ABOUT THE MILLENNIUM FELLOWSHIP - CLASS OF 2025
United Nations Academic Impact and MCN are proud to partner on the Millennium Fellowship. This year, 60,000+ young leaders applied to join the Class of 2025 on 7,000+ campuses across 170 nations. 290+ campuses worldwide (less than 5%) were selected to host the 4,500+ Millennium Fellows.
UNITED NATIONS ACADEMIC IMPACT AND MCN PROUDLY PRESENT YEABSIRA TAYE GURMU, A MILLENNIUM FELLOW FOR THE CLASS OF 2025.
Addis Ababa University | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Advancing SDG 3, SDG 3 & UNAI 6
" I am deeply passionate about advocating for young adults, especially university students, living with chronic illnesses. My own journey has shown me the power of resilience and the importance of being believed in, and I want to be that voice who raises awareness, inspires others, and drives change. I believe that with the right support, resources, and understanding, these students can thrive far beyond what society often expects. Becoming a Millennium Fellow would equip me with the skills, mentorship, and global network to strengthen my advocacy, amplify my voice, and create impactful projects that support students with chronic illnesses in Ethiopia and beyond." "
Millennium Fellowship Project: WEDAJ Initiative
The main goal of the initiative is to create a supportive space where students can connect, share their experiences, and access emotional and educational support to help them manage their health challenges while pursuing their studies.
The project was created by Yeabsira Taye Gurmu, a university student with a chronic illness herself, who personally experienced the isolation and difficulties of balancing health with academics.
Vision: To build a connected, empowered community where no student with a chronic condition feels alone.
Impact: The initiative aims to foster inclusivity, mental well-being, and awareness about chronic illnesses on campus.
About the Millennium Fellow
Yeabsira Taye Gurmu was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and is currently pursuing a degree in medicine at Addis Ababa University. Living with a chronic illness, Yeabsira is deeply committed to advocating for young adults—especially university students—facing similar health challenges. With a strong passion for research and public health, Yeabsira aspires to bridge the gap between personal experience and professional knowledge, working to raise awareness, improve support systems, and inspire resilience in those navigating the complexities of chronic illness in academic and social settings.
