leaders around the world.' Oksana Matiyash - Ukraine, MPP, Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann

Seeds of Resilience Against a Global Pandemic ‘I had an opportunity to be involved in a time-critical initiative during the initial days of the Covid pandemic in Maharashtra an initiative of TCS Foundation in the Tata Group. In mid-March, the role of contact tracing and monitoring of patients in quarantine was gaining momentum. In partnership and under the mentorship of experts from the government, TCS, MIT Media Labs, Google, Oracle, Microsoft we built multiple solutions to track symptoms and risk profiles of citizens, digital contact tracing of at-risk or primary contacts and track those who are in home quarantine. We observed that districts and departments that adopted such systems were in better control of the situation. Over the next few months, hundreds of thousands of citizens completed self-assessments, the administration was able to track thousands of at-risk citizens and provide them with timely advice and help. As this pandemic has shown, large complex problems require the support and collaboration of citizens, government, innovators and industry. By working together, we can address these challenges for the long-run.’ Bhanu Prasad Mellachervu Naga - India, MSc Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation, Oxford-Hoffmann Simon was one of the first Scholars to return to his home country going back to China a few days before UK lockdown. He kept in touch while completing his studies online and working on a cause close to his heart. He wrote: ‘Feel so warm to hear the great and kind words from the WHT family. This means a lot. This also encourages me that at this particularly difficult time how we as a family can be connected together no matter where we are. The WHT experience brings us both power and comfort in this weird and challenging period of time in Oxford.’

Civil activism on the Chinese Internet for peer mutual supporting and counselling on COVID-19 and LGBTQ issues 'This work is about studying the online social activism during the Covid-19 pandemic on the Chinese Internet. It touches upon two bases. First, the networked resistance to the hegemonic social norms. Second, the volunteering collective actions to fulfil the citizens’ duties in the form of online activism' Simon Junyi Zhang - China, MSc Social Science of the Internet, Oxford-Hoffmann/Rosner 33

LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME

Pro Bono Projects WHT encourage scholars to undertake a public service project of their choice in Oxford or their home country. Despite lockdown our scholars came up with innovative digital ways to make a difference including work in response to Covid-19, to the Black Lives Matter movement and podcasts giving voice to women’s experiences of different forms of oppression and conflict in a variety of South Asian contexts and Ideas of Home in a time of Coronavirus and produced business plans for a future Education Village in Liberia.

Listen, Learn, Lead The most recent cases of police brutality against black people highlighted the problem of systemic racism that permeates every aspect of our society—from our educational systems, to our business policies, to the way we interact with others in our communities. When these topics became the center of media and politics around the world at the end of May, it was clear to me that business school students needed to be a part of that conversation. Forming and organizing communities of allies and supporters is key to achieving sustainable change, especially around something like the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement that would require people to do anti-racist work internationally, across sectors, and social groups. MBA students are uniquely positioned to lead this kind of change, so I created a BLM Allies group for our class, and with the help of other classmates organized a three-part series of conversations titled Listen, Learn, Lead. The goal of the sessions was to listen to the lived experiences with racism of our classmates, to learn some of the important context and definitions around this topic, and lastly to discuss institutional leadership and responsibility when it comes to anti-racism. The last session involved members of our faculty, staff, guest speakers, alumni, current and incoming MBA students, and the goal was to come up with a concrete list of recommendations for the Business School to respond more effectively to issues of systemic racism. Francheska Loza Sanclemente - Mexico, MBA, Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann/Saïd Scholar

Liberia Education Village Education Village originally envisaged providing infrastructure for this project which would create unique integrated learning institutions with a strong focus on developing ethical leaders and creating jobs but was stalled due to Covid-19 so focus shifted to preparing Business Plans. Andrea Gaviria Barreto - Colombia, MBA, Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann-Saïd/Sackler Scholar

Spreading The Gift of Zimbabwean Literature 'We wouldn’t have had the privilege of seeing the world, if it wasn’t for the way books made us fearless.' Keith and his friend Geraldine launched a book drive to buy books with a local publisher for high schools in and around their hometown.

LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME

Putting Leadership into Action We provide as many opportunities as possible and encourage the scholars to test the skills and knowledge learnt. The WHT Annual Debate 2020, Chaired by WHT Advisory Board member Sir Trevor McDonald, was: 'This House believes that gender should be abolished' it was very controversial and the two teams had thought through their arguments carefully with the large audience voting against the proposition. Similarly topical the theme chosen by scholar panelists for the WHT National Satellite Battle of Ideas was 'The rise of Toxic Politics - can we be civil?' which drew lively debate. Scholars and alumni were invited to attend the prestigious Ditchley Conference (Arlette Nyembo, Alan Clarke and Aileen Brown-Cuevas) and were delegates at other external fora including Tania Risco who attended COP25 with indigenous People Representative for Peru. 35

SCHOLAR EXPERIENCE : IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Debating Can Bridge the Divisions Among Us

Pablo Marzocca- Argentina Master of Public Policy (MPP) Oxford-Hoffmann

What makes a debate a success? Is it the public engaging in the topic, or taking strong positions? Is it people changing sides in light of the arguments presented? These are undoubtedly relevant aspects, but in my personal experience, the process of debating, the practice of it, is where the real success lies. Debating is a significant aspect of college life in many countries; the Oxford Union is one of the most famous debate chambers in the World. But in Argentina, where I lived, studied and worked before coming here, it is nearly non-existent. That is part of the reason why I volunteered to be one of the speakers: if I did not try debating now, I would most likely never get another chance. The topic we chose was difficult (This house believes that gender should be abolished). At first we were excited: it was provocative, appealing to many current discussions and issues, and it allowed for interesting arguments to be presented from both sides. However, it was also challenging to define precisely and to narrow down to a concrete proposition. A good definition of the topic, we knew, was crucial to have a good debate. And working together on it made us closer as a cohort and as friends. Since our first Leadership Programme activity, the Moral Philosophy Seminar, it was clear to me that discussing complicated topics, hearing others’ opinions and positions and trying to understand where they come from was an essential element of building real bonds.

