Jiyda Zahaf, a Mauritanian scholar with a background in health economics, secured the fully funded Chevening Scholarship to pursue a Master’s in Health Care Policy and Management at the University of Birmingham, crediting her success to strategic preparation, strong leadership experience, and a clear vision for improving healthcare equity.
Jiyda Zahaf, a Mauritanian scholar with a background in health economics, secured the prestigious Chevening Scholarship to pursue a Master’s in Health Care Policy and Management at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom. Prior to this, she earned both a Master’s and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Management from the University of Paris 12 in France.
Her professional experience includes working in health financing at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Mauritania, where she contributed to improving health equity, strengthening healthcare policies, and mobilizing resources for the health sector. Her passion for making healthcare more accessible and financially sustainable in developing countries motivated her to pursue further studies in healthcare policy and management.
Zahaf was awarded the fully funded Chevening Scholarship, which covers tuition, travel, and living expenses, allowing her to focus entirely on her academic and professional development.
Her preparation for the University of Birmingham involved extensive research on institutions offering specialized courses in health policy and management. She prioritized universities with strong academic reputations, experienced faculty, and diverse student networks. To meet the language requirements, she took the IELTS exam, achieving a score of 7.0.
Applying for the Chevening Scholarship was a rigorous yet rewarding process. Zahaf dedicated significant time to crafting her essays, ensuring they reflected her leadership experiences, professional achievements, and career aspirations. She sought feedback from mentors and colleagues to refine her responses. Additionally, she connected with past Chevening scholars from Mauritania, whose insights helped her structure her essays and prepare effectively for the interview stage.
Zahaf believes that her application stood out due to a combination of strong leadership experience, a well-defined career vision, and a genuine commitment to healthcare equity. Her role at WHO involved leading major health financing projects and influencing policy decisions, demonstrating her ability to create meaningful change.
She also emphasized her networking skills, highlighting how she built professional relationships with global health experts and leveraged shared learning opportunities to enhance her work. Her application was authentic, reflecting her personal journey, challenges, and aspirations in a compelling and sincere manner.
Looking back, Zahaf acknowledges that starting her application earlier would have allowed more time for refining her essays and seeking feedback. She also notes that taking the IELTS exam sooner would have reduced unnecessary stress, as preparing for the test alongside the application process was overwhelming.
For those aspiring to secure similar scholarships, she advises starting early, strategically researching the scholarship’s values, and tailoring essays to highlight leadership, networking abilities, and commitment to making a positive impact. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity—telling a compelling story that reflects achievements, challenges, and aspirations. Seeking feedback from mentors, colleagues, or past scholars can further strengthen an application. Additionally, she stresses the need for thorough interview preparation, encouraging applicants to practice articulating their motivations, experiences, and career goals with confidence.
Zahaf’s journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring scholars, proving that with determination, strategic planning, and authenticity, securing a competitive scholarship is possible.