By Gerald Besa Mambwe
When a Zambian alumnus of the University of Zambia (UNZA) first walked through the gates of Great East Road campus in 2019, she carried more than a backpack and a set of books she carried a dream.
A dream that education could be the bridge between where she was and where she hoped to be. A dream that curiosity, discipline, and purpose could open doors far beyond imagination.
That dream has since led Diana Becca Mwala to the hallowed halls of University of Oxford, the world’s number one university according to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025.
Today, Diana stands at the threshold of yet another milestone graduating with a distinction in Master of Science (MSc) in Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation (EBSIPE), a feat she describes as “both intellectually demanding and deeply transformative.”
“From dreams to degrees, the past 12 months at the University of Oxford have been both intellectually demanding and deeply transformative,” she reflects.
Her academic journey began at UNZA, where she graduated top of her Social Work class in 2023. Her passion for social policy, evidence-based research, and community transformation ignited her relentless pursuit of academic excellence.
“After graduating, I went on a rampage of scholarship applications, and by God’s grace, I landed a place as a 2024 Rhodes Scholar from Zambia,” she shares.
That single achievement would change her life forever, propelling her into the globally competitive and intellectually stimulating environment of Oxford’s Department of Social Policy and Intervention.
For her Master’s thesis, Diana tackled one of humanity’s most pressing challenges and that is climate change and social protection.
Her study, titled “Do Climate-Related Anticipatory Cash Transfers Improve Household Food Security and Child Nutrition Outcomes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries?” explored how proactive financial support can help vulnerable families prepare for climate shocks before they occur.
“I am pleased to share that my thesis was awarded a distinction and that I will be graduating with distinction overall,” she says.
Credit: Gerald Besa Mambwe (Page)