DR Kapil Narain has been awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship to pursue a Doctor of Philisophy (DPhil) Degree at Oxford University in 2023.
The Durban North resident says it is a great honour to have been selected for something this big.
“Oxford is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, and it’s been one of my goals to study there for many years now, so when I saw the scholarship advertised, I decided to apply. It’s an absolute honour to be selected because it tests me on all the work that I’ve been doing, from high school and medical school to activism and leadership. It’s an opportunity to do more. I want to try to maximise the opportunity and whatever I have gained there, and try to bring skills back to South Africa to make it better.
Also read: Locals residents pick their winners for Qatar World Cup
“I think being a part of that university and being part of an environment where you engage and network with global leaders and academics, being trained in science, being trained in world-class facilities, it does provide you with a sense of rigour. You gain a lot of experience and expertise so although you can do many of these degrees at other universities, I think a lot of the institutions at Oxford are leaders in their fields and doing groundbreaking work,” said Kapil.
The multi-award-winning youth leader said he is still finding it hard to fathom the outcome yielded by the process.
“The process was rigorous and intense – from the interview to submitting academic references, character references and submitting an essay as to why I want to study at Oxford. It was a bit nerve-racking because they only called around 20:30 or 21:00 at night to inform me that I had been selected.
Also read: Durban Symphonic Choir brings the festive spirit
“At first, it was almost unbelievable. I kept asking myself if I’d heard them correctly. Even now, it’s still sinking in, and I think it will only change next year when I go there,” he said.
Asked what advise he would give to someone wanting to pursue medicine or study at Oxford, he said people must not give up on their dreams.
“I would say, no dream is big enough – the sky is the limit as cliché as it sounds. Essentially, I never thought I’d end up like this. I was just passionate about various things while growing up, and I pursued my passion, which I think is what people should do. It’s important to find what really sets you alight and really go with that – you may end up in places you never imagined. I think it’s important to never allow people or society to tell you you can’t do something – go for it.
Also read: Umhlanga Rocks Surf Lifesaving duo shine at World Champs
“I think when it comes to scholarships, people tend to reject themselves first, and that’s the worst thing because you’re not giving yourself a chance. If you’re not trying, you’re automatically failing,” he said.
Kapil is no stranger to getting recognition for his hard work. The One World Ambassador is a recipient of Discovery’s Best Emerging Leader Award in 2018, a recipient of the Abe Bailey Travel Bursary in 2019, is one of Mail and Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans, where he was the youngest in the Health Category, and has received a leadership award from Operation Smile South Africa as part of their Taskforce in 2021. He was also selected to publish an editorial in the Official Journal of the World Health Organisation (WHO), and The Bulletin, and was the winner of the Rising Star Award as an inaugural recipient – awarded by the South African Clinical Scientists Society in 2021.
For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also follow us on Instagram.