During this process, I came to realise that the success of a debate cannot be measured just by looking at its outcome, or at how the public engaged. Those are important factors, tied to the defence or questioning of the proposition and the arguments presented. But for me, the success of the debate was related to how we engaged with each other, how we tackled the fact that both teams wanted to win, but at the same time have an open and fair confrontation of positions. The importance of this cannot be overstated, especially when we look at the world around us right now. We would benefit from having a more serious and respectful discussion about the difficult topics that divide us. And we should start by accepting that if some issue is effectively generating a divide in society, hearing both sides respectfully may be a good start. The key to debating is in listening as much as it is in speaking. And, finally, debating is hard. There is an art to it, with people who have been honing their skills since high school. Not doing it in your first language is even harder. And doing it in front of more than a hundred people, on a complicated topic, explains why we were nervous about it. However, looking back, standing up and choosing to do it was one of the best decisions I made since I arrived in Oxford. Now I know some fantastic people even better, and I learnt the value of always striving to have meaningful conversations, no matter how hard they are.

SCHOLAR EXPERIENCE : IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Observing COP25 Chile Madrid, Where Climate Change Policies Are Wrangled Tania Risco Ruiz- Peru MSc Environmental Change and Management St Peter's College Louis Dreyfus-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann

The annual Conference of the Parties (COP) is the event where states members of the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) gather to discuss and decide the most rigorous mechanisms and actions to tackle climate change. This conference is a high-level event where representatives from governments, NGO's, and climate leaders gather to deliberate actions such as the implementation of carbon market mechanisms. However, the structure of an event like COP is complex and demands an understanding of its structure and functioning. The COP25 Chile Madrid took place between the 2nd and 13th December 2019. It had an ambitious programme, with attempts to get consensus on several key issues, including setting the Paris Agreement rulebook for mechanisms and, particularly, the controversial Art. 6 on Carbon Markets. In this context, and as a student of the MSc in Environmental Change and Management, I knew that was a unique opportunity to learn about international relations, diplomacy, public and private policies from all around the world. During the first week, I attended as an observer of the University of Oxford, with a badge which provides entry in side-events of research centres, organizations, governments, and some, but not all, negotiations between the parties (nation delegates). I supported Professor Myles Allen and presented data that show crucial factors affecting the prospects of temperatures remaining below 1.5°C scenario. Between discussions, there is space to talk and discuss ideas with attendees. Most of them shared some of my deepest concerns: how can we foster a transformative change of our global economy without risking the livelihoods of millions of people in developing countries? If we need to act faster and stronger, how and why are we spending so much time pushing against a global agreement for sustainable development?   The second week was different. I joined the team of AIDESEP, the most important indigenous peoples' organization from Peru, my home country. I helped indigenous leaders in their quest to bring to light

the impact of climate change in their daily lives and the effects of extractive and infrastructural projects on the fragile ecological and social systems of the Amazonian water basins.  Days went by, and the energy was running low. Party delegates, NGO's leaders, negotiators, press, corporations and companies’ representatives, were running across the venue. I got in touch with my country’s representatives. They were under a lot of pressure and had tight schedules, but I managed to have a brief chat with the Ministry of Environment from Peru. She said one thing that impressed me: "We need to give a human face to climate action". Her words were an example of what is missing in the political debate about the climate crisis; the shared acknowledgement that human lives are at stake. Her inspiring words resonated the kind of work I want to push forward after Oxford: the sustainable and socially equitable development of Peru. At the end of COP25 Chile Madrid, we were all left with the feeling that it failed its main purpose: to put into action the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage and the regulation of Carbon Markets, among other aspects such as human rights. Regardless the outcomes, I am still hopeful. The current global pandemic of COVID-19 is showing that we need socially disruptive actions for transformative adaptation processes, based on international collaboration and solidarity. The climate crisis demands unprecedented efforts, and it's in our hands to fight for equitable, just and sustainable economic models considering the planetary boundaries, while improving living conditions of people across the globe.

“

I managed to have a brief chat with the Ministry of Environment from Peru. She said one thing that impressed me: "We need to give a human face to climate action". Her words were an example of what is missing in the political debate about the climate crisis; the shared acknowledgement that human lives are at stake. Her inspiring words resonated the kind of work I want to push forward after Oxford: the sustainable and socially equitable development of Peru."    Tania Risco - Peru, Louis Dreyfus-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann, MSc Environmental Change and Management

SCHOLAR EXPERIENCE : IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Two Ditchley Conferences The Ditchley Conferences offer space and time for deep reflection, sharing ideas and making new connections across divides in an inspiring location. In addition to offering Scholars the opportunity to engage in high-level discussions and to hone their skills as rapporteurs, Ditchley Conferences offer unparalleled networking opportunities.

