The 1994 Group and the Russell Group of
universities will today launch a groundbreaking £1000
scholarship for students who wish to study science, technology,
engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.
The 'Eliahou Dangoor Scholarships', launched with a £3
million donation over three years, will be the largest private
bursary or scholarship widening participation scheme known to the
Office for Fair Access (OFFA) in the UK, and will be administered
across Russell Group and 1994 Group universities. Matched funding
from government is expected to bring the total funding available to
over £4 million.
Thanks to the generous donation from Dr Naim Dangoor, a
successful property developer, this scholarship will assist up to
4000 students, most from under-privileged backgrounds, to study
vital science and maths-based subjects at the UK's leading
research-intensive universities.
Dr Dangoor has said that this scholarship, named in honour of
his father Eliahou Dangoor, is his way of thanking the country that
gave him refuge after he left Iraq in the 1960s. It is hoped that
this ambitious scheme will encourage more young people to consider
studying STEM subjects at one of the country's leading
universities.
Both the 1994 Group and Russell Group have warmly welcomed the
donation and the creation of the scholarship. Professor Paul
Wellings, Vice Chancellor of Lancaster University and Chair of the
1994 Group of universities said: "Dr Naim Dangoor's generous
donation will support talented students to study at the leading
universities in the United Kingdom.
"With record numbers of applications to university the signs are
that the current system of variable bursaries, fees and loans, with
no upfront costs and generous repayment terms, are not acting as a
deterrent.
"Nevertheless, we are concerned that some students, particularly
from poorer backgrounds, may be put off from applying to university
because of misinformation or lack of understanding about the
generous support available.
"These scholarships are a tremendous addition to the range of
bursaries our universities offer to help ensure that students
fulfil their potential and are encouraged to apply to leading
universities."
Dr Wendy Piatt, Director General of the Russell Group,
said: "Russell Group universities are working hard to ensure
that information about bursaries - including this magnificent
scheme - is being constantly updated and improved.
"The new Russell Group website will also serve as a helpful
gateway for students looking for information about the financial
support available at all of our universities. We hope more
people will be prompted to consider studying science and
maths-based subjects at the UK's leading universities.
"Although there has been a welcome increase in science and maths
students in recent years, we are still deeply concerned by the long
term decline in students - particularly those from low-income
backgrounds - taking these subjects at A-level and
beyond."
Prof Michael Arthur, Chair of the Russell Group added: "Schemes
like the Eliahou Dangoor scholarship build on this upturn in
popularity which, in the long run, will mean that the UK can
continue to be home to more than its fair share of the world's top
scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs."
Welcoming this announcement, Sir Martin Harris, Director of
OFFA said: "It is heartening to see help for students on such
a generous scale from a private donor. Our research has shown
that awards of this kind have the potential to encourage students
to apply for leading universities and we hope they will be widely
publicised and play a part in helping to raise aspirations in
schools and colleges."
Ends
Notes for editors
1. The Eliahou Dangoor scholarships will be
administered by each 1994 Group and Russell Group university. To
qualify for the £1000 scholarship students must be: