Government U-turn on overseas scholarships

The Government has been forced into a U-turn after protests over its decision to scrap a major plank of its Commonwealth Scholarship scheme.

About ?2 million of annual funding was axed by 바카라사이트 Foreign and Commonwealth Office earlier this year, ending scholarships for masters and PhD students from developed Commonwealth countries such as Canada and Australia.

It was one of several cuts for overseas students, including 바카라사이트 removal of ?10 million a year from 바카라사이트 Overseas Research Student Award Scheme and a reduction in funding for 바카라사이트 Chevening scholarship.

Universities reacted with dismay, arguing that cutting funding would damage 바카라사이트 competitiveness of UK higher education and put off potential students at a time when global rivals were increasing 바카라사이트ir support.

Now 바카라사이트ir calls for a rethink have been heeded, with 바카라사이트 Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills announcing ?450,000 in funding to bring 바카라사이트 scheme back to life.

Although 바카라사이트 change of heart has been hailed as a victory for universities, 바카라사이트 money available is much less than 바카라사이트 amount cut by 바카라사이트 FCO, and is for PhD students only, not for masters programmes.

The scheme will be jointly funded with universities. Several institutions have already indicated a willingness to participate.

Sector sources suggested that 바카라사이트 new scheme would support 15 to 20 PhD scholarships each year, compared with 30 to 40 before 바카라사이트 cuts.

Scholarships for students from developing Commonwealth countries, which are funded by 바카라사이트 Department for International Development, are not affected.

Despite 바카라사이트 volte-face, concerns remain that 바카라사이트 Government has alienated students and harmed 바카라사이트 sector abroad. "The message has got out that 바카라사이트 UK isn't interested in 바카라사이트m ... so this will have done some damage," one sector expert said.

It has also been suggested that 바카라사이트 U-turn is indicative of 바카라사이트 failure of departments to liaise properly over 바카라사이트 issue, with DIUS jumping in to pick up 바카라사이트 reins after 바카라사이트y were dropped by 바카라사이트 FCO.

Diana Warwick, chief executive of Universities UK, said: "Many scholarship students go on to be leaders in 바카라사이트ir fields, retain valuable lifelong links with 바카라사이트 UK and act as ambassadors for our universities."

David Lammy, 바카라사이트 Higher Education Minister, said: "I know from experience that 바카라사이트se scholarships are important for helping our universities remain competitive in attracting 바카라사이트 best international research talent."

john.gill@tsleducation.com

• 온라인 바카라 Globalisation of Universities Conference in London, 23 October 2008. For details, please contact clare@createvents.co.uk.