Arlette Nyembo - DRC MSc Global Governance and Diplomacy Weidenfeld and Hoffmann-Rausing/Abraham

Aileen Brown Cuevas - Mexico, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann-Barnett

Security in Africa in a changing world

The New Economic Insecurity The prestigious Ditchley conference, to which I was cordially invited, was completely different this year. It was originally scheduled to take place over two days in a beautiful, historical palace with 40 business leaders, senior policymakers, and tech industry figures. For the first time in its rich history, the conference was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The topic of discussion—economic insecurity—is now more important than ever. In a sign of brilliant leadership, the Ditchley Foundation has made incredible efforts to keep the conversation going and make us feel like a part of this great community. The conference, though virtual, certainly kept ideas flowing and brought people together to discuss solutions. I found both fascinating and exciting the opportunity to voice some of the solutions for economic insecurity and job protection in emerging market countries. We discussed fundamental assumptions on what the experiences of the pandemic might be for different groups in our society, even shared some real-life examples of students looking for a job and women in abusive relationships. The conversation was so productive that participants continued to be in touch to create projects that enact these solutions.

The conference was a great opportunity to hear first-hand accounts of the difficulties faced by African leaders in ensuring the security of their states. We listened to experts and leading authors discuss the political, social, and economic issues that affect security in Africa and met like-minded youths from Africa who are passionate about the continent committed to its development. It is imperative to recognise that only African nations through the governance of their leaders and a real democracy followed by the rule of law can improve the region’s security and guarantee a decent life for the continent’s populations. Ownership of projects is key for solving the most pressing issues. The international community through their ODA should take the back seat and avoid being the driver. ‘The Ditchley experience has helped me to meet some inspirational figures that I have followed online since a young age such as the former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo and the former under-secretary general of the United Nations, JeanMarie Guéheno and Mr Vasu Gounden, the founder and executive director of Accord, who has played an important role in peace negotiations in the DRC.'

Annual Leadership Forum Building resilient networks to tackle a changing world

The Leadership Forum is the final capstone of the academic year, meant for scholars, alumni, staff, donors, and partners to come together for a last series of workshops and networking events. This year, the COVID19 pandemic forced us to be imaginative and find new ways of coming together. What was initially a temporary solution to external circumstances has revealed itself to be an exciting new way to bring together our geographically distant alumni.

The Leadership Forum in Numbers

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31 Scholars zooming in from 7 countries

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20 Alumni participating from over 10 countries

•

8 Projects pitched for the Enterprise Challenge and 9 judges

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£15500 raised for the Enterprise Seed Fund

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£4500 awarded to the winners of the Enterprise Challenge

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5 winners of the Enterprise Challenge

•

4 scholar awards given by fellow scholars

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3 alumni panels to discuss human rights, sustainability and innovation

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2 Days of activities, reflections, laughter and emotion

Key Conversations Over the two days of the Forum, WHT scholars had an opportunity to engage with two major issues afflicting the world, the Covid-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter protests which started in U.S.A. and have also spread throughout the World. To answer these questions, we had André Hoffmann, WHT Trustee and Vice Chairman of Roche, a pharmaceutical company involved in the research to fight the virus, and Jon Sopel, the Washington-based North America editor for the BBC. Both highlighted the systemic nature of both issues, which relate to growing inequalities and point to a crisis in our relationship with the environment and with information.

A Partnership with Nature Q&A with André Hoffmann

Speaking Truth to Power Q&A with Jon Sopel,

North America Editor for the BBC

ON INEQUALITY/NATURE “It’s not good enough to say ‘We do no harm’; we need to repair, we need to be active, we need to be positive contributors because the status quo needs to change. We will not have sustainable businesses, if we do not reduce inequalities....We are neglecting nature, the life support system on Earth. We need to promote nature-based solutions...not as a rejection of technological development, but in partnership” ON THE ROLE OF JOURNALISTS “There is a rising wave of populism that worries me...to give people information they can trust is essential and more important now than ever. There is a tendency to retreat into echo chambers that reinforce our beliefs. Our job is the same as it has always been: to speak truth to power and to hold people to account.”

'Excellent, phenomenal, practical, inspiring, stimulating...all sorts of good. It was really useful to be able to engage all the different stakeholders involved in the WHT ecosystem -- board, alumni, fellow students, staff and other supporters of WHT. It's a reminder that as an ecosystem, WHT is a real force for change in different corners of this world. This panel was extremely useful and stimulating. I have unlocked various connections through the conversations.’ Yeukai Mudzi - Zimbabwe Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann-Saïd/Robin Hambro- MBA

What to do with anger - Moral Philosophy Seminar with Nik Kirby

â€œ

The last Moral Philosophy session of the year was one of the most compelling discussions we have had throughout the Programme. We were made to reflect on the role of anger in politics, especially insightful in the context of the Black Lives Matter and the Rhodes Must Fall protests.

We discussed how anger seems to have earned a bad reputation - of being categorised as 'disruptive' - and the need to question those who label being disruptive to entrenched power structures as undesirable. Only those who don't directly face injustice have the luxury to detach from it and discuss it nonchalantly. Anger, which

â€œ

is not to be confused with bitterness, like Nsuku pointed out, is a tool that oppressed people use to challenge their dehumanisation and the status quo. It is a chance to look, learn, and work together towards addressing inequality. Kavya Chowdhry - India Oxford-Hoffmann MSc Nature Society and Environmental Governance

Alumni Mentoring & Career Advice The Lockdown Leadership Forum provided an opportunity for our globally dispersed alumni to share challenges in their sectors and tips for professional success.

Human Rights Sustainability Technology/Innovation

"The alumni panel was not only an excellent opportunity to connect with graduating scholars, but to also meet fellow alumni and learn about their own exciting journeys. I was equally inspired by the panelists and learned a great deal of value, as if I were a rising graduate." Karel Chromy, MPhil Development Studies, Weidenfeld - 2010

WHT Year in Pictures

The 2020 Cohort takes in their new surroundings

Alumna Shiri Avni speaks at Centenary celebrations for Lord Weidenfeld in Jerusalem

Introductory tour of Oxford

Robin Hambro Moral Philosophy residential: WHT Academic Adviser Dr Nik Kirby with seminar group Fraternity

…seminar group Equality…

...moderator and Academic Codirector, Prof Jeremy Jennings with group Liberty...

