Our scholarship holders
Essence Ene Ujah
My name is Essence Ene Ujah. I am a Nigerian who is an ardent advocate of social justice and women empowerment. I have a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in philosophy from Benue State University Makurdi, Nigeria and University of Ibadan, Nigeria respectively. Prior to the completion of my master’s program, I was offered a tutoring position at the university of Ibadan, Nigeria where I have taught Philosophy, Logic and Critical Thinking for three years.
Religious Belief
I was born into a catholic family and became a member of the Mary League at age eight. I grew up with a genuine love for God and a desire to serve in the church. I actively served God on campus while in the university and I am currently an ordained pastor. During my National Youth Service, I served as a Sister Coordinator of the Nigerian Christian Corpers' Fellowship (NCCF) in Surulere LGA, Oyo state, Nigeria. I believe in the unity of the church and that every Christian should serve God genuinely irrespective of their denomination.
Humanitarian Work
I am passionate about providing quality education for children in underserved communities and also empowering women. As a result of this, I joined the Teach for Nigeria fellowship in 2022 and worked directly with children in underserved communities for two years, ensuring that they have access to quality education by teaching and sensitizing them, and providing them with free school uniforms and learning materials. I also co-founded Stitch-2-Educate Women Empowerment Foundation, an award winning non-governmental Organization that provides vocational training and start up equipment to women in low-income communities.
Doctoral Program
As part of the Sophia Institute Innsbruck - International Fellowship Program for Female Leadership, I will be pursuing my Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in philosophy at the Faculty of Catholic Theology, University of Innsbruck, Austria.
I will be researching on “The Influence of Social Identity on Epistemic Credibility”. Through this research, I will be unearthing and addressing the biases that exists in social relations particularly when making epistemic judgments. These biases which often lead to epistemic injustice, potentially affect human wellbeing in general.
Supervisor:
Prof. Katherine Dormandy
Sr. Arul Rosy Rabella George
I am deeply passionate about proclaiming the Word of God. Although I hold a Master’s degree in Mathematics and have worked as a Mathematics teacher, my spiritual calling led me to pursue a Licentiate in Biblical Studies in Pune, India. Inspired by the esteemed University of Innsbruck and supported by the Sophia Project, I am now undertaking my doctoral studies here. Driven by a strong desire to empower and uplift women within the Church, I am wholeheartedly committed to my mission.
Empowering Marginalized Communities through Education: My Transformative Experience
My experience working with tribal communities in Chintapalli, Andhra Pradesh, was both heartwarming and challenging. As part of the congregational mission, I was dedicated to uplifting the poor and marginalized through education. Despite the risks, including the presence of Naxalite children, our school in the mountains became a beacon of hope. I also had the opportunity to work as a Youth Incharge in a parish school in Tamil Nadu, where I learned the value of working with and for the people. These experiences not only transformed the lives of others but also profoundly impacted mine.
Congregation Name
Sisters of Charity of St.Anne
The Sisters of Charity of Saint Anne is a religious congregation established in Zaragoza, Spain, in 1804 by Father Juan Bonal and Mother María Rafols. Renowned for their commitment to education and healthcare, they focus especially on aiding the poor and marginalized. Their guiding charism is expressed through the principles of “love without frontiers” and “contemplation in action.”
Country
India in Tamil Nadu
Qualification
MSc Mathematics, Licentiate in Sacred Scripture
Dissertation Topic
“Go to My Brothers”: Mary Magdalene’s Commission as a Divine Mandate for Women’s Ministry in the 21st-Century Church
An Exegetical and Theological Study of John 20:1-18
Guide
Prof. Dr. Boris Repschinski SJ (New Testament Studies)
Sr. Mirian Uchechi Anyanwu
I belong to the Congregation of the Daughters of Charity of the Most Precious Blood and I am a Nigerian. The desire to serve God and humanity began at my tender age. At my younger age, I was an active member of both the Mary league and the Catholic youth Organization at both the Parish and Diocesan level.
Educational Background
Few years after my first profession in Nigeria, I was missioned to work in Italy. While there, I was given the opportunity to study at the Superior Institute of Religious Sciences Mater Ecclesiae, where I earned both Bachelors and Licentiate Degrees in Religious Sciences. And subsequently a Licentiate Degree in Moral Theology at Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Angelicum in Rome.
Apostolates
Upon completion of my studies in Italy, I returned to Nigeria where I worked for a year in a Secondary School and later on, I was called upon to work at both the Dominican Institute and SS Peter and Paul Major Seminary in Ibadan Nigeria.
Doctoral Studies
By God’s gracious providence and care, I am admitted to study at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Innsbruck, through the Sofia Institute. It is an opportunity to seek a deeper preparation in Theological Scholarship in the area of Moral Theology. With my research topic;
“A Theological-Ethical study of the problem of Infertility and the proliferation of Orphanages in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria.”
I envision doing a theological work that addresses the Socio-political, Cultural, Economic and Religious/Ethical concerns of Women and Girls. Engaging questions of Infertility and Responses to Infertility, including the proliferation of Orphanages in Southeastern Nigeria is one of such timely topics.
Supervisor
Professor. Dr. Stephan Hofman SJ.