A Conversation with Betangabeh Khumbah, current recipient of the University College Dublin Smurfit Howard Scholarship
Mary Hendriksen
July 30th, 2025
Betangabeh Khumbah, a 2024 graduate of Howard University, is completing his Masters of Science degree at University College Dublin’s (UCD) Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. Khumbah was a finance major at Howard, one of the most prestigious universities in the US as well as one of its oldest historically Black colleges and universities, and is now a strategic management graduate at UCD.
Khumbah is the third recipient of a scholarship facilitated by AAIDN that promotes and expands a partnership between Howard and the Smurfit School.
The scholarship provides half of tuition fees for a full-time, one-year business masters programme.
In addition to its significant monetary benefit, scholarship recipients gain the unique advantage of studying abroad at one of Europe’s leading business schools. UCD Smurfit School is located in the heart of Dublin, a global hub of business that is home to top multinational companies, many in finance, technology, pharmaceuticals, and social media.
The genesis of the scholarship was a partnership facilitated by AAIDN with UCD Smurfit School and Howard University that, in February 2023, took 12 Howard University School of Business students on a visit to Dublin; and, then, in March 2023, 19 students from the UCD Smurfit and Quinn Schools on a visit to Washington, DC. The goal was for the students to learn about doing business in international markets, sustainable development goals, diversity and inclusion, as well as to experience a different country and culture. KPMG, Bank of America Europe, and AAIDN all contributed funding for the exchange.
With that initial success, the scholarship for the Smurfit School was created. In its inaugural year, two Howard alumni, Angel Brummett and Annylah Clarke, received the scholarship.
We asked current recipient Betangabeh Khumba about his scholarship and his experience this year at UCD Smurfit, where he is undertaking a masters degree in strategic management.
AAIDN: Tell us how you found out about the scholarship and how you decided to apply.
BK: Throughout my life, good things have happened to me with amazing serendipity. I grew up in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where my parents, who came to the US from Cameroon, were professors at the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University. I attended several pre-college programs as a high school student, but Howard came into the mix late. After I received a scholarship offer, I traveled to Washington for Accepted Students Day and knew right away it was the place for me.
I loved my time at Howard, which is truly the Mecca of Black excellence. On campus, I participated in fraternal life, tutored mathematics, promoted financial literacy, and graduated from the School of Business Executive Leadership Honors Program.
During my senior year, I walked into a classroom as Elaine Aherne, Head of Student Recruitment and Admissions at the Smurfit School, was giving a presentation on the school and the AAIDN a Scholarship. She spoke to me personally afterwards. I had never visited Ireland, and the possibility of attending graduate business school in Dublin had never crossed my mind. Because of the pandemic, I had missed my opportunities at Howard to study in South Africa and at the London School of Economics. I was intrigued and said to myself, “The time is now!”
AAIDN: Tell us about your experience at UCD Smurfit School.
What I treasure has been my experience with my classmates and the Irish people. We are an incredibly diverse student body. My classmates are from Ireland, Europe, India, and elsewhere in Asia. In America, I might feel ostracized being the only Black student; but because of the diversity of my peers, that is not true here. In my strategic management major, we work largely in teams, and that has been a formative part of my education here as well. I’ve grown to understand the science and importance of highly effective teams and the mindful foundations of resilience. I’m certain that in my future endeavors, I will use many of the decision making skills and behavioral strategies that I have learned.
Outside of my fellow students, I can’t say enough about the Irish people. In general, Americans tend to be busy and stay to themselves. In contrast, I’ve found here that kindness is almost overwhelming. I’ve had countless genuine conversations. I’m obviously still learning about Irish culture, but because of this very supportive environment, it’s liberating being here. My selfdevelopment has exceeded my expectations. I’m more confident and ready to take on what life will offer me after graduation in late summer.
AAIDN: Any advice for future applicants for the scholarship?
BK: Go for it! 100%! This experience has changed my life for the better, and I feel like so many young people could benefit from it. For those who receive the scholarship, be open-minded and try to immerse yourself into the moment: A year goes by quickly!