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SOAS University of London and the Hyundai Motor Group are working together to promote sustainable development in a new agreement aimed at broadening collaborative efforts to nurture future generations in Africa. 

Starting this year, the Group’s £1.5m donation will support 25 Masters and PhD students from Africa to study at SOAS. This network and collaboration scholarship model aims to support the next generation of changemakers beyond their studies as they apply their expertise to careers across the African continent.  

These scholarship recipients will receive transformational support and be invited to participate in various networking events and seminars hosted by the Group after completing their studies. A Junior Internship Program for undergraduate and Masters students from Africa at SOAS will also be launched.

Our partnership with the Hyundai Motor Group helps build capacity for the next generation of leaders to develop the skills and vision to create sustainable and positive change. 

SOAS Vice Chancellor Professor Adam Habib said: “Widening the opportunity for students in the global south to access a SOAS education, both in London and with our partners in the majoritarian world, is central to our mission. Scholarships in both cases have a transformational impact, for the individual and for the society around them. Our partnership with the Hyundai Motor Group helps build capacity for the next generation of leaders to develop the skills and vision to create sustainable and positive change. We are grateful to the Group for their ongoing support of SOAS and look forward to working together to nurture talent from Africa.” 

Photo L-R: Simon Hetherington, Commercial Director, Kia UK; Ashley Andrew, President & CEO, Hyundai Motor UK; Heung-Soo Kim, Executive Vice President & Head of Global Strategy Office, Hyundai Motors Group; SOAS Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Habib; Dean of College Professor Elisa Van Waeyenberge and Co-Director of the Development Leadership Dialogue Institute Professor Chris Cramer attending the signing ceremony on 10 February 2025.

Heung-Soo Kim, Executive Vice President and head of the Global Strategy Office (GSO) at Hyundai Motor Group said: “Hyundai Motor Group has established the Development Leadership Dialogue (DLD) and Centre for Sustainable Structural Transformation (CSST) in collaboration with SOAS to gain a fundamental understanding of Africa and is seeking a collaboration model for a desirable future on the continent.  

“As part of our commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders who will drive sustainable development in Africa, Hyundai Motor Group is establishing a scholarship program to nurture the future generations of the continent.” 

The Group has previously established the DLD Institute, a forum for discussions among leaders in the development community, as well as the CSST, a research centre focused on structural transformation in the context of the climate crisis at SOAS. It aims to cultivate experts for sustainable development in Africa during this transformative period in the global economy and will continue to establish long-term collaboration models for the next generation of Africa.