...Meron takes on the 1st Enterprise Challenge...

...Bhanu and alumna June Samo speaking at one of the introductory dinners

Scholars having a break at University Parks

Oxford-Weidenfeld and HoffmannRausing/Abraham Scholars

Oxford-Weidenfeld and HoffmannSaïd/Barnett Scholars

Weidenfeld-Hoffmann/CheveningLewis Scholars

Oxford-Hoffmann and Annenberg Scholars

14 Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann Scholars and 10 Oxford-Hoffmann Scholars supported this year

Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann-Rosner Scholars

doubt, WHT unleashed the person I was always meant to be; a fearless, ethical, grounded and knowledgeable leader who is ready to make meaningful impact within the water and environmental

“

‘I came to Oxford crippled with fear and self-

sector. WHT was an experience of a lifetime; fun and educational and an experience that will always be dear to my heart.'

Mantaoleng Sarah Motsatse - Lesotho, Oxford-Hoffmann and Annenberg, MSc Water Science, Policy and Management

WHT moves into 23 Park End St.

Welcome visits from alums Karel Chromy (2010) UNHCR in Beirut...

... and Idris Bello (2012), Afropreneur

Scholars in London participating in international forum on the big issues...

…. and host the follow up satellite panel in Oxford

Oksana at Global Justice Moral Philosophy seminar

Annual tour of the Houses of Parliament...

…and a chance to skate at Somerset House

Blavatnik Practical Skills: Scholars analyse each other’s video performances…

…wintery walks in Windsor Great Park…

…first Enterprise Challenge pitch to Business panel at Cumberland Lodge…

…early morning walk to the Copper Horse above Windsor Castle

Christmas at Combe: Jon Snow joins scholars and friends for lunch at Alexandra’s house…

...with Daisy across the downs...

...festive lunch for scholars, family and friends…

…Kavya and Martina enjoying Christmas festivities...

…celebrations end with fireworks over Combe

Tellus Mater Sustainability Studies: Professor Ruth DeFries Early Careers Day for scholars in Cambridge…

WHT Scholars’ Debate: WHT welcomes alums Cvete …and celebratory tea and Sir Trevor McDonald, Koneska (2011) Central and cake for Sizwe Mpofu chairman with Minah, one Southeast Europe Analyst to Walsh (2017) for passing of the debaters new office... his doctorate viva

WHT Lockdown: Scholars continue the Enterprise challenge with Finance session from Prof Thomas Hellmann…

...Dr Nik Kirby chairs final Moral Philosophy session ‘Anger’

…scholars take Spring …and enjoy a special Instagram photos… WHT treat

...scholars enjoy a socially distant picnic in the Parks at the end of the Leadership Forum... 46

… Alexandra with alums Simonetta Spavieri and Francisco Obando in Cambridge for Tellus Mater event

Alum Cedric Maforimbo (2019) talks about his Louis Dreyfus Foundation internship during visit by Robert Serpollet

Leadership Forum: lockdown style

…and a parting gift from WHT

ALUMNI IMPACT

Alumni Growing Impact Living the Leadership Programme values – Making a Visible Difference across the Globe 250 alumni from 74 countries have benefited from the Leadership Programme to tackle major problems in their countries and regions of origin or from within multilateral organisations. From defending human rights, to creating practical solutions or policies to meet global goals our alumni are taking the lead in making an ethical and sustainable impact on the world.

Alumni giving back... I am pleased to have the opportunity to advocate on behalf of scholars and alumni via a seat at the WHT Advisory Board. Since my time at Oxford the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme has transformed into a formidable force. It is recognized for its excellence and outstanding contribution across the University (and beyond). We owe a debt of gratitude to the WHT team - all our donors and supporters - who continue to work hard to provide opportunities for scholars and alumni alike. The Programme is now in its 13th year. The moment seems right to move forward also by building a robust and lasting WHT Alumni Network. After many consultations, we are in the process of putting together an Alumni Strategic Engagement Plan, which we hope to share with the wider WHT community in due course. Your feedback and help in implementing it will be appreciated. Becoming active in the WHT Alumni Network will be a way to give back to WHT and Oxford University and to reconnect with fellow alumni. Engaging will be easy and will provide ample opportunities to network over shared work and community interests. We want to amplify our values and leadership by working even closer together. Many thanks to our alumni volunteers who are already active by providing career guidance and mentorship. I look forward to engaging with many more of you soon! Nadja Skaljic, WHT Advisory Board (alumni representative) Roland Berger Scholar, Magister Juris, 2014 Nadja is currently General Counsel at IP Group, an international trading and technology development firm in Geneva, Switzerland.

Alumni Fundraising The class of 2018/19 raised £1500 to support start-ups in the WHT network Alan Clarke, (SA, MBA, 2019) says, “We hope that it leads to the establishment of a Seed Fund to provide ongoing support to ventures in the WHT network. We collectively realise the importance of the Enterprise Challenge and the need to encourage scholars and alumni to have an entrepreneurial view to solving the world’s problems. We hope that this contribution will be the first of many to the Seed Fund and that it becomes a way for alumni to give back to WHT while supporting start-ups in the network.” 47

ALUMNI IMPACT

Alumni Network Alumni continue to work in partnership with the Trust, accessing opportunities and reinvesting in the Leadership and Alumni Programmes as well as staying in touch with each other to strengthen the bonds of ethical leadership, mutualism and cross-cultural cooperation across the globe.

WHT Alumni Survey 2020 50% of our alumni say they stay in touch with fellow alumni. The majority of alums would like to connect more and Regional Social Events and Year Celebrations are at the top of their list. How can alumni give back?

