Dr. Taiwo is a Nigerian native and came to the United States (U.S.) for his Ph.D. education in Chemical Engineering at the University of Arkansas, the flagship university of the southern state. After finishing his doctoral program, he started working as a senior hydrogen specialist at Shell USA, the American branch of Dutch Royal Shell, which is one of the largest oil producers worldwide. Although Dr. Taiwo has had a successful career in the U.S., he has always remembered the disadvantages that many young people face in poor countries. This compassion prompted him to establish the Michael Taiwo Scholarship in 2019. The ultimate goal of the scholarships is to empower academically brilliant yet financially disadvantaged students from developing countries. The scholarships provide crucial support and comprehensive mentorship for these students to enable them to obtain graduate studies in prestigious institutions worldwide.
The scholarships cover exam fees, application costs, and other experiences for a total average amount of around $ 1,000for each student. Besides the financial support, the scholarships also provide other crucial programs, including student mentorship through exam preparation, essay writing, school selection, and visa interviews. The students are immersed in the support of the global network of professionals. Over the years, Dr. Taiwo’s initiative has received over 30,000 applications, and 170 scholarships have been awarded. These scholarships have changed the lives of many students in disadvantaged circumstances by helping them enter elite universities, including Stanford University, Yale University, Cornell University, and others.
Looking forward, Dr. Taiwo aims to expand his initiative’s reach, increase the scholarship award numbers, and continue supporting scholars through a sustainable network that fosters educational and professional growth. Besides his work in helping students in poor countries, he is an enthusiastic advocate of green technologies and clean energy. He decided to quit his corporate lofty job several years ago to become an independent advisor for firms looking to integrate hydrogen into their energy mix. Dr. Taiwo supports the Operational Excellence of Hydrogen Refueling Infrastructure that, in returnhelps corporations generate positive cash flow.
Author:Bao Hoang, Ph.D.
