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11 February 2022 | Story Lunga Luthuli | Photo Supplied
Dr Yong Sebastian Nyam aims to contribute to solutions to alleviate food insecurity, poverty and inequality, community resilience, and disaster preparedness on the continent.

With a PhD in hand and a recent appointment as an African fellow to the World Bank, the sky is the limit for Dr Yong Sebastian Nyam, an alumnus of the University of the Free State. 

Dr Nyam, who also completed an MSc in Agricultural Economics through the University of the Free State and was named the best master’s student in the Department of Agricultural Economics in 2018, joined the World Bank’s Urban, Disaster Risk Management, Resilience and Land Global Practice on 3 January 2022 for a six-month fellowship programme organised and managed by the Office of the Chief Economist, Africa Region (AFRCE). 

The programme equips African PhD candidates and recent graduates (less than three years) from different universities around the world with hands-on experience at the World Bank Group’s headquarters in Washington DC or its country offices.

Dr Nyam says: “Fellows will work on research, economic policy, technical assistance, and lending operations that contribute to the World Bank Group’s goal of eliminating poverty and increasing shared prosperity.”

During his time with the World Bank, Dr Nyam will be working on urban resilience projects, especially projects focused on urban food systems and disaster risk reduction.

Working with experts and policy makers across the continent, he says: “I am hoping to gain some hands-on industry experience while contributing to developing solutions to the continent’s most pressing problems, such as food insecurity, poverty and inequality, community resilience, and disaster preparedness.”

Through the fellowship programme, Dr Nyam hopes “to use this opportunity to become a useful tool for sustainable development in Africa and to advance mentorship programmes geared towards preparing and informing PhD candidates on different career options in the industry and how to transition from academia to the industry”.

Reaping benefits of hard work and determination

Looking back on his academic journey, Dr Nyam is grateful for his ‘determination and self-discipline’ traits that set him apart from his peers, despite the fact that he experienced ‘financial challenges’ at home.

“I was not the most intelligent student, but the most hardworking, and I have never let financial difficulties stop me.”

On obtaining his PhD degree, Dr Nyam says: “Like many people, I thought a PhD was very difficult and almost impossible to do. I think the impression people give about a PhD degree is wrong and it scares a lot of people away from doing it. I quickly realised after one year of my master’s research that it was possible to do a PhD.”

About his time with the UFS, Dr Nyam says: “Most of the things I know in my professional life I learned from the institution; the memories are all good. I am extremely grateful for all the lessons and maybe one day I will write a book about my journey at the UFS, because there are so many stories about my experiences as Resident Assistant at President Steyn Residence for five years and as Research Assistant for four years.”

News Archive

Gendered violence and women’s citizenship in Africa
2014-05-23

 
Prof Takyiwaa Manuh

Prof Takyiwaa Manuh celebrated both Africa Day and her birthday with the UFS on 22 May 2014.

Being the guest speaker at the Africa Day Memorial Lecture, Prof Manuh discussed how gendered violence and the lack of women’s true citizenship in Africa still hinder the Pan-African ideal. She asked the question: if African issues get less worldwide attention, how much less attention do African women get?

“Africa Day offers us an opportunity to revisit the Pan-African ideal and aspiration for total national liberation, equality and self-worth,” Prof Manuh said.

“This ideal has envisaged full citizenship with the enjoyment of rights and resources for the people of Africa to live a dignified and fulfilling life. Yet, the conceptions of citizenship that have emerged in several African countries do not fully incorporate women and girls.”

The lecture explored the policing of women’s bodies and sexualities and how their enjoyment of rights is undermined – often under the pretext of culture. Often families, communities, states, religious bodies and culture work collaboratively to mold African women into the patriarchal image of disciplined and virtuous. The epidemic of violence against females negates their fundamental human rights and their claim to full citizenship and protection within their states.

The lecture also reviewed recent efforts including law reform, legislation and actions by activists. “The African Union and the UN need to confront these violations and suggest a robust agenda for more effective exercise of women’s citizenship rights and convergence towards the Pan-African ideal.”

Prof Manuh is currently Director: Social Development Policy Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

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