Colleges
Ajak Arou Mayom
Mastercard Foundation Scholar
Master of Science in International Health and Tropical Medicine (IHTM), St Cross College
South Sudan
Ajak Arou Mayom is a medical doctor from South Sudan pursuing a Master of Science in International Health and Tropical Medicine at the University of Oxford and is a member of St Cross College.
He was raised in a country devastated by decades of conflict, where war disrupted education and livelihoods. Growing up in Jonglei State, his family was displaced following the destruction of Bor in 1991. After his father joined the liberation struggle, his mother and elder brothers became providers, making tremendous sacrifices to ensure that he received a better education. He began primary school in Bor under a tree, often writing on the ground because classrooms and exercise books were unavailable. In 2007, he moved to Uganda to continue his education and completed the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education in 2016.
Inspired by his family’s resilience and sacrifices, Ajak pursued medicine at Alexandria University in Egypt under government sponsorship, graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in 2024. Beyond academics, he served as President of the South Sudan Students Association in Alexandria and coordinated activities with the African League of Young Masters. He also presented at pre-COP27-29 conferences, highlighting the impacts of climate change in East Africa and collaborating with young leaders across the continent. These experiences strengthened his leadership, communication, and advocacy skills.
After returning to South Sudan, Ajak completed his clinical training at Juba Teaching Hospital, where he managed patients with communicable and non-communicable diseases in a resource-limited health setting. Witnessing preventable maternal and child deaths, shortages of essential medicines, and limited diagnostic services strengthened his commitment to improving healthcare. He also founded Save Life Foundation, an organisation that promotes health education on communicable and non-communicable diseases in schools and communities.
Studying International Health and Tropical Medicine will deepen his expertise in epidemiology, infectious diseases, and health systems strengthening. He hopes to meet new friends and learn new things.