
The Scholarship
The Scholars
Andre Yvan Zolo Ossou
Cameroon & University of Cape Town, 2022 Yvan Zolo is a Global Surgery Fellow at the University of Cape Town, his work will focuses on the neurosurgical workforce in Africa. He obtained his Doctor of medicine degree from the University of Buea in 2021. Yvan is passionate about neurosurgery, medical education, research and improving the provision of safe, timely and affordable surgical care. He has nurtured his interests in numerous organizations including the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies’ Global Neurosurgery Junior Committee where he is a member of the advocacy and secretariat teams. He developed his passion for research, medical education, and global neurosurgery in the Association of Future African Neurosurgeons (AFAN). As an AFAN research fellow, Yvan published more than a dozen papers in peer-reviewed journals and made abstract presentations at international conferences. One of his landmark papers published in the British Journal of Neurosurgery investigated the motivations, needs, and challenges faced by aspiring neurosurgeons. Yvan and his co-authors used their findings to develop opportunities for aspiring neurosurgeons. Yvan co-founded a start-up that was a finalist of the Stanford Global Health Innovation Challenge. His leadership skills have led him to the presidency of AFAN where he has overseen its expansion across Africa.


Could you be a Mandela Rhodes Scholar?
Could you be a Scholar?
CloseWe look for young Africans who have demonstrated the potential to embody our founding principles of reconciliation, education, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
On 1 January 2023, I will be between the age of 19 and 29
I am a citizen of an African country
I have an undergraduate degree with above-average academic results (70% + or Upper Second Class Honours)
We look for young leaders who aspire to the principles below and who have demonstrated the potential to live them out.
Leadership:
Do you aspire to be a visionary leader who has moral authority? Do you see leadership as more than just personal ambition - as a way to pursue the advancement of equality and freedom, human rights and human dignity? And do you want to guide and inspire others to reach their full potential?
Reconciliation:
Do you admire Nelson Mandela’s ability to bridge historic divides through our common humanity? Do you believe that reconciliation and reparation are the key to transforming our societies so that everyone can have equal opportunity to thrive? And are you prepared to begin by grappling with your own internal divides and difficulties first?
Education:
Do you have excellent academic results, but believe that your education should not only benefit you but make a difference to others? And do you understand that intellectual excellence must be accompanied by character and a rounded personality?
Entrepreneurship:
Do you want to see Africa take its rightful place as an equal and competitive presence in the global world? Have you demonstrated individual effort, innovation and creativity to this end?