Good Governance

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73% would mentor

Education

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46 % would give to Seed Fund

Sustainability Entrepreneurship & Innovation Law & Human Rights Health Global Professional Arenas of our Alumni

Over 80% of the 3 most recent cohorts currently work to benefit emerging economies, in national or multilateral organisations at the forefront of the fight against poverty, climate change and biodiversity loss, or leading social, transformative, and empowering enterprises.

Staying in touch - a WHT Family Catch-up Call A natural reaction to the pandemic has been to check in with friends- the 2019 WHT cohort took this several steps further, with a zoom chat and then made a WHT News pulled together by Kapil Yadav as he explains: It was around mid-March when the normalcy of daily life was starting to slip away, the panic was brewing, and Zoom was beginning to take over in our lives. Kyore had floated the idea of a zoom catch up call in our WHT group. We heard from Francisco and Grace (our public health experts) about the seriousness of the situation. It was lovely to hear from everyone how they were settling into new jobs or figuring out higher studies, adapting back in home countries but most interestingly how bad the toilet paper situation really was! Some of us also shared the uncertainty and signs of trouble that COVID had brought in our lives. WHT Newsletter I personally value human connections the most in my life and cherish what WHT family means to me. The small attempt at tying some pieces of our lives in a newsletter brought a sense of meaning and I look forward to repeating it again.  I received such beautiful (often funny) messages and pictures from everyone. We got to know where everyone is, what they are up to and what memories of the Oxford year are missed the most by each one of us. On top of that, we also shared lockdown recommendations for movies, cooking, music and books. Kapil Yadav, India, MSc Environmental Change and Management, 2019 48

ALUMNI IMPACT

Alumni impact: publications, awards & appointments… Rhett B. Larson, (MSc Water Science, Policy and Management, 2011)

Just Add Water Solving the World's Problems Using its Most Precious Resource Rhett’s accessible exploration of how the lack of access to clean water exacerbates many of the world's worst problems using real-world examples and concrete policy proposals. Rhett is Richard Morrison Professor of Water Law at Arizona State University.

Simukai Chigudu (Zimbabwe, DPhil International Development, 2017)

The Political Life of an Epidemic Simukai’s book traces the historical origins of the Cholera outbreak, examining the social pattern of its unfolding and impact, and the responses to the disease and its aftermath. Simukai is currently Associate Professor of African Politics at the University of Oxford, and Fellow of St Antony’s College.

Manisha Nair, (DPhil Public Health, 2013) was made Associate Professor at Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford. She was also awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Innovation Award for high-quality research-led innovation for her work on Maternal and Perinatal Health Research collaboration in India. Kubo Mačák, (DPhil Law, 2013), Associate Professor of International law at Exeter University seconded to the Legal Division at the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva to work on the international law of cyber operations joining the team to write the new Commentaries to the Geneva Conventions.

ALUMNI IMPACT

Enterprise Challenge Impact Some of our alumni developed their business ideas after Oxford

“We ran a crowdfunding campaign and met our goal within 14 days!! This means we can tell more stories from the region and reconnect more survivors than we had originally thought we could. This would not have been possible without the faith the WHT put in me, and everything that I learned at Oxford.”

Project Dastaan Reconnects survivors of Partition using VR and film with their ancestral homes and communities. Their project Child of Empire, will be shown at this year’s Venice Film Festival.

Saadia Gardezi - Pakistan, Modern South Asian Studies, MPhil (2019)

Weed2Pesticide A University of Oxford-endorsed social enterprise to turn an invasive weed into an organic, commercial bio-pesticide. His company has finished succesful testing and is looking to scale up.

Cedric Maforimbo - Zimbabwe, MSc in Economics for Development (2014) DocLink DocLink connects patients with their own doctors through a messaging platform. ‘DocLink was conceived and developed during the course of my year at Oxford. The mentorship provided by our business advisors was priceless. We prototyped the app, piloted it in a clinic and have now launched it commercially. Later this year, we will raise a seed round for our venture.’

Mohsin Mustafa - Pakistan, MBA, 2019 50

ALUMNI IMPACT

Africa Alumni in Focus Onthathile Serehete - Botswana, International Health & Tropical Medicine (MSc), 2017 What are you doing now? I chose to go back to clinical medicine and serve in a rural hospital in North West Province, South Africa. I worked mainly in HIV/AIDS care seeing a mostly young and either infected or affected population with limited access to very basic health resources. One of the greatest accomplishments was setting up an adolescent support group in our HIV clinic which helped in improving adherence to treatment. Currently I work in Mamelodi township as a Clinical research physician for a global research site organisation. This has been a great opportunity for me to not only continue working in HIV/AIDS of which I am passionate about but work in an environment that allows me to continually learn while lending a hand in finding solutions for current medical conditions and diseases. How has the scholarship and leadership programme benefited/impacted your career? WHT programme has meant a better me, it gave me the real-life skills that I did not know I needed, something not even an Oxford classroom could have taught me. It is thanks to the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust that a young Botswana girl like me can make it to the top university in the world and learn skills she can use to help make a small difference in making health advances in Africa. What most excites you about Africa at the moment? I love Africa, it has great innovative potential because the challenges force you to come up with quite creative solutions and our generation needs to hone this advantage and create new opportunities to take Africa to new technological, industrial, and health heights.

Christopher Mathew - South Africa, Master of Business Administration (MBA), 2017 What are you doing now? I returned home to join a South African hospital group as the Clinical Lead for their digitisation project. We are in the process of creating the first fully digitised hospital in Africa. After months of hard work, 100-hour weeks and sleepdeprived days and nights, we began our pilot in September in our first hospital in Johannesburg. Itâ€™s going brilliantly, and we can already proudly say that we have changed healthcare in South Africa forever. How has the scholarship and leadership programme benefited/impacted your career to date? It has helped me inspire countless others to pursue a dream of further education at Oxford.

