World Deaf Leadership Scholarship

The WDL Scholarship makes it possible for deaf and hard of hearing leaders from developing nations to attend Gallaudet University. WDL aims to empower selected individuals through the knowledge, skills, and aspirations that a higher education brings so that they can make significant contributions to their deaf community and nation. WDL is funded by the Nippon Foundation of Tokyo, Japan. Since making its first award in 2003, 24 WDL Scholarships have been awarded. See them here.

The scholarship covers tuition, room, board, and medical insurance, and provides an annual stipend for expenses such as books, supplies, laundry service, personal products, and local transportation.

Additional support for a WDL Scholar includes mentorship from a member of the Gallaudet University faculty and an internship in the scholar’s home country.

When WDL Scholars graduate from Gallaudet, they must return home and work towards improving the lives of deaf people through education, advocacy, and partnering with different people and organizations.

The World Deaf Leadership Scholarship is funded by the Nippon Foundation of Tokyo, Japan. Since making its first award in 2003, 24 WDL scholarships have been awarded. The following are past and current recipients of the award: 

Currently enrolled and pursuing studies: 

Phanina Maiphone – (2023) 
Country: Laos.
Field of Study: Deaf Studies and Business Administration 

Biruk Gizaw – (2023) 
Country: Ethiopia.
Field of Study: Social Work 

Binta Badjie – (2023) 
Country: The Gambia.
Field of Study: International development 

Aanuoluwapo Omoleye – (2023) 
Country: Nigeria.
Field of Study: International Development 

Past WDL Recipients who completed their studies and returned to home country: 

Olebogeng Mosobea – (2022) 
Country: Botswana.
Field of Study: Social Work 

Kwadwo Addo-Toah – (2021) 
Country: Ghana.
Field of Study: Public Administration 

Phieter Angdika – (2021) 
Country: Indonesia.
Field of Study: Sign Language Education 

Andrés Jorge Martínez Castiblanco – (2019)
Country: Colombia.
Field of Study: Linguistics 

Raphael Vergel de Dios Domingo – (2017)
Country: Philippines.
Field of Study: Linguistics 

Olufemi Olaolu Ige – (2017) 
Country: Nigeria.
Field of Study: International Development and Public Administration 

Hanan Mohsen Ebrahim Aly – (2013) 
Country: Egypt.
Field of Study: Government and Public Affairs 

Thuy Tien Nguyen – (2013) 
Country: Vietnam.
Field of Study: Sign Language Education 

Ke Hu – (2012) 
Country: China.
Field of Study: American Sign Language (ASL) and Linguistics 

Anna Arce – (2012) 
Country: Philippines.
Field of Study: Deaf Studies., Cultural Studies 

Arjun Shrestha – (2011) 
Country: Nepal.
Field of Study: Deaf Education and Deaf Studies 

Vee Yee Chong – (2011) 
Country: Malaysia.
Field of Study: Deaf Studies with Concentration in Cultural Studies 

Krishneer Sen – (2010) 
Country: Fiji.
Field of Study: Computer Information Systems 

Benjamin Dana Diara – (2009) 
Country: Mali.
Field of Study: Government and Deaf Education with a minor in Linguistics 

Namiraa Baljinnyam – (2008) 
Country: Mongolia.
Field of Study: Special Education 

Jacob Ireri – (2007) 
Country: Kenya.
Field of Study: International Development 

Jiayi Zhou – (2007) 
Country: China.
Field of Study: International Development for Persons with Disabilities 

Rian Gayle – (2005) 
Country: Jamaica.
Field of Study: International Development 

Kaneng Rose Kwandi – (2004) 
Country: Nigeria.
Field of Study: Deaf Education 

Nickson O. Kakiri – (2003) 
Country: Kenya.
Field of Study: Government / International Development