Meet Some New Scholarship Holders
On 25 October 2011 the University congratulated its new doctoral scholarship holders with a wine reception in the Research Exchange. Pro-Vice-Chancellor Ann Caesar (Education and Student Experience) and Professor Jackie Labbe, Chair of the Board of Graduate Studies, both delivered welcoming remarks.
More than 90 students attended, most funded by Warwick through its Warwick Postgraduate Research Scholarships (WPRS), Chancellor’s International Scholarship (CIS), and Warwick Collaborative Postgraduate Research Scheme (WCPRS). Research Council-funded students were also invited, as were Heads of Department.
Warwick devotes some £11,000,000 to postgraduate student scholarships. For 2011 entry, more than 70 students were funded through University schemes, with an appreciable additional number receiving departmental funding ranging from partial bursaries to full fees and maintenance awards. Once Research Council funding is taken into account, Warwick expends around £19,000,000 on doctoral funding.
We can always do better though, and for 2012 entry we have increased the number of Chancellor’s Scholarships (formerly WPRS) from 35 to 50.
Students attending the reception had the following to say:
|
Grace Huxford, History (WPRS Award)
|
I am first-year PhD student in the History Department and have been awarded a Warwick Postgraduate Research Scholarship to fund my research into British servicemen in the Korean War (1950-1953). The History Department at Warwick has an excellent reputation for research and a large postgraduate community, which makes it a great place to share ideas and learn about exciting new research in the field. My funding also enables me to meet and discuss my research with scholars at other institutions and I am looking forward to presenting my first academic paper outside of Warwick later on in the autumn term."
|
|
Kezhi Wang, Engineering (Chancellor's International Scholarship)
|
When I was a master student in China, I was really into research and had made up my mind to go onto study for a doctorate; I hoped I could join the most advanced research group in the world and research the latest science and technology. After asking some of my teachers and friends and searching from the Internet, I found University of Warwick generally ranked top five of all UK Universities. Thanks once again to Chancellor's International Scholarship, which provided me the opportunity to study for PhD degree at Warwick!
|
|
Nicola Spinelli, Philosophy (WPRS)
|
For a series of reasons, I knew that the best choice for me would be coming to the UK for my PHD. Warwick stood out as one of the best: both in terms of what was going on in the department of philosophy, and in terms of the environment in which it was located: faculty, campus, etc. I applied, and my application was successful. However, a scholarship was essential to me: I really couldn’t have started my course without one. So I applied for it, and got the Warwick Postgraduate Research Scholarship. Getting a WPRS means being funded by the university: this always feels like your university betting on you as a promising research student! I've been here for something more than a month and, on the whole, so far so good. Finding your feet can be a non-straightforward process, but the staff (my supervisors, the Department, the Graduate School) has helped me a lot. And nothing of this would have been possible without the WPRS, for which I am really grateful to the university.
|
|
Chris Maughan, English (WPRS)
|
I was awarded the WPR Scholarship after applying to study at Warwick to read for a PhD in English Literature. My first contact with the university was through my supervisor, Graeme MacDonald, whose work I was aware of and was enthusiastic about working with. He gave me a great amount of encouragement and feedback with regard to my research proposal and was instrumental in helping me make it the best it could be prior to submission. Though I have only been here for a short while I am enjoying Warwick academic life and have found it easy to get involved with the research community here, and not just within my own department. The scholarship has been utterly essential in making my research here possible. The peace of mind it gives me means I can focus exclusively on my research and not have to worry about the extraneous details of day-to-day living. I wouldn't be here without it.
|
|
Dr Mohd Muzafar, Life Sciences (WPRS)
|
“As a Doctor with a penchant for Microbiology, my options were manifold however the University of Warwick was an obvious first choice as I sought to pursue a PhD in Life Sciences. A vaccine against Foot Rot (A deadly disease afflicting animals) was the mainstay of my coursework during my masters. The unique challenges therein brought about the pursuit for an institution of excellence as a means of honing my raw skills and develop academically. Months of extensive and intensive search led me to Warwick and I could foresee an opportunity of lifetime beckoning, What made it all the more worthwhile was the chance to compete for a fulltime scholarship with my peers from across the globe. I must say it is a privilege and an honour to be among the recipients of the Famed ‘’Chancellor’s International scholarship’’. The first few weeks at Warwick have been eventful and exciting and I can already see my dreams come to fruition. The faculty and support staff has left no stone unturned to make me feel at home and the mentors with their deft skills and experience have made the academic transition a smooth sailing.”
|
Warwick-Fulbright Scholar Matt Stephenson
Following an incredibly tough competition, the Warwick Graduate School looks forward to welcoming Matt Stephenson as our Fulbright scholar for the academic year 2011-12. Matt will use the award to study for an MSc in the Department of Economics.
The Warwick-Fulbright Scholarship is offered to one US citizen each year, giving them the chance to study for a one year Master's degree (or the first year of a PhD) in any subject at Warwick.
Growing up in nearly a dozen U.S. states, Matt finally settled on Denver, Colorado, attending Regis University. He graduated summa cum laude in Political Economy and received the Joseph Ryan S.J. award for excellence in the study of economics.
Drawn to issues of poverty and global development, Matt volunteered at a small microfinance organization in India in the summer of 2009. He returned to the U.S. with a research topic in economics inspired by his experiences in India, and this proposed research earned him recognition and grant support from the National Science Foundation the following year.
At Regis he also distributed clothing at an affiliated shelter, tutored students in economics and statistics, and consulted for a non-profit refugee organization. Matt is looking forward to joining the Warwick Department of Economics for his Fulbright year. Professor Abhinay Muthoo, Head of the Department of Economics, commented: "This is excellent news for the department, to have such an exceptional student on its Master's programme. My congratulations to Matt. We look forward to welcoming him to the department this September."
Professor Jackie Labbe, Chair of the Warwick Graduate School, also extends her congratulations to Matt and looks forward to welcoming him to Warwick. Professor Labbe commented: "I am delighted that once again we are privileged to host a Fulbright Scholar of such promise. Warwick values its continued participation in the Fulbright programme."
