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British Council and Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) launch higher education scholarships for Palestine

News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 02 March 2010

London, 2 March 2010 David Lammy, Minister of State for Higher Education, will today host the launch of Higher Education Scholarships for Palestine (HESPAL).

HESPAL, an initiative created by the British Council in partnership with BIS, with additional support from Consolidated Contractors Ltd, The Pears Foundation, The Arab Palestinian Investment Company and Sir Trevor Chinn will help to create the next generation of senior academics equipped to provide international quality standards in Palestinian Higher Education as well as increase sustainable links between Palestinian and UK Universities.

The scholarship programme will see up to 10 academics each year from Palestinian Universities sponsored to complete a year’s postgraduate study at one of the partner Universities in the UK with a focus on particular areas of study including: finance, business, education, IT, physics, chemistry, engineering, agriculture, water management, Law and International Development. The UK universities taking part in the scheme are: City, Essex, Exeter, Kings College London, London School of Economics, Manchester, Newcastle, Oxford Brookes, School of Oriental and African Studies, and Sussex. Each university has pledged to offer one scholarship per year for four years. Applicants for scholarships will be sought from all 10 Universities in Palestine based on a rigorous selection process.

Welcoming the scheme Minister of State for Higher Education, David Lammy said,

“In countries all over the world, the link between a burgeoning HE sector and a thriving economy is clear. Through training the next generation of academic leaders, HESPAL will make a real difference to local communities in Palestine, benefit the academic community and the wider society and re-energise the economy.”

Sandra Hamrouni, Director, British Council Palestine commented:

“HESPAL will have a direct role in developing the quality of higher education in Palestine, building mutual links between the people of the UK and Palestine and developing further opportunities for cross-cultural engagement.”

Professor Colin Riordan, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Essex and Chair of the Universities UK International and European Policy Committee, said:

“UK higher education is an international enterprise and our universities are deeply engaged in partnerships with colleagues across the globe and we welcome students and academics from almost every country in the world to our universities.

We hope that the start provided by the scheme will in time enable a number of strong academic collaborations to flourish for the benefit of the higher education systems in both areas and indeed for the benefit of the broader relationship between the UK and Palestine.”

Antoine Mattar, Chair of the Palestine Britain Business Council, and a key fundraiser for the scheme, said:

“The Palestine Britain Business Council views this initiative as a milestone in the development of higher education in Palestine, which will enhance the skills, expertise and knowledge needed for all disciplines in the socio-economic environment of the communities”.

For interviews and further press information please contact

Emma Griffiths , Department for Business Innovation and Skills, emma.griffiths@bis.gsi.gov.uk , 020 7215 5982

or

Eleanor Hutchins, British Council eleanor.hutchins@britishcouncil.org or 020 7389 4981

Notes to Editors:

· Overall management of HESPAL will be handled by the British Council under the aegis of a steering committee comprising of stakeholders and sponsors. This will be reviewed and agreed annually with partners and sponsors.

· The selection criteria will be agreed by the steering committee comprising participating universities in the UK and Palestine, the British Council and sponsors.

· English language proficiency will be completed through IELTS, administered by British Council Palestine. Prospective candidates will need to obtain a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or have certification to this effect already.

· The overall Scholarship will cover fees for the Masters courses as well as living costs for the students. The tuition fees are covered by participating UK Universities with additional costs covered by Governmental and private funding as follows:

· Department for Business Innovation and Skills: £15,000 for Year 1

· Foreign and Commonwealth Office: £5,000 for Year 1

· Consolidated Contractors Company: £120,000 over four years

· The Pears Foundation: £60,000 over four years

· The Arab Palestinian Investment Company Ltd: £60,000 over four years

· Sir Trevor Chinn: £20,000 over four years

· There are ten Universities in the Palestine including seven in the West Bank and three in the Gaza Strip. All will be eligible to apply under the terms of the scheme

The British Council

· The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We work in over 100 countries worldwide to build engagement and trust for the UK through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people. We work in the arts, education, English, science, sport and governance and last year we engaged face to face with 13.2 million people and reached 221 million. We are a non-political organisation which operates at arm’s length from government. Our total turnover in 2008/9 was £645 million, of which our grant-in-aid from the British government was £209 million. For every £1 of government grant we receive, we earn £2.21 from other sources. www.britishcouncil.org

Contacts:

BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Emma Griffiths
Phone: 020 7215 5982
Emma.Griffiths@bis.gsi.gov.uk