Severio Sebit, 27, was awarded the Dorothy Hodgkin Scholarship, a partnership between the University and the Windle Trust.  Each year Bristol University students, via the Students’ Union ‘Raise & Give’ programme, raise money for the living expenses and accommodation of a scholar, match-funded by the Alumni Foundation.  Last year students raised £9,000 by trekking Kilimanjaro, which they plan to do again this year.  The University of Bristol waives the student’s tuition fees, and the Windle Trust pays the travel.

Severio grew up in the refugee camps of Uganda where he attended secondary school as part of the UN HCR scholarship programme. It was here that Severio first came to the attention of the Windle Trust due to his outstanding grades. The Windle Trust funded Severio's first degree at the University of Makerere, Uganda.  Severio studied BSc Agricultural Economics.  On graduation Severio was able to return to the Sudan where he worked as a financial assistant for the UN Office of Project Services for three years.  Severio's family live in Juba, where he has a wife and young daughter.

On gradation, Severio intends to return to Sudan to help the development of this war ravaged country, working either for the Sudanese Government or an NGO in rebuilding the country.

Speaking about his Scholarship, Severio said: “I am very grateful to the University of Bristol Students' Union and specifically to those members of the Union who dared climb Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for the Scholarship that has brought me to one of the world’s leading universities.  This Scholarship means so much to me as an individual and to Sudan as a country.  I will now be able to contribute enormously to the development of my war-ravaged country that badly lacks professionals in almost every field.  I will also be able to better support my family and ensure education for my siblings and children.”