A recent partnership between the Diamond Empowerment Fund and the Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) has yielded the first in a series of DEF scholarships. The fund was developmentally inspired by Nelson Mandela, who embraced and bolstered the company's mission to show how Africa's diamonds were instrumental in helping to maintain a healthy and beneficial economy on the continent, as well as the promotion of educational pursuits.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Mandela Institute for Development Studies and to continue the legacy of giving back to the very communities where diamonds are found,” said DEF President Anna Martin in a statement to National Jeweler. Martin is also the Senior Vice President of GIA.
Further scholarships will be revealed in the coming months, as this initial one will be issued to a post-grad student of a diamond producing country. The earner of the scholarship will be involving themselves in a field of study that aims to provide the African community with a better quality of life. The implementation of this scholarship also falls on the same year as Nelson Mandela's 100th birthday, which will be celebrated at the Mandela Peace Summit this month on the opening of the UN General Assembly.
