AISL Harrow Scholarships Supporting Educational Excellence

“The key objective is to promote the advancement of education by providing scholarships for academically gifted students from around the world,” said Dr Rosanna Wong, DBE, JP, board member of the AISL Harrow Scholarships Foundation, which was founded in May 2022 as part of a broader range of corporate social responsibility initiatives. “AISL aims to create a positive impact in our communities by fostering the development of talented individuals with the potential to shape a brighter future for our world.”

Ten schools are taking part in the current round of the scheme. This includes the AISL Harrow Schools in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen Qianhai, Haikou and Bangkok. Four others, getting involved for the first time this year, are in Hengqin, Chongqing, Nanning, and Appi in Japan.

Each school will award up to two scholarships and, not surprisingly, any candidate should be ready for a competitive selection process which is overseen by experienced educators and members of the AISL executive committee.

In general terms, they will be looking for a record of high academic performance, clear leadership potential, interest and involvement in co-curricular activities, and a commitment to service.

Beyond that, applicants who already exhibit Harrow’s core values – courage, honour, humility and fellowship – are likely to have an advantage. And the selection panels will also be keen to see instances of willingness to take on new challenges and a commitment to continuous improvement.

“We encourage applicants to have a good understanding of AISL Harrow Schools and hope they can show their true selves during the interview by freely engaging in discussions about topics that genuinely interest them,” Wong said.

The first group of scholarship holders graduated in mid-2023, achieving uniformly high grades in their final A-Level exams. They received offers from some of the world’s top universities including Cambridge, Harvard, and the University of Pennsylvania.

Sharing of AISL Harrow Scholarships Winners:

“I applied for the AISL Harrow Scholarships due to the stellar international reputation of the Harrow school brand. This was a unique opportunity to pursue a world class A-Level education while showcasing my academic talents and competing with the best,” said Bob Wong.

“We have been able to get exceptional university support at Harrow Hong Kong, with 2 hours dedicated to "University Preparation" each week, allowing us to understand application processes, research universities extensively, and receive valuable insights from guest speakers and alumni,” said Peony Sham.

“One major benefit of being a student at Harrow Hong Kong is the amount of support provided for prospective UK university applicants. The teachers give a lot of support for writing and editing the Personal Statement for UCAS. As a Cambridge applicant, I benefit from the school's Oxbridge program, which offers guidance for college selection, dedicated lessons for admissions test preparation, and interview readiness, including mock Zoom interviews with department heads,” said Kyan Cheung.

“The scholarship opportunities would support me in the future development to become a more competitive university applicant. The vast range of extracurricular activities and super curricular activities also assist me in my development. The support I receive from the teachers and my hard-working peers will also push my studies to the next level,” said Chess Jirasiriariyakul.

AISL has established itself as a leading provider of K-12 international education in Asia, operating 12 campuses across the continent. In the 2022-2023 academic year, AISL admitted over 2,000 new students, had an enrollment of over 7,000 students, and employed nearly 2,000 faculty and staff members. While expanding its reach and resources in Asia, AISL remains committed to its corporate social responsibilities and hence bringing the scale and financial support of the AISL Harrow Scholarships programme to the next level this year. By providing scale and substantial financial support, AISL is ensuring that deserving students have the opportunity to excel and contribute to society.

To assist any new boarders, key staff live on site and, if necessary, are on hand around the clock to offer sensible advice and practical support.

“The system of pastoral care fosters a close-knit, family atmosphere in which boarders feel at home and where they feel happy, secure and valued,” Wong said. “Each boarding house has a master or mistress designated to oversee all aspects of life and to ensure that high standards are maintained. From the pursuit of academic excellence to the fostering of personal growth, boarders exhibit remarkable advancements thanks to the 24/7 availability of boarding staff and full access to school facilities.”

For anyone looking to apply for a scholarship, the first step is to submit an expression of interest form. Candidates who are shortlisted will then be invited to take an A-Level assessment test before January 31, 2024. That will be followed by online interviews during February, with the final outcomes to be announced next April 8.