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  1. HKR
  2. Master of Science in Accounting and Auditing for...
  3. Sustainable development goals attracted international students
  1. HKR
  2. Master of Science in...
  3. Sustainable development...

Sustainable development goals attracted international students

Five international students from Africa arrived in Kristianstad for a master's degree in business and administration. They all got a scholarship from the Swedish Institute and they all stress that they were attracted by the UN sustainable development goals being integrated in their choice of education. Meet two of them: Elvis from Zimbabwe and Omowunmi from Nigeria.

Five african students sitting on campus.International students with SI scholarship, from left: Oluwatosin Aromokun, Gertrude Toezay, Edgar Asiimwe, Elvis Mukogo and Omowunmi Ayinde.

What attracted you to Sweden, and why Kristianstad?

“Sweden seems to be an open country for any race and any nationality. The education system here is rated highly and everybody here speaks English,” Elvis Mukogo, 32 years old from Zimbabwe, says and continues.

“Kristianstad is a small upcoming university with integrated sustainable development goals [the UN global SDG]. At my previous job I felt that if I take a course which integrates the SGD:s it will enhance my chances and help me.”

“It’s also a small campus here where we have access to our lecturers and can interact with them closely.”

“Yes, that is very important for me too,” confirms Omowunmi Ayinde, 43 years old from Nigeria. “Also, that Kristianstad is a small and modern city, but still quiet and peaceful. I’m not fond of big cities with lots of distractions.”

“It’s also a small campus here where we have access to our lecturers and can interact with them closely. And I heard the weather in southern Sweden is also warmer than further north. I have done my homework about you!” Elvis says with a big smile.

What do you think about it so far, both Sweden and Kristianstad?

“I feel very welcomed!” Omowunmi states. “Swedes are a little reserved but very friendly and helpful. I have already made a few new friends in my class and can ask my classmates if I need help.”

“I agree! When we arrived in Copenhagen we didn’t know your system for buying train tickets, but everyone is so friendly and kind, and eager and willing to help you,” Elvis explains. “And since everyone speaks English here, such things aren’t any problem. It’s very easy to integrate with people thanks to that.”

“This education is like the icing on the cake for me—the auditing and control perfectly match. This programme is exactly what I wanted to complement my education with.”

Why did you choose the Master programme in Business Administration?

“I have a bachelor's degree in accounting and have been working in the private sector. I needed to upgrade and enhance myself. I specifically wanted something with practicability. And when I heard about this one-year master’s education it fit perfectly. It encompasses the United Nations’ SDG:s and includes a lot of research and academic writing for us, which I lacked in my bachelor’s. It’s exactly what I was looking for,” declares Elvis.

“I also have my bachelor's in accounting,” Omowunmi joins in. “I have been working in the banking sector, where I did some auditing. So, this education is like the icing on the cake for me—the auditing and control perfectly match. This programme is exactly what I wanted to complement my education with.”

How did you become interested in this field?

“My role model is my father,” relates Omowunmi. “He is a retired chartered accountant, and I have always been fascinated by his work. And banking–I stumbled into banking because I had another role model as well, a CEO of a bank, that was a significant source of inspiration.”

“I have always loved auditing,” Elvis affirms. “When I did my bachelor’s, I realized it was something I wanted to continue with. I have now been working with auditing for four years back home in Zimbabwe. I really like working with accountability and making institutions stronger, be it privately or publicly. We contribute and are important for the society. And with this master’s I will be able to do it better and contribute more.”

African students Omowunmi Ayinde and Elvis Mukogo.Omowunmi Ayinde from Nigeria and Elvis Mukogo from Zimbabwe were both attracted to the education program that incorporates the UN sustainable development goals.

“We’re coming from developing countries, and the key factor we need to develop further is human resource based. To come here to an international platform with highly developed education system and infrastructure I get to learn quite a lot.”

What are your plans for the future?

“In ten years, I'm a corporate boss making decisions that will change the environment for the better. I want to impact the world to become a better place for all of us. Studying in Sweden will give me the essential experience to bring back to my native Nigeria,” Omowunmi explains with a firm voice.

“I too really want to contribute back home,” Elvis continues. “We’re coming from developing countries, and the key factor we need to develop further is human resource based. Coming here to an international platform, with highly developed education system and infrastructure, I get to learn quite a lot. All this I will bring back home to Africa and Zimbabwe.”

How did you hear about the Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals?

“I heard about it from a friend two years ago,” Omowunmi says. “He confirmed that the Swedish education system is sound. And also, that equality and the weather good. So, I thought I'd like to see all this myself.”

“A friend of mine was in this programme before, so my question was, how can I finance it?” says Elvis. “He also mentioned the scholarship option. I researched the scholarship website and thought that I could fit into that category. It’s not easy and I spent some sleepless night working with my application, so I was very happy when they announced I was approved. I feel so motivated! It’s a very prestigious scholarship. It’s a huge honour for me to have been among the few selected.”

How was it making this decision to study abroad during a pandemic?

“It wasn’t easy,” Elvis recalls. “Of course, you’re a little afraid when you’re on a flight for so many hours. But this pandemic has also taught us that we can’t put our lives on hold completely. We don’t know when it will be over. Sweden has a very good health system, so I wasn’t worried about that. When I got the scholarship, I just had to go. I will soon get my first dose of vaccine and I’m very grateful for that.

“I feel secure,” Omowunmi declares. “I knew that most people in Sweden are fully vaccinated, and I would be too soon, thanks to the offer of vaccines to students.”

Text and photo: Fabian Rimfors

Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals

Do you have the ambition to become a future leader within the sustainable development on a global platform? Then you might be who we are looking for. Global Professionals is a highly sought after, fully-funded international scholarship programme for master's studies in Sweden.

Extern

Sustainablilty and PRME

Kristianstad University is PRME Champions which means that sustainability, related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, is integrated into the education.

Global Swede of the year wants to make the banking more transparent

She has worked hard to achieve her goals and exceeded in meeting the challenging demands and expectations placed on a master's student. Yet, she doesn’t focus just on herself — giving her attention to her fellow students as well. For those reasons, and because of her ambition to continually develop and grow, student Heba Elkadi received the Global Swede award during a digital ceremony by the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

A scholarship for a master’s degree helped her reclaim her future

Aisha Sanni came to Sweden to further her education at Kristianstad University because she wanted to advance her career. She gained a new level of confidence.

The studies gave me greater knowledge and confidence

Ardian Lokaj, born in Kosovo, hadn't heard of Kristianstad University before. But he decided to give it a chance and applied for the Master programme in Business Administration, specialising in Auditing and Control. He hopes that this year of intense studies will open the door to a broader labor market.

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Updated: 2021-09-13 by Sofia Johansson

Page responsible: Jakob Nord

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Kristianstad University is part of the COLOURS European University Alliance, a partnership with eight other European universities.

Colours logo.

Contact

E-mail: info@hkr.se

Phone: +46 (0)44-2503000

More contact information

How to get here

In case of emergency
In case of emergency, call 112
The university's security guards:
+46 (0)44-2503650

Shortcuts

  • Canvas Learning platform
  • Email, log in
  • Student portal
  • About cookies
  • Accessibility
© Kristianstad University 2025