Faculty: Land and Food Systems
Program: Master of Food and Resource Economics
Year: 2017
Country: Kenya
Hailing from the rural town of Kitale, Mathew Bushuru joined Alliance High School (AHS) as the top student from his rural district. and was awarded the “Best Student in Physics Category” in high school and also recognized on a global scale through the “Techno Mediatek Everyday Genius Competition” where his project was selected among five global finalists. After witnessing the extreme violence between ethnic communities after an election result in 2007, in order to ease tensions, Mathew founded the Peace Club at his local high school. Through this club he encouraged peaceful relations among Kenyans of different ethnic communities and as secretary general of the club he worked to “empower club members to promote peace in the day to day activities through word and action.” Looking at his rural home in Kitale, Mathew is concerned about the poor living conditions and the unsustainable use of dried maize cobs, firewood and dried maize stalks to provide energy. Through his degree in engineering at UBC, Mathew hopes to gain the knowledge and skill to create healthier and sustainable sources of energy for people in his community, as well as acquiring resources that will enable him to promote peace in his society.