The Blavatnik School of Government and Wadham College announce their partnership in funding a 2013-2014 Master of Public Policy student on the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme.

The College is delighted to partner the Blavatnik School of Government, and we are proud to enable a deserving student of outstanding merit to join us in Oxford. We look forward to strengthening our ties with the School in the future, and it gives us great pleasure to be a part of the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme.’, says Lord Macdonald QC, Warden of Wadham College.

Ngaire Woods, Dean of the Blavantik School of Government says ‘The School is very excited to be working together with Wadham, and we look forward to broadening and deepening our links with the College, and with the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme. Partnerships like these are crucial to ensuring that the best and brightest can study with us, regardless of financial circumstances.

Professor Tim Unwin, Chair of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, shared Professor Woods’ and Lord Macdonald’s sentiments. ‘The aim of our Scheme is to help as many Commonwealth students as possible study in the UK, and we are always delighted when this opportunity is extended to yet another deserving applicant.

The Blavatnik School of Government opened its doors to its inaugural student cohort in 2012. Its innovative one-year Master of Public Policy course combines multidisciplinary teaching, masterclasses from industry and policy experts and practical experience to mould future leaders who aspire to public service. Its first cohort, 38-strong, hails from nearly 20 different countries. The School was founded by a generous benefaction from American industrialist and philanthropist Leonard Blavatnik.

Founded 400 years ago by Nicholas and Dorothy Wadham, Wadham College is one of the largest colleges at the University of Oxford, with 430 undergraduates, 130-150 graduate students and 55 fellows from across all disciplines.  Known for its progressive and welcoming community, it boasts such alumni as Sir Christopher Wren, Lord Cherwell, Dr Rowan Williams and Melvyn Bragg. College Warden Lord Macdonald QC is the former Director of Public Prosecutions of England and Wales.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are a joint initiative between the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (with funding from the UK Department for International Development) and UK universities, to support scholarships for students from developing Commonwealth countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the UK.