Martina Mchenga wins ODI international fellowship

Stellenbosch PhD student Martina Mchenga is the winner of this year’s Overseas Development Institute (ODI) international fellowship. Winners receive a two-year employment tenure in the public sector of various low and middle-income countries across the Pacific, Asia and Africa.

The ODI fellowship accepts applications from candidates across the world and sought after among candidates from top universities. This, according to Mchenga, makes the selection process competitive.

Since the fellowship places postgraduate economists and statisticians at the heart of policy-making, she explains that one experiences first-hand challenges and frustrations in policy-making. Mchenga has always wanted to be in a position where her research is used to inform policy and create targeted and effective interventions.

She is a health economist and a researcher with a passion in maternal health. Her award affords her the space to contribute to Malawi’s ailing health system.

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