This year, 115 scholarship holders from 35 countries have participated in the programme. Students from within global health, sustainability, human rights, technology and entrepreneurship participated in the programme which has been offered to scholarship holders since 2019 with the aim of supporting the networks mission. Johanna Lundin, Programme Manager at the Swedish Institute:
– The aim of the programme is to help participants to grow and develop within leading oneself, the dynamics of collaboration and how to lead others. We also want to promote networking by bringing together scholarship holders within the same study area.
During a weekend, scholarship holders from all over Sweden explore important topics related to developmental leadership that is based on self-awareness and social skills. The programme deals with the essence of collaboration and how members in a group influence and are influenced by each other. Heca Arcana Putra is a master student and SI scholarship holder from Indonesia studying Information Technology and Learning at Gothenburg University. He had the opportunity to reflect on his self-leadership and found the exchange between participants very valuable.
– I learned from both facilitators and participants, from all people’s perspectives. I hope we will be able to connect later to share our leadership journeys and reflect on this experience.”
The programme is conducted through experimental learning methods, allowing participants to simulate scenarios in which they later reflect and learn from. The sessions are supported by theoretical frameworks as well as inputs from experts and practitioners in the various thematic fields. Tapiwa Yemeke, SI Scholarship holder from Zimbabwe, studies a master in Peace and Development Work at Linnaeus University. She joined the Self-Leadership Programme on Human Rights and found the programme insightful.
– I found the expert session inspiring. It reminded me so much of my experience growing up in Zimbabwe and where I want to position myself in my career life. It also helped me understand more some of the struggles I have coming from the global south and how this opportunity gives me the exposure to improve myself especially in the advocacy field.
Gvantsa Daniela from Georgia agrees, she studies International Human Rights Law at Lund University and believes the self-leadership programme provides a good place for reflection about herself as a professional.
– I’ve learned a lot from all the different experiences and approaches we have used during the training, there is not one single “right” way. This made me want to be an even better professional.
About the Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals
The SI Scholarship for Global Professionals is a fully-funded scholarship for master’s studies in Sweden. The programmes offers a unique opportunity to develop professionally and academically, experience Swedish society and culture, and build a long-lasting relationship with Sweden and other global professionals.
The SI Network for Global Professionals provides scholars with the possibility to participate in events, workshops, seminars and study-visits to companies around Sweden, with the aim of developing professionally and gaining an insight into how Swedish organisations and companies work. The self-leadership programme is one of many offers for the network members. Read more about the Network and their activities here.