Having joined the Laureate Universities network in 2013, Monash South Africa has been at the forefront of internationalising the student experience. Laureate has a presence in 29 countries and serving over 900 000 students globally. It is through these strong ties that students are enabled to thrive through unique experiences like that of Monash South Africa student, Nyiko Mthembi, who has been selected to represent South Africa at the 10th Annual Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Meeting, held between the 19 – 24 September 2014.
Nyiko was chosen to be a news anchor at the 2014 Clinton Global Initiative Meeting which was hosted by Founding Chairman of the Clinton Global Initiative and the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton and Former U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. The event brought together guests from around the world under this year’s theme of “Reimagining Impact” that aims to stimulate forward-thinking approaches to the way that the world is impacted. The meeting included distinguished speakers including the likes of Co-chair and Trustee of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Melinda Gates, U.S President Barack Obama and humanitarian and widow of Nelson Mandela, Graça Machel.
The 22-year old student is currently in her third-year studying towards a Bachelor of Social Science, majoring in Communication and Media Studies. Nyiko embodies the highly active volunteer culture that Monash South Africa values through her work. Her passion for community development started three years ago when she participated in an exchange programme in New Delhi, India. In 2013, she was elected as the president of AIESEC Monash South Africa, a programme designed to prepare young people to become powerful, leaders. Nyiko is an active member of Monash South Africa’s student volunteer group that runs a weekly soft-skills development programme for local grade 9 learners, calledTomorrow Starts Today.
“I would like to create greater access to education through empowering young people in South Africa and the world. Every step that I take towards my future is proof that I am on the right path, that I am doing something right. Opportunities like this make me realise my potential and the potential of others as well,” said Nyiko.
Through innovative higher education, Monash South Africa nurtures strong, globally-relevant graduates who make an impact in the different spheres where they serve. The commitment to quality education reaches beyond the classroom and across borders, providing students with the opportunities to lead in real-life situations.