Malawi Visit – David Livingstone Bicentenary Scholarships funded

The Scottish Government will fund 50 post graduate scholarships for young, gifted students to further their study in Malawi, Education Secretary Michael Russell said following a meeting with President Joyce Banda today.

The David Livingstone Bicentenary Scholarships, which will be funded through the Scotland Malawi Partnership, will cover tuition fees, essential research costs and living expenses to enable Malawian students to further their study on priority areas, outlined by the Malawian Government as part of its growth and development strategy.

The announcement comes ahead of celebrations in 2013, in both Scotland and Malawi, to mark the bicentenary of David Livingstone’s birth.

At least half of the scholarships will be awarded to women as part of both Governments’ work to improve access to education for females in Malawi.

Mr Russell said, ”Meeting President Joyce Banda today reinforces the special and long standing friendship between Malawi and Scotland, first established around 150 years ago by David Livingstone. I had very constructive discussions with the President today around the projects that Scotland is funding and how they are helping the Malawian Government to improve health and education.

To support the ongoing efforts, we have agreed that Scotland will fund 50 post graduate scholarships to provide more opportunities for women and young people in Malawi to enhance their knowledge and skills. These scholarships will be in areas which support the priorities that Malawi has identified in its economic recovery plan such as energy and social development.”

Her Excellency President Joyce Banda said, ”One of the biggest challenges for our higher education system is lack of resources. This is therefore a very timely intervention in Malawi’s higher education sector.

Many deserving Malawian boys and girls fail to access tertiary education because government scholarships are few and the students cannot afford fees in private institutions. I am very grateful to the Scottish Government for this timely gesture.

Professor T. Jack Thompson, Scottish historian and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Livingstonia commented, ”As we begin preparations to celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of David Livingstone it is entirely appropriate that the Scottish Government should announce the launching of 50 David Livingstone scholarships to help young Malawian scholars study for Masters degrees.

“Livingstone was the first of a long line of Scots who have linked Malawi and Scotland during the last century and a half. Many of them were deeply interested in education, and these scholarships will be of great help in moving that educational partnership forward. There will be no shortage of able young Malawian scholars eager to take advantage of this unique opportunity.”

Related:
Updates from Malawi Visit – October/November 2012.

2005 Co-operation Agreement between Scotland and Malawi.

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