Please join us in congratulating Busola Akinbobola, one of our 2024 Stephen Daniel Pope Graduate Award recipients.
Busola is an international student from Nigeria. She is pursuing her Master of Arts in Education, and her thesis explores the motivating factors for continued schooling in Northern Nigeria. She has been a graduate teaching assistant with the English Foundation Program for the last two years.
“Receiving this award demonstrates to me that my work is valued and important,” says Busola. “It made me realize that people see what I do. Knowing that someone has heard about my research and finds my ideas worthwhile is incredibly valuable.”
Question & Answer with Busola Akinbobola
What has been a highlight for you during your graduate student experience?
The highlights for me have been the friends I’ve made, and the faculty. The openness of the faculty members has been invaluable; I know I can approach them with any issue and receive helpful guidance. My supervisor, Dr Bosetti, has been exceptional. As an international student who arrived alone, her consistent efforts to check in on me and her unwavering support have made a significant difference in my journey.
What inspired your research project?
My research project is inspired by my own experiences with education and its transformative power. Education has profoundly shaped my life, and I am aware of the opportunities it has opened for me. Without access to high school and my undergraduate degree, I wouldn’t be where I am today, pursuing a master’s degree. I am driven by a desire to ensure that other students have the same chance to experience the life-changing benefits of education. My goal is to provide actionable strategies that can enhance education access and equity, thereby helping others realize the full potential of education and to improve their lives in the way it has improved mine.
What advice do you have for future graduate students?
Focus on giving your best effort and put your best foot forward. You don’t need to know a lot about a thousand things, but you can know a thousand about one thing. So, embrace the learning process and stay committed to your goals. Your dedication and focus will make a significant impact.
About Stephen Daniel Pope Graduate Award
In memory of Dr. Stephen Daniel Pope, this award is presented to an Okanagan School of Education graduate student who shows great promise in the field of education. Dr. Stephen Daniel Pope is remembered for his passion for education and his significant contributions to the public education system of British Columbia in the 1800s.
Extremely proud of your achievement(s) and such feat!! Continue to soar.