Deserving medical students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Foundation has partnered with Mérieux NutriSciences (MXNS), a global leader in food safety, quality and sustainability, to offer bursaries to deserving medical students.

This shared commitment will empower the next generation of leaders, particularly in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Human resources officer at MXNS, Janice Adams, said the company is dedicated to supporting education.

“We understand that through education, we are able to empower our youth to become future leaders and responsible citizens in our community,” Ms Adams said. “Financial challenges should not stand in the way of talented students pursuing STEM careers.”

She said in addition to financial assistance, MXNS actively engages with bursary recipients throughout their academic journey, offering internships to 10 students each year at various MXNS branches.

Several former bursary recipients have gone on to secure employment within the company.

S’Khona Letsipa, a final-year medical student and bursary recipient at UKZN, said he is grateful for the financial relief provided by MXNS and the UKZN Foundation. He said this highlighted how the support helped him focus on his studies without the added stress of tuition fees.

“Higher education in South Africa is costly and adds to the stress of academics. Receiving financial assistance relieved the burden of worrying about how I would pay for tuition fees, allowing me to have a positive mental state,” said Mr Letsipa. “I want to work in public health and help people in rural areas access good healthcare. I’m also passionate about child health, and I see myself specialising in paediatrics. The future holds a lot of possibilities, and I am excited to see what happens.”

As he approaches the end of his medical studies, Mr Letsipa is looking forward to his future. His message to fellow students pursuing higher education is: "Never give up on your dreams. You may face many challenges but remember that your ultimate goal is to finish your degree. Your hard work will pay off in the end.”