QMUL international scholars celebrated in prestigious event

Over 180 scholars attended the Queen Mary International Scholars Reception

Over 180 scholars attended the Queen Mary International Scholars Reception on 1 March 2017. They were joined by representatives from the embassies of Colombia, China, Thailand, Kuwait, Iraq, Philippines, Pakistan, Mexico, Chevening Scholarships Secretariat, Commonwealth Scholarships Commission, Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission, and QMUL departmental staff.

The event at the People’s Palace at Mile End campus was organised to recognize and celebrate the contributions of QMUL’s international scholars. QMUL is home to students from 162 nationalities, and receives funded scholars from more than 50 international funding bodies. Thirty five per cent of QMUL students are from outside the UK, and the university boasts an impressively international teaching body too, with over 33 per cent of staff coming from overseas.

Last year, QMUL recorded its largest ever intake of new students from overseas.

Professor Simon Gaskell, QMUL’s President and Principal hosted the event. He said: “QMUL remains an attractive destination for international scholars, thanks to our research-intensive culture, excellent teaching, supportive staff and our position as a member of the Russell Group of universities. We are extremely proud to have such a strong community of international students and hope that their time here will be fulfilling and of great value to their future.”

Professor David Sadler, Vice Principal (International), commented: “QMUL is committed to ensuring that our international students receive the best possible educational, cultural, and social experiences on offer. We are proud to host such a diverse and talented group of international scholars, and believe this is testament to the high quality of our teaching and research, as well the international character of the QMUL community.”

Vanessa Worthington, Programme Officer at the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) said: "It was great to meet so many of our Commonwealth Scholars at the event, and to hear about their experiences studying such a wide range of subjects at QMUL, from Finance to Public Health. There are 13 Commonwealth Scholars at QMUL this year, including eight studying by distance learning. The Commission appreciates QMUL’s support for the Scholars, and for the Commonwealth Scholarships scheme as a whole."