New Rhodes Scholarship Seat Celebrates Indian Heritage and Global Education

UK Education Sector Embraces International Students with Expanded Rhodes Scholarship

The Rhodes Scholarship is a prestigious postgraduate award that supports international students at Oxford University. It has recently expanded its opportunities for Indian students by adding a new scholarship seat, which increased the number from five to six now. This new addition was funded by a generous donation from entrepreneurs Mukund Rajan and his wife Soumya Rajan. Mukund, a Rhodes Scholar from 1989 and an Oxford University alumnus, along with Soumya, who has a notable family history dedicated this scholarship to their parents who served the Indian government.

Dr. Elizabeth Kiss, Warden of Rhodes House, mentioned that Indians have been the largest group of foreign students in UK universities for the past two years, but the number of Rhodes Scholarships for Indian students had remained at five for many years. This new addition and meeting with alumni is a move towards the goal of increasing the scholarship number to seven by searching for more donors. Oxford University continues to attract a significant number of Indian applicants, with a 10% annual increase in applications. India ranks among the top five constituencies in terms of application numbers, with 700 applicants competing for the five spots last year. The selection process is merit-based, ensuring that the most deserving candidates are chosen. The Rhodes Trust also receives a high volume of applications from regions such as West Africa, Southern Africa, Pakistan, and the USA. They noted that there is a gender balance among Indian scholars, with about 50% being women and hence the Trust has been successful in attracting applicants from diverse backgrounds across India, including students from Nagaland and Kashmir.

Popular courses among Indian Rhodes Scholars include law, public policy, and South Asian Studies, though there are also scholars pursuing fields like Neuroscience, Biology, Physics, Theology, and Philosophy. The Rhodes Trust is also focusing on increasing scholarships for African students, aiming to raise the number from 20 to 32 annually, matching the number awarded to students from the United States. This effort is driven by a sense of moral obligation, given the historical funding of the scholarship from mining activities in South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

In recent years, the UK government has been tightening immigration rules for international students, which adds another layer of complexity to the scholarship landscape. It is important to get an experience of study in a UK university as international students bring value to the learning environment through their contribution to quality and diversity. There should be greater openness to international students and the government policies such as the graduate route should not be implemented. The two-year work in UK policy who have completed their postgraduate degree has proven beneficial for Rhodes scholars worldwide. According to Kiss, the UK offers excellent work experience opportunities and helps scholars build valuable networks.

Rhodes Scholars across different countries have collaborated to make significant contributions, especially during crises. Oxford University has a strong network of alumni, such as Atishi the new chief minister of Delhi, as well as a Rhodes scholar who played a key role in developing the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Editor’s Note:

The expansion of the Rhodes Scholarship to include a new sixth seat for Indian students is a remarkable step towards enduring the value of international education and the power of philanthropy. Indian students are significantly contributing to the UK’s educational landscape and they are getting benefits from the policies that support their professional growth. The strong alumni network of Oxford University, exemplified by figures like Atishi and those who contributed during the pandemic, showcases the far-reaching impact of the Rhodes Scholarship. 

Skoobuzz hopes that this initiative not only enhances opportunities for Indian students but also reinforces the global commitment to academic excellence and leadership development.