Enoch Mobisa Ontiri (right) is on the Ivan Bond Scholarship programme

Exeter launches Green Futures Scholarships

Talented students from low-to-middle-income countries will study at the University of Exeter thanks to new Green Futures Scholarships.

The programme will develop a network of like-minded individuals who can share their knowledge and experiences to lead change from within their communities and beyond.

The scholarships – funded by alumni donations and the University – will allow students to join Masters courses directly related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

"Unfortunately, the cost of higher education, travel and living in the UK country are significant barriers for students," said Professor Tim Lenton, Director of the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter.

"We want to offer talented students the opportunity to receive quality education here in the UK, and are committed to supporting as many of these scholarships as possible.

"Exeter is open to everyone with the academic ability, irrespective of their background or financial circumstances and we are determined to support those most affected by the climate and ecological crisis."

The scholarships will be awarded to students with a record of academic excellence who can demonstrate their passion to:

• Learn about the scientific, human, social and cultural issues which are vital in the field of sustainability.
• Be equipped with the skills for a "greener" economy and the imagination to provide solutions for a sustainable society.
• Develop their global mind-set, combining culturally inclusive behaviour and environmentally sound practices.
• Contribute to the economic and social development of their home countries.

"We are asking Exeter alumni to support us on a 40:60 basis," said Stephanie Cherington-Rimmell, Senior Development Manager at the University of Exeter.

"The full cost of a Green Futures Scholarship is £36,000 and for each £15,000 we raise for student living and travel costs, the University will match this to cover the full tuition fees for that student."

For more details and to make a donation, please visit https://exeter.hubbub.net/p/greenfutures/

The University of Exeter's ‘Green Futures’ campaign aims to drive action on the environment and climate emergency. To find out more please visit https://greenfutures.exeter.ac.uk.

CASE STUDY:

Thanks to the existing Ivan Bond Scholarship programme, Enoch Mobisa Ontiri has been able to fulfil a personal ambition to study internationally and undertake a PhD with a focus on conservation in Africa. The scholarship, funded by alumnus Neil Harvey (Accountancy Studies 1985), has not only provided Enoch with a life-changing opportunity but also supported a project of enormous benefit to society. "Wildlife Wars in the Age of the Smartphone" looks at research on the intensity of the conflict between pastoralists and lions. The project, which has run 200 community engagement events throughout Kenya’s Rift Valley, aims to understand the links between economic development, climate and conflict, and will introduce an innovative smartphone app that will help map the risk of human wildlife conflict using citizen science.

Enoch said: “I have always dreamed of undertaking a PhD so that I could develop in-depth research, which would hopefully enable a better understanding of the ways to tackle the conservation challenges facing Africa. The Ivan Bond Scholarship is a fantastic and unique opportunity for me to so this, and to take my career to the next level."

Date: 22 November 2021