Utloile

Lighting the Way: Utloile’s Journey from Zimbabwe to UWC Atlantic and Beyond

Utloile, a driven and thoughtful student from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, never imagined he would study at UWC Atlantic in Wales, UK. But thanks to a life-changing scholarship made possible by a fellow Zimbabwean UWC alumnus, he became part of a global community dedicated to education for peace and sustainability.

Since arriving at UWC Atlantic, Utloile has embraced every opportunity to grow, both inside and outside the classroom. Elected Chair of the Student Council, he emerged as a respected student leader and advocate for his peers. He also enrolled in the college’s Systems Transformation Pathway, focusing on energy impact. This academic track allowed him to explore real-world solutions to global challenges and put them into practice.

Through his summer international project, Utloile returned home to Zimbabwe to lead a community initiative in the rural village of Malungane. Working with local school children, he helped design and build 60 small solar-powered lights. These affordable, sustainable lights now allow students to study after dark, a simple but powerful change in a village with limited access to electricity.

“I think I’ve grown a lot as a person at UWC Atlantic,” Utloile shared. “The experience has shown me that making a difference doesn’t have to wait for the future, it can start now.”

Utloile’s next step takes him to Bates College in Maine, USA, where he will pursue a double major in Engineering and Economics. He sees these fields as complementary: economics gives him the tools to shape systems and policies, while engineering fuels his passion for building practical solutions.

“My interests have always been about creating impact. Economics influences how people live, and engineering helps solve the problems they face. I want to bring these two together to make a difference both in my life and in my community back home.”

Utloile’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of education and opportunity. He’s especially mindful of the role his scholarship played in making it all possible.

“There are so many young people with the vision and the ability to create change but they don't have the financial means. Scholarships open the door for them to do just that, to realise their potential and uplift others.”