Peter Williams

St Cross College 2007, MSc in African Studies

I am Founder and Executive Director of international charity ARCHIVE (www.archiveinstitute.org)

I chose the MSC in African Studies because obtaining a world class education was paramount, and the course explored the issues that my charity deals with: aid dependency, governance, development, geo-politics and health systems. The degree is a great introduction for anyone interested in thinking critically about a globalised world.

The African continent is ripe with opportunities. There is an abundance of hope, renewed optimism and abundant investment in human capital. It is important to see it differently from the negative headlines about political strife, famine and poverty.

I developed immensely over the course of my degree. It was intellectually quite challenging but equally rewarding. Since leaving Oxford I have worked for the World Bank and been part of a UN consultancy team. I have the developed the confidence to evidence a greater understanding of the complex underpinnings which inform the need for my work.

The Oxford colleges are intimate, focused, supportive, and unique.

I recommend the experience highly and without reservation as probably the best physical and cultural environment in which to rigorously engage with new knowledge.