A Dream fulfilled
When I received that life-changing email at 16:43 on 16th June 2023 confirming I’d been awarded a Chevening Scholarship, my world shifted, not just in location, but in meaning. The University of Exeter, a place I had only envisioned through screens and dreams, had suddenly become a reality, a place I could call home for the next couple of months. Albeit different from what my whole being was accustomed to, Exeter became the backdrop for one of the most transformative chapters of my life.
Before Exeter, I had ambition and conviction, but little clarity. I was certain I wanted to contribute meaningfully to Uganda’s development, yet the “how” remained elusive. Chevening gave me more than just the opportunity to pursue my Master’s. It offered me space to reflect, tools to grow, and a community to belong to.
Learning beyond the lecture hall
From the very first week, Exeter was not just about coursework, it was about context. Every seminar became an opportunity to ask “Why?” and, more importantly, “Why not?” I had the chance to engage with forward-thinking professors, dive into research that mirrored Uganda’s challenges, and even question the very structures I had once accepted as unchangeable.
I remember a particularly impactful moment in Sustainable Engineering, one of my modules at the University of Exeter, when our professor drew a simple diagram on the board, just a loop of arrows connecting economy, environment, and society. But what followed shifted my entire perspective. He paused, looked around the room, and said: “If you fix one part of the system without understanding the others, you risk making things worse”. That moment hit me. It wasn’t just about technical fixes, it was about understanding how energy systems, policy, and communities were all connected. I left that lecture with a sense of responsibility, but also clarity. I realised what I needed wasn’t just knowledge, it was a new lens. That lesson became a seed, one I would water through every paper, debate, and project that followed.
Networks that nurture
One of Chevening’s greatest gifts is its global community. I shared meals, ideas, and dreams with scholars from all over the world. Each encounter reminded me that we’re all linked by purpose, by passion, by a willingness to shape our societies for the better.
These friendships expanded my worldview. Whether it was through a classmate’s take on political resilience in Myanmar, large-scale manufacturing in Shenzhen, or discussions on the health system in Peru, Indonesia or India, the renewable energy innovations in Barnsley, every voice added depth to my own journey. Some of these conversations, arguments are still ongoing on the very many platforms we have shared, most fondly the Chevexeter WhatsApp (an amalgamation of Chevening and Exeter, Hola Amigo!). Long may these continue!
They say each of us has seven people in the world who think almost exactly like us-who, given similar circumstances, would make the same decisions. I believe I met some of mine at the University of Exeter. After just three weeks of sharing a residence, five of us from Uganda, India, Indonesia, Chile, and Myanmar decided, almost instinctively, to make the long trip to Manchester to watch Manchester United play at Old Trafford. It wasn’t just about football. It was about the shared excitement, the laughter on the train, the unfamiliar accents becoming familiar, and the friendships that formed across cultures. It’s these memories and the deep, human connections forged along the way that stay with you for the rest of your life.
From Insight to impact
By the time I left Exeter, I wasn’t just more educated, I was equipped. I knew I could lead, influence, and innovate. Currently, I am in the preliminary stages of launching a Simulation Academy in Uganda. The adoption of Computational Modelling, AI and machine learning in industrial development is taking shape in Uganda, and the Simulation Academy will provide the catalyst to take us there faster. The academy will equip youth with expertise in computational modelling, AI and Machine Learning to develop models that enhance efficiency, optimise systems, and drive sustainable innovation.
My focus is on exploring how AI and machine learning can revolutionise mechanical systems in the manufacturing sector in Uganda, creating innovative solutions to modern challenges inspired by both my classroom experience and the real-world models I encountered across the UK. Be on the Lookout, I have news for you!
In true Chevening spirit, I have also mentored aspiring scholars not just in East Africa but all over the globe. Some of the stories we have shared are stories I hope the world gets to hear someday. Helping others articulate their dreams and guiding them through the application process became a calling I hadn’t anticipated, but one I’ve fully embraced.
Transformation, not just transition
Chevening didn’t change who I am, it amplified me. The curious student became a confident practitioner. The dreamer became a doer. And the local leader became a global thinker.
If I had to choose again, I would still choose Chevening, not just for the scholarship, but for the identity it helped me uncover.
At Exeter, I didn’t just learn how to think. I learnt how to lead with purpose. I was Chosen for Chevening, and that has made all the difference.
By Brian Womayi
Chevening Scholar 2023-2024
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
University of Exeter