Cayman student Zara Majid awarded full scholarship to Yale Young Global Scholars programme

Cayman Islands student Zara Majid will spend part of her summer at Yale University after being selected for the highly competitive Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) programme and awarded a full Young Leaders scholarship.

Zara, a Grade 11 student at Cayman International School, was selected from more than 14,400 applicants representing over 150 countries. She will participate in the programme’s Solving Global Challenges track, joining students from around the world to explore some of today’s most pressing global issues.

For Zara, whose interests span science, sustainability, technology and youth leadership, the opportunity represents the next step in a journey shaped by curiosity, mentorship and a desire to contribute to real-world solutions.

“Being accepted and awarded a full scholarship was an incredibly meaningful moment,” said Zara. “I am incredibly excited to bring the perspective of a young person from a small island nation to those global conversations, because I think that voice is often missing, and it matters.”

Outside the classroom, Zara volunteers with the National Trust, has represented the Cayman Islands internationally in chess and founded Queens of Tomorrow, a programme that helps young girls across Cayman develop their chess skills and confidence. Her work has consistently focused on leadership, environmental stewardship and creating opportunities for others.

Since 2021, Zara has been actively involved in TechCayman education initiatives, first participating in the TechCayman Education Robotics camp before later returning as a robotics mentor. She has also contributed to youth technology events and sustainability-focused projects across the Cayman Islands.

Philip Liu, Education Manager at TechCayman, said Zara’s achievement reflects the importance of providing young people with opportunities to explore their interests and develop confidence in their abilities.

“Zara has consistently demonstrated curiosity, initiative and a genuine commitment to giving back,” said Liu. “She has embraced opportunities to learn, lead and support others, and we are incredibly proud to see her recognised on an international stage.”

While attending Yale is a significant milestone, Zara sees it as part of a much larger journey.

“When I received the acceptance, I had to read the letter twice,” she said. “I felt an incredible sense of gratitude, but also responsibility. Being accepted means I now have the opportunity to represent not just myself, but young people from the Caribbean and small island nations who rarely see themselves in spaces like Yale.”

As Cayman continues to strengthen its technology ecosystem, stories like Zara’s highlight the impact that mentorship, education and access to opportunity can have on the next generation of innovators and leaders.