Kehinde Ojasanya has gone on to achieve rare double scholarship in the US
A graduate of the University of Hull has gone on to achieve a rare double scholarship in the US. Kehinde Ojasanya described himself as “a proud alumnus” of the university’s MSc Flood Risk Management programme.
“It is a story rooted in Hull, shaped by the university, and now making waves across the Atlantic,” he said. “In 2023, I graduated from the University of Hull ’s Energy and Environment Institute, where I studied Flood Risk Management under the guidance of leading experts such as Professor Tom Coulthard and Dr Steven Forrest.
“What makes my story unique is that, from my graduating cohort, I am the only one who went on to secure not just one, but two fully-funded PhD scholarships in the United States, at the University of Vermont and Oklahoma State University. This rare achievement reflects both the academic foundation Hull gave me and the resilience I developed while studying and living in the city.
“Hull was more than just a place of study for me; it was the springboard for everything I am achieving today. I lived in the city for nearly two years, balancing part-time jobs with demanding coursework.
“That period, though challenging, was transformative. It deepened my commitment to tackling environmental problems, an interest rooted in my childhood in a flood-prone, economically disadvantaged neighbourhood in Nigeria, and gave me the skills to pursue solutions on a global scale.”
Kehinde said the knowledge he gained at Hull, particularly in hydraulic and hydrological modelling, enabled him to compete internationally for opportunities. He said: “Today, at the University of Vermont, I work with the Water Treatment & Environmental Nanotechnology group, contributing to cutting-edge research on sustainable water treatment, fate and transport of emerging contaminants like microplastics, and real-time sensing and control of civil infrastructure.
“None of this would have been possible without the solid foundation Hull provided. I remain deeply grateful to the University of Hull, my supervisors, and the city of Hull itself for being a nurturing home during that chapter of my life. It is impossible to tell my life’s story without acknowledging Hull’s pivotal role.”
Kehinde wanted to highlight the global impact of Hull’s academic community. “I would like to show others what is possible and to shine a spotlight on the unique role Hull continues to play in shaping lives and futures.”
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