An Introduction to the Rotary Scholarship Programme

This is one of the world’s largest privately sponsored international scholarship programmes. It started in 1947 with the aim of furthering international understanding and goodwill, and over 70 years later it continues to be a great success.
 
The current scholarship model started in 2013. Rotary Scholarships are funded by Global Grants and are for overseas graduate study under one of Rotary’s six Areas of Focus for one to four years. More Rotary Scholars come to study in the UK than in any other country. Over the last few years, there have been an average of approximately 180 Rotary Scholars each year. In this current academic year there are around 240 Rotary Scholars.

During their studies abroad, Rotary Foundation Scholars are hosted by a club local to their place of study. They have opportunities to take part in club activities, meet the other Rotary scholars hosted in the district and to visit other clubs to speak about their studies and career aspirations.
 
We are extremely fortunate to have a large number of Scholars visiting our District each year. The majority study at the University of Oxford, but we also have some at the four other universities within our District: Oxford Brookes, Reading, New Bucks and Brunel Universities.  We are also able to fund one scholarship each year.
 
For this academic year, Rotary Foundation has awarded 23 scholarships for graduate students studying in the Thames Valley.  All their subjects are covered by the six Rotary Areas of Focus
 
Twenty two of the graduates are studying in Oxford and one at the LSE.  A quick analysis shows:

• 12 PhDs, 11 Masters
• 10 countries, 5 continents
• 18 clubs hosting the graduates
• 22 different languages spoken (an estimate)

Rotary in Abingdon organised an evening for Rotarians in D1090 to hear from six of this year’s Rotary Scholars and members from our club were pleased to attend to meet them and hear what they are studying.  The scholars included:

• Nicole AU, (Yung AU) from Hong Kong, she is sponsored by District 3450 Hong Kong Harbour and her host club here in the UK is Princes Risborough.  She is at The University of Oxford – St Antony’s College reading a DPhil in Information, Communication and the Social Sciences.
• Aneel BRAR from Canada, he is sponsor by District 5360 Calgary and whilst here in the UK is being hosted by The Rotary Club of Faringdon & District.  He is at The University of Oxford – St John’s College reading a DPhil in Medical Anthropology.
• Kevin CAO from the USA and sponsored by District 7610 Charlottesville VA, whilst here in the UK he is being hosted by The Rotary Club of Abingdon Vesper.  He is at The University of Oxford – St Hugh’s College reading an MSc in Comparative & International Education.
• Victoria COX from Australia is sponsored by District 9520 Burnside, SA and is being hosted by The Rotary Club of Witney.  She is at The University of Oxford – Jesus College reading a DPhil in Primary Health Care.
• Camilla VOGT from the USA she is sponsored by District 7910 Concord MA and whilst in the UK is being hosted by Witney Rotary Club.  She is studying at The University of Oxford – Oriel College, reading a Masters in Public Policy.
• Maya WAHRMAN from the USA is sponsored by District 7150 New Jersey NJ and The Rotary Club of Marlow are hosting her whilst in the UK.  She is at The University of Oxford – Blackfriars Hall and is reading an MSc in Refugee + forced migration studies.
• Robin WANG from Taiwan is sponsored by District 3482 Taipei Sunshine and is being hosted by The Rotary Club of Thatcham & Thame.  He is at The University of Oxford – Wolfson College, reading a DPhil in Atomic + laser physics.

​Around 50 Rotarians from 8 clubs in the Thames Valley Area enjoyed the evening and learnt a lot at the same time!
Paul Andreianu