More than 60 DMU students from around the world received their scholarship awards at a special ceremony on campus.
As part of their welcome into the DMU community, students from countries including China, Brazil, India, Vietnam and Ghana were treated to a buffet, drinks and speeches, as well as receiving certificates to mark their achievement.
Nguyen Thuy Linh, from Vietnam, won the prestigious Square Mile International Scholarship. This pays for her full year on MSc International Business and Corporate Social Responsibility, and is given to only one student.
Linh said: “I never thought I could get a scholarship like this from a British university. Even without this, I would have wanted to come here as there are very few places which offer my course.
"DMU focuses on bringing together the community and the university, which is very impressive. I wanted an environment where I could get involved in more than study. DMU provides this in an international environment.”
DMU’s Pro Vice-Chancellor of Strategic and International Partnerships, James Gardner opened the ceremony. He said: “With more than 2,300 international students, DMU’s focus on international has contributed to the university’s improvement in its rankings.
“I am particularly proud to open this event tonight as the first of its kind to celebrate these awards. Dedicating £1.3million towards student scholarships annually, we attract the very best students and make education more accessible.”
Stephen Wallis, DMU’s Director of International added: “We wish you every success in your studies, you should be very proud of your achievements.”
Kemiao Zheng, a Business and Management student won a China Excellence Scholarship and said: “It’s a great honour to win this China Excellence award. Time has gone really fast since September and I am really enjoying it. My favourite part has been meeting all the people from all over the world.”
Gabriella Fernandes Murari was awarded the Brazil Postgraduate Scholarship for her Master’s in Architectural Design. She said: “It’s quite amazing. It is the first time I had left Brazil and passing over the ocean has been a great experience.
“Since I started, I have already been on two #DMUglobal trips to Venice and Washington which has really helped increase my knowledge in the field of architecture.”
#DMUglobal is the university's pioneering programme giving students valuable international experience during their studies.
Winner of one of five GREAT India Scholarships, Nawaz Shaikh studying the MBA Global said: “I would like to thank DMU for this, I have always aspired to study in the UK.”
Ghanaian student Phyllis Basigiye, who won the Ghana Gold Scholarship said: “It is a privilege to have this scholarship. I never imagined I would be at this university. I didn’t have any means to study overseas.
“I would like to thank DMU for the opportunity to come here and pursue my dreams. I have learnt so much already from my programme.”
Posted on Monday 16 February 2015