Equity and Merit Scholarships aim to assist talented but economically disadvantaged students from some of the world’s poorest countries such as Bangladesh, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania and this year also, three Bangladeshis have been selected for these scholarships.
The University of Manchester began its Equity and Merit Scholarship Scheme for about ten years now, globally producing a total of 181 scholars. The scholarships are jointly funded by the University of Manchester and its donors. The University waives the tuition fee in full and the donors cover students’ living costs, their airfares, visa processing fee and also provide a subsistence allowance/ maintenance during their study period.
Every year, four individuals who excel academically and demonstrate commitments to the economic or social development of their home countries are selected. Similarly, this year also, three Bangladeshis have been selected to be awarded these scholarships. The winners of this year were Anupam Dey, S M Labib and Rayed Barkat. They came from engineering and textile backgrounds and they are committed to pursuing their career in the same field after completion of their Postgraduate Master’s Degree which will be backed by the scheme.
This session helped the scholars to know more about important basics before departing, important documents they need to carry, life and weather at Manchester, safety and security, facilities that the university provides and how scholars can utilise best their stay for the study period. Once these scholars complete their graduation and return to Bangladesh, the British Council will align them with its alumni network ‘Bangladesh UK Alumni Network (BUKAN)’ for engaging them in social development activities, enabling them to be responsive to development initiatives.