The Afrique Students Association has been an important part of student life at the Institute for several years now. How is ASA currently contributing to the student experience for members?
ASA continues to actively enrich the student experience by fostering a community that is both engaging and supportive. At its core, ASA seeks to provide a space that is fun, safe, and welcoming, where members can unwind and connect socially, while also serving as a forum for meaningful and timely conversations on issues that matter to our community. To achieve this, ASA actively listens to its members and responds to their interests and needs. Events and initiatives are designed based on student feedback and through direct engagement with our members, ensuring that the programming reflects both their desires for social connection and their need for substantive dialogue. By balancing enjoyable activities with opportunities for reflection and discussion, ASA strives to create an environment where students feel supported, connected, and empowered throughout their time at the Institute.
What kind of activities and events does ASA have coming up for the 2025-2026 academic year?
In the coming months, ASA is placing a strong emphasis on fostering connection and strengthening our community through a series of enriching events and activities. This month, we will host a Movie Night and Potluck, followed in November by our Beats of Africa Party (an ASA tradition) and a Poetry Night in collaboration with QISA and Vivian E., an alumna of the Institute. As we look ahead to the new year, we are also preparing for the 2026 Africa Summit, where we aim to facilitate meaningful dialogue with experts and scholars on the current realities and future of Africa. These are our plans to date, and we also aim to collaborate with other initiatives across the Institute to expand our range of events.
ASA has launched a remarkable mentorship programme to support Africans and people of African descent who are interested in applying to study at the Institute — can you tell us more about what inspired its launch?
The ASA Graduate Mentorship Program was launched last year, and as a first-year representative, I had the privilege of supporting one of our former co-directors, Unyime Eyo, in the establishment of this initiative. The programme was conceived from a shared understanding within ASA of how complex and, at times, daunting the graduate application process can be, particularly for students applying to institutions abroad.
It was important for us to create a platform that extends the support we wish we had during our own application journeys. Drawing on the insights and experience we gained throughout that process, we sought to assist those now navigating similar paths. The programme provides tailored mentorship to prospective applicants interested in pursuing master’s and doctoral studies at the Geneva Graduate Institute. Mentors offer guidance on key aspects of the application process, including academic preparation, personal statements, and letters of recommendation, while also helping applicants identify research areas that align with their goals and explore funding opportunities such as scholarships.
At its core, the initiative embodies a commitment to build a culture of mutual support and empowerment by using our collective experience to make the process more accessible for future African applicants.
What are some of the highlights of the mentorship programme?
The program offers one-on-one mentorship from current students and alumni familiar with the Geneva Graduate Institute’s academic environment and admissions process, personalised feedback on application materials to help applicants submit strong and competitive submissions, and access to a network of alumnae·i who share their experiences as African or African-descent students while providing insights into academic and professional opportunities beyond graduation.
Apply for the ASA Mentorship Programme
Application Deadline: 31st October 2025
On a final note, Haddy, how has ASA enriched your time at the Institute and in Geneva?
Having partially grown up in Geneva and already knowing a few ASA members before joining the Institute, I was eager to reconnect with that community. ASA has revealed a new side of Geneva to me, one rooted in connection, collaboration, and shared experience. It has allowed me to engage with peers from diverse programmes and backgrounds in ways that might not have been possible otherwise, given our different schedules and commitments. Through ASA, I’ve been able to form meaningful friendships, have conversations that will always stick with me and collaborate with others in an inclusive, and supportive environment. This year, we really hope to provide this experience for everyone that would like to join us, showing that ASA is more than an association but also a community.
