"This scholarship is a life changing opportunity for me.”

Thanks to a combined scholarship from the Anne van den Ban Fund and the A.J. van Rumpt Foundation, he is pursuing his master’s in Earth and Environment in Wageningen, specializing in Hydrology and Water Resources, exactly the knowledge he needs to make a difference for his community.

“It is an opportunity that is changing my life. It has helped me to receive a world-class education, in the Netherlands, the country that is renowned for their long historical excellence in water. It's really connecting my inspiration to the tools that I need to achieve my goals.” 

In addition to these climate problems, his home country is also facing another major problem: escalations in the Sudan conflict. Where others might have given up, Hassan showed exceptional determination in achieving his goal. While fleeing for the conflict with uncertainty about electricity and internet access, yet with immense determination, he managed to complete his scholarship application, sometimes working through the night to meet the deadlines.

This reflects a deep motivation for his studies and a strong belief in the importance of education. “I come from a family that values education.”Hassan’s family therefore is very happy that he received the scholarship.

The conflict makes Hassan even more committed to do something meaningful, not just to his family but also for his home country. “This experience built such a deep sense of responsibility to do something to create a better future for this vulnerable community.” Hassan ultimately wants to promote national policy on climate change and accessibility, accessibility for vulnerable and marginalized communities. 

Meanwhile, Hassan has completed his first year at Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and will be working on his thesis this year. “I'm really glad that I received this scholarship, and I hope it can be continued for the next generation so they can have the same opportunity that I had.”