Kenyan Student Hemanshi Galaiya Nominated for Sh13 Million Global Prize.
Hemanshi Galaiya, a 28-year-old Kenyan student at the University of Queensland in Australia, has been named one of 50 finalists for the 2024 Chegg.org Global Student Prize. As a PhD candidate and the founder of Young Stripes, she has made a significant impact on education, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Young Stripes aims to inspire young students through practical, hands-on science education and leadership development. In addition, Galaiya’s program helps students see the value in STEM fields and reach their full potential. “Our initiative seeks to promote educational equity by using practical and affordable science exercises that demonstrate real-world STEM applications,” she said.
The Global Student Prize, valued at $100,000 (Sh13 million), rewards students who make significant contributions to learning, peer lives, and society. Furthermore, Galaiya’s initiative aligns with Kenya’s recently adopted Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC), which, importantly, allows learners to choose from three pathways: STEM, talent, and languages/social sciences, based on their interests and abilities.
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Galaiya’s program engages learners from as young as four years old, thereby helping them understand scientific concepts deeply and develop essential skills like analytical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Consequently, these skills are crucial for future leaders in any field.
Her efforts have had a global impact, reaching over 50,000 individuals, including young adults in several countries and benefiting various multinational organizations and industries. Moreover, Galaiya emphasizes the importance of encouraging female students to pursue STEM subjects, addressing gender inequality in these fields. “We aim to increase awareness and reduce stigma around STEM pathways, thereby equipping young adults with skills to enhance their personal, academic, and professional profiles,” she stated.
To achieve this, Galaiya has enlisted passionate STEM leaders from various universities in Kenya for mentorship. These mentors, drawn from both the public and private sectors, guide and inspire young scientists. “Our mentors’ achievements serve as a great source of inspiration to budding scientists,” said Galaiya.
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Overcoming personal challenges, Galaiya has become the first graduate, first engineer, and now the first PhD student in her family. “I didn’t dream of this at a young age, but today, all the hard work feels worth it. I hope my journey inspires young girls worldwide to believe in themselves and pursue STEM fields,” she said.
Galaiya described her nomination for the Global Student Prize as a great honor, motivating her to expand her initiative and impact more learners. “Being the only finalist from both Kenya and Australia, which has become my home, makes me feel celebrated for my contributions to society,” she added.
In conclusion, the Global Student Prize, established to highlight the efforts of extraordinary students reshaping the world, is open to all students aged 16 and above enrolled in an academic institution.
Kenyan Student Hemanshi Galaiya Nominated for Sh13 Million Global Prize.
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