By Charmaine Ndlela
ActionSA president and Johannesburg mayoral candidate Herman Mashaba has urged South African graduates to apply for a scholarship that cuts annual tuition fees by €15,000 for selected master’s programmes in Austria.
Click here: Herman Mashaba scholarship
Applications for the 2027 Herman Mashaba Scholarship at MCI | The Entrepreneurial School in Innsbruck close on 31 March 2027.
Successful applicants will pay a reduced tuition fee of €1,500 for their first year of study. The €15,000 award is applied as a tuition-fee reduction and cannot be redeemed for cash.
Speaking to Inside Education, Mashaba encouraged aspiring postgraduate students to take advantage of the opportunity.
“Education is the future of any nation. I really hope that South Africans will take advantage of this opportunity because MCI is one of the best business schools in Europe. It is a privilege to study at such an institution,” he said.
Mashaba said the scholarship originated after he was invited to deliver guest lectures at MCI several years ago. Instead of accepting payment for his speaking engagements, he said, the institution established a scholarship in his name for South African students.
“I was invited to speak there a few years ago and, as part of my reward, the university decided to establish this scholarship. Every year they take two South African students, which is really commendable,” he said.
Mashaba said the university independently managed the selection process to protect its academic integrity.
“I have deliberately stayed away from the selection process because I am not an academic. The university has professionals who assess the applications and interviews to ensure that deserving students with the greatest potential are selected,” Mashaba said.
Applicants are assessed on their academic record, motivation and prospects of successfully completing their studies.
The scholarship is available for selected programmes, including Biotechnology; International Business and Management; International Business and Law; Entrepreneurship and Tourism; Environmental, Process and Energy Engineering; Management, Communication and IT; International Health and Social Management; Mechatronics – Smart Technologies; Medical and Sports Technologies; and MBA General Management.
The scholarship may be renewed for subsequent years, subject to academic performance and engagement. Different conditions may apply to the MBA General Management programme.
Prospective recipients must first apply for admission to an eligible MCI programme before submitting a scholarship application.
They must provide a motivation letter explaining their commitment to entrepreneurship, society and good governance, how studying at MCI supports their career goals and why they require financial assistance.
Applicants must also submit a curriculum vitae, degree certificates, proof of language proficiency, a passport copy and documentation showing their South African background.
Mashaba said recipients were not required by him to return to South Africa after completing their studies.
“We don’t place any conditions on what students must do after graduation. One of the recipients is currently teaching English in Japan. What they do afterwards is entirely their decision,” he said.
However, he expressed hope that the skills and knowledge gained abroad would ultimately contribute to South Africa’s development.
“We hope that those who receive this education will, in the long term, benefit our country. If we are not going to educate our young people, then we have no future,” Mashaba said.
Mashaba also said he had personally committed to assisting successful students if they faced additional funding needs.
“The scholarship covers up to €15,000, which includes boarding, lodging and some travel costs. If there is any shortfall, I have pledged that I am available to help cover it,” he said.
Applicants may apply for more than one eligible master’s programme but must provide a separate motivation for each application.
