Marco Adriko: The International Leader of Tomorrow Award at the University of British Columbia

AKA Mombasa’s Class of 2020 received prestigious scholarships worth over USD $6 million to attend reputable universities worldwide. The highly competitive, need and merit-based scholarships are awarded to outstanding students who have shown exceptional academic strength, leadership skills, and involvement in community service, co-curricular activities and student affairs. Over the next few days, we will highlight some of the recipients.

Marco Adriko, who joined the Aga Khan Academy Mombasa in 2014, received the International Leader of Tomorrow (ILOT) Award at the University of British Columbia (UBC) to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree. The scholarship recognises international students who demonstrate leadership skills and community service. It is proportional to one’s financial need and will cater for tuition fees, healthcare and living costs.

Marco Adriko.“I was really dumbstruck and elated! I ran off to tell my parents who were very much excited and proud,” Marco said about the moment he received news of the scholarship. “I also shared the news with my closest friends, but it was only after three days when I properly registered that I had gotten the opportunity of a lifetime.”

Marco, who was the Class of 2020 valedictorian, attributes this honour to the empowering environment cultivated at AKA Mombasa, which he said enabled him to be an all-round student. In his time at the Academy, he exercised his leadership skills by serving as a Residential Captain and honed his public speaking skills by participating in debates and TEDxYouth@AKAMombasa. Moreover, he explored his sporting abilities in hockey and athletics, and participated in school drama productions.

“The Academy showed me that there is more to life than just academics but still instilled in me that ‘more to life’ would be easier to access once balance was achieved holistically. It has culminated into this amazing opportunity, a platform that I can use to influence change in the world  and give back to the community,” Marco said of his experience.

Now on a new journey, Marco is grateful for his enriching experience at the Academy. “I am extremely thankful for everything AKA Mombasa has done for me; for my teachers who pushed me to realise my full potential and supported me through all my phases and endeavours. I will be forever tied and indebted to the school because it has been the biggest contributor to who I am today aside from my parents.”