Prestigious Oxford University offers scholarships to Arab students

AMMAN — The University of Oxford in England is opening its doors to talented Jordanian students through its latest call for applications for its Rhodes Scholarships for Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine (SJLP).

Launched in May 2016 in partnership with the Saïd Foundation, the scholarship allows two outstanding young people from the Middle East each year to undertake a full-time postgraduate study at the world leading British university, Director of Communications at the Rhodes Trust, Babette Tegldal, told The Jordan Times.

Ranked first internationally in the Times 2017 and in the 2018 Higher Education World University Rankings, Oxford University hosts over 40 per cent of international students who represent some 140 countries, according to a survey.

For the founder and chairman of the Said Foundation, Wafic Saïd, the opening of the scholarship to the Arab world is an encouraging step.

“I am delighted that outstanding students will be arriving in Oxford each autumn from the Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine region. They are representative of the many exceptional young people whose talents, determination, courage and commitment will build a better future for the region,” he said in a statement sent to The Jordan Times, wishing “the best of luck to these inspiring leaders.”

Established in 1903 to provide “transformative opportunities for exceptional individuals”, the Rhodes Scholarships, according to the university's website, aim to “identify young leaders from around the world who, through the pursuit of education together at Oxford, would forge bonds of mutual understanding and fellowship for the betterment of mankind”. 

One of the oldest international graduate scholarship programme in the world, the Rhodes Scolarships provide young people with “the potential to lead to make an impact for good in the world in later life”.

Warden and CEO of the Rhodes Trust, Elizabeth Kiss, said: “Our aspiration is to identify and support innovative, energetic and ethical young leaders globally. The addition of these new scholars from regions that have an important international role to play in the 21st century, including from SJLP, marks a substantial step in that direction.”

“We see the value of additional cultural diversity in our cohorts of scholars every day: they learn from each other in profound ways, leaving behind the narrow interests of individual nationalities,” she continued, stressing: “The new Rhodes Scholars from the SJLP region will contribute significantly through sharing their skills, experiences and energy with their peers at Oxford.”

The two Rhodes Scholarships for SJLP are part of 100 offered each year by the Rhodes Trust to enable postgraduate study at the University of Oxford, Tegldal noted, voicing her enthusiasm to see greater numbers of Jordanians apply.

The applications, which are open until August 31 for any Syrian, Jordanian, Lebanese or Palestinian student, can be accessed at https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholarships/apply/syria-jordan-lebanon-and-palestine-sjlp