In a heartwarming celebration of diversity and educational opportunities, Google Portugal recently hosted a special reception to honor two exceptional students from West Africa, hailing from The Gambia and Sierra Leone, who were awarded two full scholarships to pursue their LL.M. studies at Católica Global School of Law. The Google Inclusivity Scholarships enable selected students from underrepresented groups to have their LL.M. tuition fees fully covered.

The event, held in the headquarters of Google Portugal, in Lisbon, brought together Bernardo Correia, Country Manager of Google Portugal; Helena Martins, Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Google Portugal; Miguel Poiares Maduro, Dean of Católica Global School of Law; Tito Rendas, Executive Dean; and the two students, Adama Ceesay and Jamil Fofanah.

Adama Ceesay is an aspiring young African lawyer and entrepreneur. She completed her Bachelor of Laws at the University of The Gambia and pursued the LL.M. Law in a European and Global Context at Católica Global School of Law. She is a mentor at the COIF – Coaches of Influence Foundation, where she has been able to share her knowledge and experience with mentees. In addition to this, she owns a business called Adu’s Store.

Jamil Fofanah is a lawyer from Sierra Leone, who has also worked as a teacher and human rights journalist. He studied Politics and Law at Fourah Bay College and the University of Makeni, earning a B.A. and an LL.B. with distinctions. Jamil is also an alumnus of the Young African Leadership Initiative. At the reception, Jamil shared his dream of using his legal knowledge to promote better governance in West Africa.

The reception served as a symbol of the power of education to transcend borders and transform lives. Through their generous funding of scholarships, Google Portugal has not only enabled the academic aspirations of Adama and Jamil, but has also strengthened the global network of aspiring legal professionals committed to promoting justice and the rule of law.