How can you promote research and scholarship opportunities to students?

Starting as a young girl fueled by a love for learning, my biggest inspiration was my parents, especially my hardworking mom. Despite not having a formal education, she devoted herself to ensuring that all 7 of us received the education she never had. My dad took pride in each step I took in my educational journey, supporting my choices even when it meant deviating from his dream of me becoming a medical doctor. This unwavering support became my motivation. I firmly believe that the encouragement and backing of parents can significantly impact a student's academic and research path. Therefore, working closely with parents to understand their children's interests and aspirations can be a valuable strategy for recognizing unique potential.

On the orientation day of each department there is usually a session devoted to research or scholarship opportunities, but often students are not paying much attention to it. Hence, continuing announcement of opportunities is necessary. Further, if advisor system is in place, this will be a good channel to disseminate information of this sort to them, but advisors need be well informed as well.

Discovering scholarship opportunities has been a journey for me, and one valuable avenue has been joining communities where such opportunities are discussed. Alongside my peers, we established a research academy to support fellow students in finding research and scholarship chances, equipping them with the necessary application skills. This collaborative effort not only aided others but was pivotal in my own quest, leading me to secure a Mastercard Foundation Scholarship after almost five years of applying to various organizations. I strongly suggest creating inclusive communities as an impactful way to share information and offer guidance to aspiring talents.

Providing one-on-one mentorship (or one-to-few when it's challenging to secure volunteer mentors with a similar journey of applying for research and scholarships) is a powerful way to ensure that students submit high-quality applications, are ready for interviews, and receive proper follow-up.

Students are sometimes hesitant to commit to research, as high-quality research can seem daunting, and imposter syndrome can also hold many back. Having someone who checks up on progress, and also having a network of like-minded peers can help go through the hard times. Following up to keep the student on track can be one major thing that will help students on their research journey. Helping students understand that they need to apply for opportunities actively and will get better naturally is also a key thing to do.

Students nowadays are more inclined to take on a job instead of a research route. Hence, mentoring, advising and finding ways to get students interested in research must be well coordinated.

There are a few students like me who are passionate about going to the highest level of their educational track. Many get discouraged along the way when it looks like getting a Job pays more than going back to school. Therefore, the benefits of research should be amplified and students should be exposed to it early enough, right from high school. This is the first stage where students begin to make career decisions. Ensure students have access to relevant resources, including books, online databases, and software tools. Also, help students see the real-world applications of their research by connecting them with professionals in relevant fields.