Honorary Doctorate for WTI CEO David Masua
Windle Trust International is delighted to announce that our CEO, David Masua, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by the University of Reading, UK on the 18th of July 2024. This honour recognises David’s remarkable contributions to education in East Africa, particularly in supporting refugees and displaced individuals.
David is not only the CEO of Windle Trust International (WTI) but also a proud WTI alumnus. David received support for his education from the Hugh Pilkington Charitable Trust, the charity which rebranded its operational activities as WTI from 2001, enabling him to continue his undergraduate studies. This opportunity was a turning point in his life, paving the way for his future achievements.
On the 18th of July 2024, David Masua, CEO of Windle Trust International was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Reading, in recognition of his services to education.
In 2007, David was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarships Commission scholarship as a scholar on the WTI Postgraduate Programme. Studying for a Master’s in Education and Training for Development at the University of Reading, David focused his thesis on South Sudan’s educational problems, particularly investigating the challenges of changing the language of instruction in schools. His time at Reading equipped him with essential skills and knowledge, which he has since used to drive significant educational initiatives in South Sudan and beyond.
Upon graduating from the UK in 2008, David quickly took on leadership roles in WTI. In 2011, he became the Country Director for South Sudan, where he led efforts to improve education in a country emerging from conflict. One of his key achievements was developing the South Sudan Primary Level English Language Policy Framework in 2015, helping to transition the language of instruction from Arabic to English. He directly applied his research from the University of Reading to influence the implementation of national policy.
In 2020, David became Windle Trust International’s CEO, responsible for WTI’s operations globally. Under David’s leadership, WTI has significantly expanded its reach. From 2021 to 2023, WTI’s work supported 492,866 primary and secondary school girls to enrol and stay in school in South Sudan. In 2023 alone, the organisation supported 516,387 school children, assisted 1,077 schools and offered training for more than 9,000 teachers.
David pioneered the Accelerated Secondary Education Programme (ASEP) in South Sudan, addressing the critical challenge of teacher qualification. His broader initiatives have also unlocked the expansion of tertiary-level educational opportunities for refugees and displaced individuals in East Africa. Recognising the benefits that these opportunities brought to his own life and community, David led the drive to create a more sustainable and Africa-centric scholarships model, launching the James Aryam Scholarships in Uganda in 2023.
The James Aryam Scholarship Programme parallels WTI’s historic Master’s scholarships programme, which has brought students to the UK since 1977. In an era where scholarship funding is increasingly difficult to source and places were dwindling, this initiative increased Master’s placements at WTI from 12 in 2022-2023 to 27 in 2023-2024.
Dr David Masua speaking to the inaugural batch of James Aryam Scholarship students at their leadership conference in 2024
Outside of his work with WTI, David became a trustee for Medair in 2022. Medair is a humanitarian organization dedicated to providing emergency relief and recovery services to vulnerable populations affected by natural disasters, conflicts, and other crises. He is also a proud father and is generously supported in his work by his wife, Elizabeth, whose unwavering support and dedication deserve much credit and recognition.
David Masua’s recognition by the University of Reading is a testament to his dedication and the positive impact he has had on education in East Africa. Windle Trust International congratulates David on this well-deserved honour and looks forward to continuing to support his efforts to expand educational opportunities for all.