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Linda Yeung

Many institutions are making the dream of studying abroad come true through grants and scholarships

INCREASING OFFERS OF scholarships and student awards are helping to boost demand for overseas study, making it possible for the best and brightest students from all backgrounds to realise their dream of studying abroad.

The New York-based Institute of International Education (IIE), a United States-government backed, non-profit-making organisation providing advice on studying in the US, is offering new international science and technology research grants for graduate students and faculty. Applications will be accepted from around the world in autumn.

IIE executive vice-president Peggy Blumenthal said the new offers would support scholarly work of a high standard.

'All over the world the smartest people in science and technology can compete, and we will pick 25 of them to come to the US on research grants,' she said.

'We have put together a distinguished panel in the US comprising the best science and engineering people. We are looking for people who are doing amazing work and will give them a chance to come to the US and also give Americans a chance to see who these people are.'

International exchanges were all the more important in today's world, she added. 'American doors are open to international students and scholars; we do want them to keep coming. It is good for our country and we believe it is good for the countries they come from to build these bridges in scientific research, which is really global. No field of science is done just in one country.'

Two Hong Kong doctoral students are going to the US this year for  dissertation research, thanks to scholarships offered under the Fulbright programme, with donations from AIG and Bank of America (Asia). Administered by the Hong Kong America Centre, the scholarships allow for local postgraduate students to spend six to 10 months in the US to do research for their PhD dissertations. Applications are invited in November.

The government's Student Financial Assistance Agency is administering a range of scholarships, such as the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fellowships for outstanding Hong Kong students who are expected to contribute significantly to the development of Hong Kong, and the Li Po Chun Charitable Trust Fund - Overseas Postgraduate Study and Professional Training Scholarship.

Nottingham Trent University is nurturing creative talent  by offering master's programmes in art and design, computer game design, globalisation and media, journalism, cinema studies and creative writing. Information is available at the Student Financial Assistance Agency (www.sfaa.gov.hk).

Other sources of support for studying in Britain include Chevening scholarships administered by the British Council. About 24 people were awarded scholarships out of 229 applicants in the fields of  law, business administration, management, marketing, economics, finance and literature.

One Canadian university is offering financial awards to Hong Kong students enrolled in its first year honours programmes. Seven Hong Kong students at the University of Western Ontario (UWO) have been awarded grants - two received C$2,500 ($17,435) each and five  received C$1,000 each - under the 125th Anniversary Hong Kong Student Award Fund, made possible by donations from UWO Hong Kong alumni and friends.

About $1.5 million has been raised for the endowment fund. The awards are given annually and all recipients are entitled to the offer throughout their studies, provided they maintain  high academic standards.

A spokesman for the UWO alumni office in Hong Kong said there were plans to set up postgraduate scholarships for local students at the university.

Abundant scholarships for international students will be on offer in Australia from member institutions of the International Centre of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education for master's, bachelor's and diploma-level studies starting next year.

Annual grants of up to A$10,000 ($58,385) per year are available at member institutions, including Victoria University and the University of Queensland. Applications close on September 29. For information, visit www.the-ice.org.

Scholarship information

Destination/websites:

The United States www.fundingusstudy.org

Britain www.britishcouncil.org/hongkong-education-scholarships.htm;

Australia http://studyinaustralia.gov.au; www.idp.com/hongkong

Japan www.hk.emb-japan.go.jp

Canada www.studycanada.ca/hongkong/scholarships.htm; www.uwo.ca (University of Western Ontario)



Doors open for best and brightest