Scholarships announced

ROEHAMPTON University, UK, has recently announced the launch of its new scholarship scheme. Open to international students, over 200 scholarships will be awarded in line with recognised achievements — including language qualifications and other educational achievements — and will vary in value rising to £2300 for MBA students. 

The scheme, announced recently by the university’s vice-chancellor Paul O’Prey in the Capital, is aimed at students completing the professional practice certificate in Special Educational Needs (SEN) established through the UK-India Education Research Initiative (UKIERI) and accredited by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). The ceremony was formally inaugurated by HE Sir Richard Stagg, the British High Commissioner to India. 

Granted university status in 2004, the university has its roots in four colleges devoted to education and specifically teacher training established in the mid-19 th century. As regards its partnerships with India, it has been working with the University of Baroda in the area of mental health and also with the Gujarat government on the establishment of the first institute for Mental Health in the state, informed O’Prey. 

He says: “Since 2004, the university has rapidly established itself as a forward thinking university that not only recognises its historical roots, but which also engages with the changing world with strengths in journalism and media, sports science, clinical neuroscience and clinical nutrition.” 

He informs: “In May the university will open the new Roehampton Business School, building on its existing strength in international business and its excellent links with business, the public sector and charities, which reflects the fact that London hosts many of the world’s leading companies.” 

The university has also built a reputation for its research, says O’Prey. He elaborates: “In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), the government’s assessment of the quality of research conducted in our universities came out as one of the best of any modern university. A third of our research is rated internationally excellent. Two of the subjectareas — dance and biological anthropology — came out as the best in the country, beating off the stiffest of competition from the most ancient universities.” 

As a part of its philosophy, Roehampton teaches students in an environment enriched by research that is making a real impact on the world. For instance, its work on modern slavery was cited in a recent publication by Universities UK — the umbrella body for British Universities — as one of the top 100 major discoveries, developments and inventions by academics over the last 50 years. Similarly, the university is working to preserve and promote the rich heritage of films in Cuba and advising state governments in Australia on the private provision of public services. 

He sums up: “India is becoming a very important part of our academic activity and we are becoming popular with Indian students wanting to study at our university at Master’s level.”