This year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Global Swede Award goes to Lizzy Okogie at the University of Skövde. Lizzy Okogie, from Nigeria, is studying her last year on the Infection Biology Master's programme, and received her Global Swede Award under slightly different circumstances.
For ten years, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Swedish Institute have awarded the Global Swede Award to international students at universities in Sweden. The 19 students who receive the award this year have excelled in areas linked to innovation and entrepreneurship and have proven to be good representatives, both for Sweden and their home country. Usually, all students participate in a formal ceremony with a diploma award in Stockholm, but this year it turned out completely different.
Digital event with minister
Lizzy Okogie is studying the last semester of the Infection Biology Master's programme and received her diploma, with the signature of Minister for Foreign Trade, Anna Hallberg, by mail. The ceremony was then held digitally on May 28 where both Anna Hallberg and the Swedish Institute Director-General, Madeleine Sjöstedt, gave speeches to the students.
Always a smile on her face
The nomination for the University of Skövde's Global Swede 2020 states that Lizzy Okogie has excellent grades and is continuously improving throughout her studies. She is described as warm, friendly and with a positive can-do attitude, always with a smile on her face. Still, she was surprised by the nomination.
- It came to me as a surprise and it is indeed a great honour to be chosen as the University of Skövde's Global Swede. It has reassured me to keep putting in my best and be focused in all I do, she says.
The quality of the education attracted
Lizzy Okogie comes from the state of Edo in Nigeria, and it was the quality of education in infection biology, and the collaboration with other universities, both within and outside of Europe, that made her choose the University of Skövde.
- So far, my experience has been amazing and successful. The relationship between teachers and students is impressive and informal, which made learning less challenging. I've met people from different cultural backgrounds, broadened my knowledge and my social network. I also got the chance to see Sweden's reaction and protective measures against the ongoing covid-19 pandemic.
After graduation, Lizzy Okogie plans to pursue PhD studies.
Global Swede is part of the Swedish Government and Swedish Institute's work on building long-term relationships with international students in Sweden.
Read the full nomination
Lizzy is a student at the master’s programme in infection biology. She has achieved excellent grades and we are especially impressed by her continuous improvement throughout her studies. Very warm and friendly, Lizzy has a positive can-do attitude and always has a smile upon her face. Therefore, it is with great pleasure that we nominate Lizzy for the Global Swede Award. We are confident that she will be an excellent ambassador, both for the University of Skövde and for Sweden.