Sustainability and environmental preservation are arguably the most pressing issues we collectively face, and we believe education is key in our race to find solutions. Every two years, we fund a student bursary for a Master of Studies in Sustainability Leadership Scholarship at the University of Cambridge.
Our most recent bursary winner is Shona Buchanan, Director of Global People & Culture Operations at Too Good To Go, a social impact company fighting food waste through a digital marketplace for surplus food.
The two-year bursary aims to support and develop the ‘Game Changing’ sustainability leaders of tomorrow who will drive environmental corporate behaviour where they work and beyond. This is the fifth scholarship we have has funded, and we plan to support more.
The Master of Studies in Sustainability Leadership is a full Master’s degree, delivered part-time over two years for working professionals. The course is part of The Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership’s (CISL) mission to encourage the empowerment of both individuals and organisations in sustainability, giving them the tools and the confidence to tackle critical global challenges.
The Scholarship is fully accredited by the University of Cambridge and is delivered as an interdisciplinary programme by CISL, drawing on an array of academic expertise including the Departments of Engineering, Geography, Land Economy and the Cambridge Judge Business School.
Applicants apply for this Master’s scholarship through the standard University of Cambridge University admissions process. This is then followed by a separate scholarship application letter covering how applicants are aspiring to be future change agents for sustainability and why additional financial support is needed. Shortlisted scholarship applicants were invited for a panel interview.
This year’s recipient of the scholarship is Shona Buchanan, who graduated from the University of Edinburgh with an undergraduate degree in Politics and International Relations in 2015. Shona is the Director of Global People & Culture Operations at Too Good To Go, a social impact company fighting food waste through a digital marketplace for surplus food.
The app that lets people rescue unsold food which would have otherwise gone to waste from a variety of business partners, including supermarkets, shops, restaurants and manufacturers, among others. By partnering with Too Good To Go, businesses can sell their good food, which would have otherwise gone to waste, while consumers can save money by purchasing a 'Surprise Bag' or 'Magic Parcel' at a discounted price.
Our Founder and Managing Director, Mark Jankovich, said:
“Since 2018, the scholarship programme has supported the ‘game changing’ leaders of tomorrow who are committed to tackling global problems and who will drive more sustainable corporate behaviours, in their business ventures and beyond. We are honoured to be able to fund this scholarship as it’s exactly the type of Master’s programme we would want to be aligned to, for so many reasons.
Whilst it’s of major importance for humanity, sustainability also represents a real business opportunity. Many companies which have successfully embedded sustainable practice into their culture have reported reduced overheads, greater customer and staff loyalty, and increased sales.
The particular challenges faced by small enterprises (such as, for instance, the sourcing and procurement of materials, supply chain and waste management) can be daunting for individual companies, but if addressed collectively solutions can be identified and implemented far more easily and effectively.
This collaborative approach leads to the deep-rooted and organic incorporation of sustainability into business culture.”
Shona Buchanan, said:
“I am honoured and delighted to be awarded a scholarship from Delphis Eco to support me in the Master’s in Sustainability Leadership at the University of Cambridge as this scholarship is enabling me to live out something I have been looking to do for several years.
“Within my role at Too Good To Go I lead on our B Corp status and many programmes leading from that, from Diversity, Equality and Inclusion to our carbon accounting and so to be supported by a B Corp company like Delphis Eco is a real honour and means a great deal to me.
