A new scholarship programme to give students from Africa the chance to study at the University of East Anglia will be launched this week.
The grants will cover tuition fees for four African PhD students from disadvantaged backgrounds, with the first scholarships distributed in 2013 - the university’s Jubilee year.
The Africa PhD Scholarship Programme will be announced at this year’s Court – the university’s annual general meeting - to be held on Friday, June 4.
Over the past half century the university has developed many links with countries in Africa and has been at the forefront of building partnerships to address challenges faced by contemporary African societies. This commitment to supporting the developing world was recognised by the award of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize to the school of International Development earlier this year.
The new scholarship reflects the university’s commitment to develop its strategy of global citizenship through common programmes on major global issues, extension of opportunities to study abroad, and an enhanced capacity to support and learn from an increasingly diverse international student population.
It is hoped the new scholarships will help extend and build upon existing partnerships across the continent. Vice-Chancellor Prof Edward Acton said: “It is very encouraging that we receive high numbers of applications from prospective African PhD students. However, due to the cost of studying in the UK, only a small proportion of these promising candidates are able to fulfil their goal of pursuing doctoral studies.
“These new scholarships will give students from Africa the chance to study with us so that they may return home and take up leadership roles to help solve some of their own country’s pressing needs.”
Funds for the scholarships will come from donations to the university - from former students, friends and staff. Money raised will be match-funded by the Government by an extra 50 per cent.
Head of Development and Campaigns, David Street, said: “This is an exciting programme which I am sure will appeal to many of our staff, friends and alumni who share our commitment to making a difference.
“While available funds last, the Government’s time-limited matched funding scheme will also allow us to add to the value of donations. Together with Gift Aid, this means that for every £1 donated, the university will receive £1.90, so it’s a great opportunity for us to grow this fund as we move towards the Jubilee year in 2013.”
The Court event will also welcome HM Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk Richard Jewson as the incoming chair of the University Council.
He is a former managing director of Jewson and chair of its parent company Meyer International, from which he retired in 1993. He is also formerly a chair of Savills and non-executive director and deputy chair of Anglian Water. Mr Jewson is currently pro-chancellor for the university, as well as being chair of publisher Archant.
Prof Acton will speak at the event about the year’s highlights. As well as winning the Queen’s Anniversary Prize, other success stories include the launch of UEA London, student Melissa Ilboudo winning International Student of the Year at the British Council’s Shine awards, and the launch of the new Live/Learn advertising campaign.
The Africa PhD Scholarship Programme will be announced at this year’s Court – the university’s annual general meeting - to be held on Friday, June 4.
Over the past half century the university has developed many links with countries in Africa and has been at the forefront of building partnerships to address challenges faced by contemporary African societies. This commitment to supporting the developing world was recognised by the award of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize to the school of International Development earlier this year.
The new scholarship reflects the university’s commitment to develop its strategy of global citizenship through common programmes on major global issues, extension of opportunities to study abroad, and an enhanced capacity to support and learn from an increasingly diverse international student population.
It is hoped the new scholarships will help extend and build upon existing partnerships across the continent. Vice-Chancellor Prof Edward Acton said: “It is very encouraging that we receive high numbers of applications from prospective African PhD students. However, due to the cost of studying in the UK, only a small proportion of these promising candidates are able to fulfil their goal of pursuing doctoral studies.
“These new scholarships will give students from Africa the chance to study with us so that they may return home and take up leadership roles to help solve some of their own country’s pressing needs.”
Funds for the scholarships will come from donations to the university - from former students, friends and staff. Money raised will be match-funded by the Government by an extra 50 per cent.
Head of Development and Campaigns, David Street, said: “This is an exciting programme which I am sure will appeal to many of our staff, friends and alumni who share our commitment to making a difference.
“While available funds last, the Government’s time-limited matched funding scheme will also allow us to add to the value of donations. Together with Gift Aid, this means that for every £1 donated, the university will receive £1.90, so it’s a great opportunity for us to grow this fund as we move towards the Jubilee year in 2013.”
The Court event will also welcome HM Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk Richard Jewson as the incoming chair of the University Council.
He is a former managing director of Jewson and chair of its parent company Meyer International, from which he retired in 1993. He is also formerly a chair of Savills and non-executive director and deputy chair of Anglian Water. Mr Jewson is currently pro-chancellor for the university, as well as being chair of publisher Archant.
Prof Acton will speak at the event about the year’s highlights. As well as winning the Queen’s Anniversary Prize, other success stories include the launch of UEA London, student Melissa Ilboudo winning International Student of the Year at the British Council’s Shine awards, and the launch of the new Live/Learn advertising campaign.