ALUMNI IMPACT

Samafilan Ainan - Somalia/Tanzania, Global Health Science (MSc), 2014 What are you doing now? I worked in the humanitarian field focusing on the health sector. I initially worked in Liberia, West Africa during the 2014 Ebola outbreak and thereafter in Turkey on the Syrian conflict. I then went into Paediatric residency training and recently completed my training and I am now a specialist Paediatrician in Tanzania. How has the scholarship and leadership programme benefited/impacted your career to date? It has made an immeasurable impact on my career to date. I gained a masters that propelled me into the Global Health field and opened the door to numerous opportunities.

Ida Githu - Kenya, Water Science, Policy and Management (MSc), 2015 What are you doing now? I joined EED Advisory Ltd as a WASH Specialist and I now hold the position of Senior Manager. EED is a Pan-African consulting company offering technical, analytical and advisory services in water, energy and climate change based in Nairobi, Kenya. How has the scholarship and leadership programme benefited/impacted your career to date and what does the programme as a whole mean to you? Pursuing my studies at Oxford would most likely have been impossible without this scholarship and as such, it helped set a foundation for my career within the water sector. What most excites you about Africa at the moment? The youth of Africa. This is a group that has embraced technology, is very innovative and has an eagerness to change Africaâ€™s narrative for the better.

Joseph Ssentongo - Uganda, Master of Public Policy (MPP), 2016 What are you doing now? I joined the Global Innovation Fund (GIF), a $200 million non-profit fund that invests in innovations helping people living on less than $5 a day in low- and middle-income countries. At GIF I am a Senior Director within the investment team in London where I bring analytics perspectives on themes of vital relevance to Africa including rural livelihoods, urban poverty, and health. I help GIF make evidence-informed investments by challenging the underpinning development theories and measuring the social impact of our portfolio. How has the scholarship and leadership programme benefited/impacted your career to date? The WHT programme equipped me with a vital leadership toolkit. The pre-eminent intellectual and leadership programme offered me lifelong leanings that help me continuously grow professionally. Furthermore, the opportunities for mentorship as well as interactions with past and present scholars form an essential support network of global leaders that I am proud to be a part of. What most excites you about Africa at the moment? The most exciting thing about Africa is the vibrancy of its youth and renewed ambition to chart its own course! 52

We are grateful to the following for their support for the work of the Trust Trustees

Ms Stephanie Gnissios

Mr Michael Lewis (Chairman)

Ms Eileen Modral Mr Atherton Mutombwera

Dr Alina Barnett

Mr Andrew Nott

Mr André Hoffmann

Ms Rosie O’Malley

Advisory Board Members Mr Eric Abraham

Mr Antonio Ribeiro Mr Jordan Schlipf

Mr Ben Barnett

Leadership Forum- Alumni Panel 2020 Ms Shahazard Akbar

Sir Andrew Dilnot Ms Pamela Dow Mr Justin Gayner

Mr Idris Bello

Mrs Margarita Louis-Dreyfus Dr Precious Lunga

Ms Lila Buckley

Sir Trevor McDonald

Mr Jourdan Hussein

Dame Theresa Sackler

Ms Maheen Iqbal

Mr Robert Serpollet

Ms Nadira Kourt Mr Cedric Maforimbo

Mr Karel Chromy

Ms Nadja Skaljic

Mr Chris Mathew

Academic Adviser

Ms Rahul Nayar

Dr Nik Kirby (& Moral Philosophy Seminar

Ms Mastewal Taddese Terefe

Co-director)

Mr Asaf Tzachor

WHT Adviser Lady Elizabeth Roberts

Special Thanks Prof Emily Jones

Moral Philosophy Seminar

Prof Thomas Hellmann

Moderators Prof Jeremy Jennings (Co-director)

Mr Jon Sopel Ms Larisa Halilović

Dr Siba Harb

Humanitas Programme Prof James Conlon- Visiting Professor of Voice

Dr Diana Popescu Dr Elise Roumeas

and Classical Music

Dr Paul Sagar

Prof David Coomes- Director of University of

Dr Sarah von Billerbeck

Cambridge Conservation Research Institute Prof Ruth DeFries- Tellus Mater Professor in

Blavatnik Practical Skills Training

Sustainability Studies

Mr Jon Bernstein Ms Jen MacDonald & AGL Team

Oxford Scholarship Endowment Selection Panel 2020

Ms Sue Tonks

Prof Jocelyn Alexander

Enterprise Challenge Mentors & Enterprise Challenge Panel

Dr Proochista Ariana Prof Pepper Culpepper

Mr Matthew de la Hey

Prof Louise Fawcett Prof Roger Goodman

Ms Amanda Feldman Mr Greg FitzGerald

Prof Colin Please

Mr Lauren Fletcher Mr Justin Gayner

Dr Tim Schwanen Prof Martin Williams (Chair)

The Trust is grateful for the work carried out by the Fees and Funding department with Nicola Cooper-Harvey and her team. 53

James Conlon

HUMANITAS Visiting Professor in Voice and Classical Music 2019-20, thanks to the generous support of the Mercedes T. Bass Charitable Corporation.

