Worth more than $156,000 USD, the Pershing Square Scholarship at the University of Oxford Saïd Business School is one of the most prestigious and largest awards available at the university. This year, it went to Tim Krupa, a 1+1 MBA student who is combining his MBA with a master’s degree in public policy (MPP). Krupa is the first Canadian to receive the award.
Behind the award is Krupa’s passion to improve the world through economic empowerment and inclusion. Prior to coming to Oxford Saïd for his 1+1 MBA, Krupa worked as an aide to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudea, leading youth, sport, and disabilities policy. Now, Krupa hopes to spend the next two years learning how to confront challenges and solve problems at the global level. 
In a news release, Krupa talked about the scholarship as well as his plans for the future.
“If you are motivated to study business because you want to help solve world-scale problems, I think the Pershing Square Scholarship is the best opportunity out there,’” he said. “The world’s problems are so complicated, they won’t be solved individually by business, governments, or NGOs. There’s no shortage of great ideas that can change the world. The harder part is actually implementing them, and that requires thoughtful leaders who will improve our institutions. This is a challenge that drives me.”
That challenge was one of the drivers behind Krupa’s decision to attend Oxford Saïd. As one of the most international degree programs in the world, Krupa felt Oxford would provide him with the necessary diversity to make the most of his learning, decision-making, and leadership training.
As for post-graduation, Krupa is open to a range of possibilities, including returning to politics. “The fact that the Prime Minister’s message of cultural diversity and inclusion resonated so well, not just in Canada but around the world, is a source of hope for me. It’s easy to get cynical today, but despite all the challenges in the world, I believe politics and policy can still be tremendous forces for good,” he said.
What Is the Pershing Square Scholarship?
The Pershing Square Scholarship—awarded each year to up to five Oxford Saïd 1+1 MBA students—provides funding for tuition, college fees, and living expenses for both the master’s degree and MBA year. It also provides recipients with mentorship and unique networking opportunities, including receptions and meetings with the dean, faculty, and other MBA scholars. In addition, recipients have the option of attending a spring “trek” to New York City to participate in meetings and workshops with leading innovators and change makers.
How to Apply
To be considered for a Pershing Square Scholarship, individuals must demonstrate academic achievement; leadership potential; strong personal character, integrity, and commitment; an intentional to addressing global social challenges in your career; and the ability to achieve scalable, sustainable solutions to such challenges. Interested applicants should highlight these attributes—as well as how the Oxford 1+1 MBA will allow them to fulfill their objectives—as part of their MBA application, scholarship essay, and interview answers.
Applications to the 1+1 MBA must be submitted by March 2018 to be considered for the scholarship. (The school notes that that some partnering master’s programs close their applications in January 2018 and others in March 2018.) In addition to the master’s degree and MBA applications, applicants for the scholarship must submit an essay of no more than 500 words addressing this question: “How do you intend to change the world? What does this tell us about you as a person?’”
