Timothy Baiya Michael
2015-2016 MCN Fellow | Undergraduate University: Kaduna Polytechnic Institute | Place of Origin: Nigeria
At the start of 2015, the Millennium Campus Network began a "remote" component to the MCN Fellowship Program.
Participants that joined the MCN Fellowship as Remote Fellows were leaders from around the world. Instead of participating in the Fellowship in-person at hub sites located in Miami, FL; New York City; and Boston, MA, the Remote Fellows follow the Fellow Program curriculum via online methods.
Timothy Baiya Michael is one of MCN's Remote Fellows. He is from the Kaduna State in Nigeria, specifically the Bajju tribe. Interested in engineering and technological innovation, Timothy holds a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Kaduna Polytechnic Institute. He is currently enrolled at the Federal University of Technology in Nigeria and studying Industrial and Technology Education.
Timothy is a natural leader as he as served as the President of the Industrial and Technology Education Students Association and the Assistant General Secretary of the Kaduna State Students Association (Futminna Chapter), among others. After matriculating to the Federal University of Technology, Timothy wanted further engagement with student leadership, particularly in organizations dedicated to fostering new leaders. Future Generex at the university became the perfect organization for him, as it is built around the ideals of student innovation, empowerment, and leadership, much like MCN. Timothy is now the President of this organization, and hopes to bring it to new heights in the upcoming year.
Future Generex encourages student leadership via holding an Annual Leadership Summit. The Summit is a platform for young leader initiatives, as well as coaching sessions on capacity building. The mission of the organization are as follows:
To motivate students to try new things
To promote self-reliance and self-esteem among student members.
To promote the awareness that you are the only one that can limit your creativity and drive
Future Generex is filled with vibrant, intelligent, and dynamic peers. This organization creates the opportunity for young people to take leadership roles, learn how to manage a team, conceptualize and conduct large projects, and oversee community-based initiatives.
In the upcoming year, Timothy and Future Generex plan to hold another Annual Leadership Summit, and expand their movement to primary and secondary school students. Future Generex believes that no one is too young to change the world!
MCN has been the perfect platform for Timothy to grow into the best change-maker he can be. Timothy is taking the concepts, skills, and lessons learned from the fellowship to better support Future Generex, which in turn will better train leaders in Nigeria. Timothy is encouraged and inspired by MCN because of the opportunity its given him to “network with other students from around the world, and equip [himself] with the knowledge, skills, qualities, and attributes that will help [him] grow as a leader to better serve [his] organization and community." MCN has shown Timothy that true change comes from grassroots efforts as well as the people and efforts within a community; a different and more equitable world is possible with the right leadership and ethical engagement.
In the future, Timothy hopes to start an organization that inspires, empowers, and trains young change-makers in leadership, as well as entrepreneurial and education skills to make a difference in their community, in their country, and in their world.