The 2019-20 holder of the Humanitas Visiting Professor of Voice & Classical Music was James Conlon. He is a renowned Conductor of opera and symphonic and choral works. He is Music Director of the Los Angeles Opera and Principal Conductor of the RAI National Symphony Orchestra in Torino, Italy. James has also devoted himself to extensive programming of music of composers suppressed by the Nazi regime resulting in the creation of The OREL Foundation, an invaluable resource for music lovers, students, musicians, and scholars. James gave a series of very well received masterclasses including Aria and Recitative and two public lectures on Mozart: Clemenza di Tito and the Final Months and Recovering a Lost Heritage his work highlighting works by composers silenced by the Nazi regime. The latter can be watched on our youtube channel alongside many more including Mitsuko Uchida whose illustrated lecture has been viewed nearly 200k times. Since 2010 the Humanitas Programme has brought to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge some of the most influential and distinguished academics and practitioners to share their ideas and expertise. With the support of a range of generous donors, including private individuals, family foundations, and corporations, the Humanitas Programme hosted 94 Visiting Professors including Jared Diamond, Tom Stoppard, Shirin Neshat, Simon Schama, Martti Ahtisaari, Vanessa Redgrave, Xu Bing, Eric Schmidt, William Kentridge and Renee Fleming amongst many others.

Tellus Mater Distinguished Fellow in Sustainability Studies 2020 Ruth DeFries

Professor of Ecology and Sustainable Development, Columbia University The Fellowship at the Cambridge Conservation Research Institute (UCCRI) at the University of Cambridge explores the many aspects of how sustainability can be applied in global society now and in the future. Of pressing importance, this initiative brings Visiting Professors with multidisciplinary expertise in the environment, business, social sciences, and policy to address how sustainability can be an opportunity rather than a burden. Professor Ruth DeFries Cambridge Conservation Research Institute (UCCRI)

Image © 2020 The Breakthrough Institute Professor Ruth DeFries, delivered two well attended public lectures at the Cambridge Conservation Research Institute examining human transformation of the landscape and its consequences where land use change involves trade-offs between human necessities and habitat loss. A particular focus was tropical deforestation and its impacts on atmospheric carbon emissions and land use changes over broad scales recorded through the lens of satellite observations. Nine of our scholars attended an Early Career Research Day. A week ago, the @WeidenfeldSchol, in partnership with @MPhilCL of the @ Cambridge_Uni, had a unique session with Ruth De Fries to discuss global conservationism, land pressures, communities’ livelihoods, as well as transformative and effective policy making The Tellus Mater Distinguished Fellowship is managed by UCCRI in cooperation with the WeidenfeldHoffmann Trust and follows the earlier Humanitas Chair in Sustainability Studies which was created in 2013. Over its 7-year duration the programme has included a diverse range of topics related to sustainability studies, ranging from the environment and behaviour, to policy and economics.

Scholars 2020-21

Scholar Cohort 2020-2021 Louis Dreyfus-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann Scholars •

•

Aaron Acuda, Uganda, MSc Water Science, Policy and Management

•

Maria Mercedes Kuri, Argentina, MSc Water Science, Policy and Management

•

Simant Verma, India, MSc Environmental Change and Management

Oxford-Hoffmann Scholars •

Mirza Saaib Beg, India, Master of Public Policy

•

Alejandro Biondi Rodriguez, Argentina, MSc Evidence-Based Social Intervention & Policy Evaluation Tamar Bortsvadze, Georgia, MSc Evidence-Based Social Intervention & Policy Evaluation

•

Nicolas Gomez Ospina, Colombia, Law & Finance

•

Karan Gupta, India, Bachelor of Civil Law

•

Andrés Ordoñez-Buitrago, Colombia, MSt Diplomatic Studies

•

Melissa Penagos, Colombia, MSc Biodiversity, Conservation & Management

•

Giri Rajahram, Malaysia, MSc International Health & Tropical Medicine

•

Bigyan Regmi, Nepal, MSc Migration Studies

•

Tamarie Rocke, Belize, MSc International Health & Tropical Medicine

Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann-Barnett Scholars •

Sarani Jayawardena, Sri Lanka, MSc EvidenceBased Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation

Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann-Saïd/Barnett Scholars •

Reka Kassay-Farkas, Hungary, Master of Business Administration

Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann-Saïd Scholars •

Prerna Wadikar, India, Master of Business Administration

Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann-Saïd/Lewis Scholars •

Esther Ninshuti, Rwanda, Master of Business Administration

Oxford- Weidenfeld and Hoffmann-Sackler Scholars

Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann-Abraham/ Rausing Scholars • • •

•

Kessem Adiv, Israel, MSc Refugee and Forced Migration

Soumaya Belaid, Tunisia, Master of Public Policy

Oxford- Weidenfeld and Hoffmann-Lewis Scholars Kai Bridgewater, Jamaica, MSc Law and Finance

•

Xuan Zhu, China, MSc Social Sciences of the Internet

Natalia Brigagão Carvalho, Brazil, Magister Juris

•

Wilsona Jallop, Sierra Leone, Master of Public Policy

•

Darin Hussein, Palestinian Territories, Master of Public Policy

•

Nandita Venkatesan, India, Master of Public Policy

•

Samuel Pulgar, Venezuela, Master of Public Policy

Oxford-Hoffmann and Annenberg Scholars

Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann Scholars •

We’Am Hamdan, Palestinian Territories, MSc Education (Comp and Int Ed)

Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann/Chevening Scholars

Manuel Azuero, Colombia, Master of Public Policy

•

Fizza Rahman, Pakistan, MSc in Economics for Development

•

Valery Atieno, Kenya, MSc Social Sciences of the Internet

•

Tafadzwa Matika, Zimbabwe, MSc International Health Tropical Medicine

•

Ana Leticia Nery, Brazil, MSc International Health Tropical Medicine

Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust and College Partnerships Hertford College • • • •

