Interview with Bonjawo Bonjawo Joseph Junior, recipient of the 2024 Eiffel Excellence scholarshipd’Excellence Eiffel 2024

Eiffel Excellence: recruiting and training tomorrow's elite

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program was established by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to help French higher education institutions attract top international students to their degree programs. Every year, IMT Mines Albi trains students who have received this prestigious scholarship.

Congratulations to Bonjawo Bonjawo Joseph Junior, who has been awarded the 2024 Eiffel Excellence scholarship. He will be attending IMT Mines Albi in September 2024. We sat down with the scholarship recipient and future IMT Mines Albi student.
 

Could you tell us a little about yourself?

Hi, my name is Bonjawo Bonjawo Joseph Junior and I'm from Cameroon. I'm currently a second-year student in the Civil Engineering program at École Supérieure Privée d’Ingénierie et de Technologie (ESPRIT) and will soon graduate with a national engineering degree. Then, I'll be enrolling at IMT Mines Albi to pursue a general engineering degree. I've also been selected to receive an Eiffel Excellence scholarship.

What does earning the Eiffel Excellence scholarship mean to you?

Receiving the Eiffel Excellence scholarships is a great source of pride for me since it's the result of a lot of hard work. It's also a testament to the upbringing and values my parents instilled in me and I want to pay tribute to them for that. Earning this scholarship will give me the opportunity to highlight the Cameroonian and African student community, since it's a prestigious scholarship,  and I'll surely serve as a role model to younger students – inspiring them to achieve great things tomorrow. And lastly, it's always an asset, since no matter what happens, you're still an Eiffel scholarship recipient.

How were you supported throughout the application process?

To apply for the scholarship, you need to be sponsored by a French university and ESPRIT has many partnerships with French schools, so the first thing I did was apply to a dual degree mobility program. Then, IMT Mines Albi reviewed my application to determine whether they could sponsor me. After I was approved,  IMT Mines Albi created a Campus France account for me, where candidates apply online. The school was there for me throughout the application process, providing help and support every step of the way.

What made you choose IMT Mines Albi?

I'd heard about IMT Mines Albi through the international mobility partnerships they have with ESPRIT, my current school. I chose the school for their diverse range of programs since I plan to step a bit outside of traditional civil engineering to focus on all aspects of renewable energy and natural resource management, taking climate issues into consideration.

What do you hope to gain from your two years of studies in France?

Over the course of my two years of studies in France, I hope to round out my engineering training and gain new skills in order to contribute to society and solve everyday problems. I also plan to specialize in renewable energies since we're experiencing a global energy crisis. In the medium and long term, I hope to contribute to Africa's development, as the continent is facing a major energy crisis and I'd like to help in my own small way.

What are your plans for the future?

I'm a big dreamer and I'm very ambitious. After I graduate, I want to use my skills and knowledge to contribute to a company or work for myself. One thing is for sure: I plan to start my own business in my country (one day far from now, but it will happen). I also love teaching and plan to pass my knowledge on to the next generation.

Obviously, I intend to work in France to make a contribution and apply the skills and knowledge I've gained. It will be a great experience.