World Deaf Leadership (WDL) Scholars
2023 WDL Scholarship Winners
The World Deaf Leadership (WDL) Scholarship allows deaf and hard-of-hearing leaders from developing nations to attend Gallaudet University. The scholarship aims to empower selected individuals through the knowledge, skills, and aspirations that higher education brings so that they can make significant contributions to their deaf community and nation. WDL is funded by the Nippon Foundation of Tokyo, Japan, and was first awarded in 2003. Since then, more than 20 WDL Scholarships have been awarded.
The scholarship covers tuition, room, board, and medical insurance and provides an annual stipend for expenses such as books, supplies, laundry service, personal products, and local transportation.
Additional support for a WDL Scholar includes mentorship from a member of the Gallaudet University faculty and an internship in the scholar’s home country.
When WDL Scholars graduate from Gallaudet, they must return home and work towards improving the lives of deaf people through education, advocacy, and partnering with different people and organizations.
In 2023, three scholarships were awarded. Below are the recipients who will begin their studies in the fall semester.
Binta will join Gallaudet’s Master of Arts in International Development (IDMA). Binta is an acclaimed leader and advocate of Deaf women’s rights in The Gambia. She is also an entrepreneur who employs Deaf women.
Phanita is a leader of the national association of the deaf in Laos, and the education she will gain from Gallaudet will greatly enhance her leadership skills. Phanita will join Gallaudet’s undergraduate programs to study business administration.
Biruk is a teacher of the deaf and also works with the Addis Ababa branch of the National Association of the Deaf in Ethiopia. Biruk will major in Business Administration.
The World Deaf Leadership (WDL) Scholarship allows deaf and hard-of-hearing leaders from developing nations to attend Gallaudet University. The scholarship aims to empower selected individuals through the knowledge, skills, and aspirations that higher education brings so that they can make significant contributions to their deaf community and nation. WDL is funded by the Nippon Foundation of Tokyo, Japan, and was first awarded in 2003. Since then, more than 20 WDL Scholarships have been awarded.
The scholarship covers tuition, room, board, and medical insurance and provides an annual stipend for expenses such as books, supplies, laundry service, personal products, and local transportation.
Additional support for a WDL Scholar includes mentorship from a member of the Gallaudet University faculty and an internship in the scholar’s home country.
When WDL Scholars graduate from Gallaudet, they must return home and work towards improving the lives of deaf people through education, advocacy, and partnering with different people and organizations.
In 2023, three scholarships were awarded. Below are the recipients who will begin their studies in the fall semester.
Binta will join Gallaudet’s Master of Arts in International Development (IDMA). Binta is an acclaimed leader and advocate of Deaf women’s rights in The Gambia. She is also an entrepreneur who employs Deaf women.
Phanita is a leader of the national association of the deaf in Laos, and the education she will gain from Gallaudet will greatly enhance her leadership skills. Phanita will join Gallaudet’s undergraduate programs to study business administration.
Biruk is a teacher of the deaf and also works with the Addis Ababa branch of the National Association of the Deaf in Ethiopia. Biruk will major in Business Administration.