Karan Gupta, India, Bachelor of Civil Law - Hertford College Scholars Reka Kassay-Farkas, Hungary, MBA - Hertford College Scholars Esther Ninshuti, Rwanda, MBA - Hertford College Scholars Analia Saker, Colombia, MSc Water Sciences, Policy and Management - Hertford College Scholars

Keble College • • • • •

Valery Atieno, Kenya, MSc Social Sciences of the Internet - Keble College Scholars Ana Leticia Nery, Brazil, MSc International Health & Tropical Medicine - Keble College Scholars Nicolás Gómez Ospina, Colombia, Law and Finance - Keble College Scholars Giri Rajahram, Malaysia, MSc International Health & Tropical Medicine - Keble College Scholars Nandita Venkatesan, India, MPP - Keble College Scholars

Lincoln College • • • • •

We’Am Hamdan, Palestinian Territories, MSc Education (Comp and International Education) Samuel Pulgar, Venezuela, MPP Fizza Rahman, Pakistan, MSc Economics for Development Bigyan Regmi, Nepal, MSc Migration Studies Prerna Wadikar, India, MBA

Mansfield College • • • • • • •

Kessem Adiv, MSc Refugee and Forced Migration Studies - Kofi Annan Scholarship Mirza Beg, India, MPP - Kofi Annan Scholarship Soumaya Belaid, Tunisia, MPP - Kofi Annan Scholarship Alejandro Biondi Rodriguez, Argentina, MSc Evidence-Based Social Innervation and Policy Evaluation - Kofi Annan Scholarship Natalia Brigagão, Brazil, MJur - Kofi Annan Scholarship Sarani Jayawardena, Sri Lanka, MSc Evidence-Based Social Innervation and Policy Evaluation - Kofi Annan Scholarship Xuan Zhu, China, MSc Social Sciences of the Internet - Kofi Annan Scholarshipp

St Edmund Hall • • • • •

Darin Hussein, Palestine Territories, MPP Wilsona Jallop, Sierra Leone, MPP - Julius Baer Scholarship Tafadzwa Matika, Zimbabwe, MSc International Health & Tropical Medicine - Julius Baer Scholarship Melissa Penagos, Colombia, MSc Biodiversity, Conservation and Management - Julius Baer Scholarship Andrés Ordoñez-Buitrago, MSt Diplomatic Studies

Trinity College • • •

Manuel Azuero, Colombia, MPP Tamar Bortsvadze, Georgia, MSc Evidence-Based Social Innervation and Policy Evaluation Tamarie Rocke, Belize, MSc International Health and Tropical Medicine

Worcester College • • • •

Aaron Acuda, Uganda, MSc Water Science, Policy and Management Kai Bridgewater, Jamaica, MSc Law and Finance Maria Mercedes Kuri, Argentina, MSc Water Science, Policy and Management Simant Verma, India, MSc Enviromental Change and Management

Scholar Cohort 2019-2020 Louis Dreyfus-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann Scholars

Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann-Saïd Scholars

•

Bivishika Bhandari, Nepal, Msc Nature, Society and Governance

•

Denis Mwaura Njunge, Kenya, MSc Water Science, Policy and Management

Francheska Loza Sanclemente, Mexico, MBA Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann-Saïd/Sackler Scholar

•

Andrea Gaviria Barreto, Colombia, MBA

•

Oxford-Hoffmann Scholars

Tania Risco, Peru, Msc Nature, Society & Governance

•

Bhanu Prasad Mellachervu Naga, India, MSc Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation

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Kavita Upadhyay, India, MSc Water Science, Policy and Management

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Kavya Chowdhury, India, MSc Nature Society and Environmental Governance

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Martina Lejtreger, Uruguay, Master of Public Policy

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Pablo Marzocca, Argentina, Master of Public Policy

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Minah Faiz Rashad, Maldives, MSc InternationalHealth & Tropical Medicine

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Upamanyu Ghose, India, MSc Computer Science

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Vignesh kamath Cannanure, India, MSc Biodiversity, Conservation and Management

Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann-Barnett Scholars •

Aileen Brown Cuevas, Mexico, MBA

Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann-Saïd/Barnett Scholars •

Naman Ahluwalia, India, Master of Business Administration

Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann-Abraham/ Rausing Scholars •

Shabana Basij-Rasikh, Afghanistan, Master of Public Policy

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Julia Carvalho Dias Carneiro, Brazil, MSc Latin American Studies

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Arlette Nyembo, Congo DRC, MSc Global Governance and Diplomacy

Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann-Saïd/Robin Hambro Scholars •

Yeukai Mudzi, Zimbabwe, MBA

Weidenfeld-Hoffmann/Chevening-Lewis Scholars

Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann Scholars

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Oksana Matiyash, Ukraine, Master of Public Policy

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Keith Mundangepfupfu, Zimbabwe, MSc Migration Studies

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Małgorzata Słowińska, Poland, MSc Computer Science

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Andrea Terminel Lembert, Mexico, Master of Public Policy

Gurmehar Kaur, India, MSc Modern South Asian Studies

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Junyi (Simon) Zhang, China, MSc Social Science of the Internet

Usuta Himeezembi Kavari, Namibia,Master of Public Policy

Oxford-Hoffmann and Annenberg Scholars

Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann-Rosner Scholars •

Su Mon Htet Naing, Myanmar, MSc Diplomatic Studies Nsuku Nxumalo, South Africa, MSc Water Science, Policy and Management

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Meron Kifle, Eritrea, MSc International Health and Tropical Medicine

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Motsatse (Sarah) Mantoleng, Lesotho, MSc Water Science, Policy and Management Nomcazululo Ncube, Zimbabwe, MSc International Health and Tropical Medicine

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