Inside the Una Europa Virtual Exchange: African student voices shaping a sustainable future

When we introduced UnaVEx to African students, I wondered: can a virtual exchange ever feel global and personal? Could conversations typed across continents feel as real as those in a café abroad? Over several weeks, seven online postgraduate students from the University’s Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program – based in Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda and Kenya – proved that it could. Their curiosity and commitment transformed sustainability from a buzzword into a vibrant reality.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program supports climate leaders from across Africa. For the seven scholars that took part in UnaVEx, the motivation was simple: learning from one another and breaking through borders without leaving home.

Yusuf Amos Wakawa, a UnaVEx ambassador from Nigeria, found the programme to be the perfect opportunity to “broaden my horizons and connect with like-minded individuals across borders.” For Yusuf, who is studying a Postgraduate Diploma in Global Food Security and Nutrition, the virtual format was critical as it “removes geographical and financial barriers, enabling me to participate from my home country.”

Sandra Nanyunja, a PhD candidate in Sustainable African Futures from Uganda, said that:

Sometimes to study online means you are studying in isolation. However, the screens also present the opportunity to network beyond boundaries. I saw it as an opportunity to enrich my knowledge.

Divine Debuo from Ghana, who is graduating with a Postgraduate Diploma in Food Security and Nutrition, was motivated to share his own perspective while learning from others. He said that “Africa is incredibly diverse yet often misunderstood. I wanted to share my African perspective about sustainability and the environment while learning from students worldwide.”

Each student brought local sustainability issues and gained fresh insights.

Foster Junior Osei, a PhD candidate in Sustainable African Futures, reflected on the use of bicycles on campus. He pointed out the contrast between his experience in Edinburgh, where “bicycles ensured campuses were free from harmful emissions” and in Africa where “cycling is often linked with poverty.” He believes that cycling “should be encouraged to ensure greener communities.”

Yusuf shared a new perspective he gained on plastic pollution. Before UnaVEx, he “viewed it mainly as waste management”, but the programme showed him “links to health, ecosystems and climate resilience.” He emphasised that “collective small actions – like promoting reusables and advocating for recycling – can create long-term impact.”

For Sandra, UnaVEx’s greatest impact was a shift in mindset:

Thinking someone will come to ‘save us’ creates inaction. UnaVEx showed me we can effect change at an individual level through routines, habits and choices.

Peter Karani Murithi, studying Sustainable Lands and Cities in Kenya, noted Africa’s greatest challenge may be miscommunication and misunderstanding of local contexts.

The program didn’t end with the final meeting; it stirred lasting change.

Derrick Byamungu, a Master of Sciences student in Global Challenges in Uganda, highlighted the importance of cultural sustainability. He believes that “our traditions, indigenous designs, and cultural values can be central to advancing environmental sustainability.”

For Sandra, a key takeaway was collaboration. She reflected that “if the task had been individual, I never would have come close to what we developed as a group.” For her, “diversity proved more effective than working in silos.”

Yusuf’s biggest lesson was the importance of small, consistent actions to inspire systemic change. He realised that “while systemic change is essential, grassroots initiatives like reducing personal plastic use and advocating for sustainable packaging can drive significant cultural and behavioural shifts.”

For Divine, the key was interdisciplinary collaboration. He said:

During this program, I was in a group with students from different continents and disciplines, and it was interesting working with such diversity. In my academic work, I will seek diverse perspectives, and in my community work, I’ll prioritise teamwork with varied stakeholders to find lasting solutions to problems.

What stood out most in listening to these students was not only the depth of their individual insights, but also their collective conviction that collaboration matters. They described UnaVEx as a chance to grow knowledge, build networks, and see sustainability through both global and culturally grounded lenses.

For Derrick, it was about recognising the value of one’s own traditions in shaping solutions. Sandra emphasised the opportunity to learn from experts and peers alike, while Austinline, a Circular Economy student from Nigeria, noted how the program “made complex issues clear, practical, and relatable.”

But to enhance the inclusivity of virtual exchange programs for students in Africa, higher education professionals must first acknowledge the unique challenges some students face by offering flexible scheduling that accommodates various time zones, providing downloadable offline learning materials for those in regions with unstable internet access, alongside utilising low-bandwidth platforms or small bursaries to cover connectivity costs.  

Additionally, integrating mentorship and culturally relevant case studies will make the content resonate more deeply with African experiences. If higher education is to be truly global, it must acknowledge the barriers students face and actively work to remove them. 
For these students, UnaVEx was more than dialogue – it was empowerment. As Yusuf summarised:

“By leveraging digital platforms, forming cross-border collaborations, and championing circular economy models, we can mobilise grassroots action and inspire collective responsibility. Sustainability must become not just an ideal, but a practical reality across Africa.”

The Una Europe Virtual Exchange shows what happens when diverse minds meet with shared purpose: barriers fall, solutions grow, and a sustainable future feels closer.