Most of the Mawazo Fellowship Programme Courses included skill sets that I was learning for the first time, such as budgeting and financial management.

The skills acquired have been essential in proposal writing. Similarly, I had no training in policy engagement, public engagement, ethics in research, or career and leadership. I also gained from the connections, peer support, and the mentorship programme.

The value of the Mawazo Fellowship Programme is unmatched,especially its focus on women.

It created an environment where the fellows felt like we were sisters. I look forward to working more with Mawazo beyond this programme

My interest in farming propelled me to conduct research on drought resistant sorghum seeds. The Mawazo Fellowship Programme enabled me to understand the various roles and steps required in the policy making process. I intend to help farmers in my community with my research output, and I believe involving relevant policy makers will be critical.

I also gained a lot from the World Congress on Parasitic Plants in Nairobi, Kenya, where I did a poster presentation and made use of the skills I acquired from the Public Engagement course.

The Mawazo Fellowship Programme has expanded my professional network which had previously mostly been male dominated.

Through this Fellowship, I have found a professional, inspiring, and supportive group of women pursuing their PhDs studies. The people I have met throughout the programme, including the course facilitators, the mentors, and the Fellows, make a valuable network that I would not have built myself.

The Mawazo Fellowship Programme helped me expand my professional network through the peer groups where I met a good number of women from different disciplines. My mentor also contributed immensely to the extended network.

I have gained so much from the Mawazo Fellowship Programme, I am so glad I joined it.

The Budgeting Course was instrumental in me receiving a grant I applied for. Subsequently, the Academic Writing Course, helped me avoid predatory journals. I have since submitted several publications and actively engaged with policy makers.

The Mawazo Fellowship Programme was helpful in strengthening research and professional skills, expanding professional networks, aiding policy engagement, outreach activities and public engagement and science communication activities. The courses, which included novel ideas, improved my skills, confidence, and expertise in my research activities.