BACKGROUND:

The Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest (first awarded in 1902) international scholarship programme, that enables outstanding young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford. Our reputation as the world's most distinguished academic scholarship rests not on the controversial life of our founder Cecil Rhodes, but on the enormous contributions our Scholars have made to the world. The qualities sought in a Rhodes Scholar - intellectual distinction combined with concern for others, energy to lead, and a focus on public service – are espoused by global leaders across various fields.

The Zambia Constituency of the Rhodes Trust has a comprehensive outreach programme that aims to increase awareness of the Scholarship across the country’s Tier 1 Higher Education Institutions and secondary schools to encourage students to apply and help them consider how they prepare for their applications. Following successful engagement with schools and universities in the country’s Southern, Central, Copperbelt and Lusaka Provinces, outreach will be conducted in what is colloquially dubbed Zambia’s 11th province – the diaspora – as Zambian residents from around the world are equally eligible to apply for the Scholarship.

As we celebrate 120 years of the Rhodes Scholarship and as Zambia celebrates her 60th independence anniversary, Zambian scholars in Oxford and beyond have expressed a desire to engage stakeholders on how they support the country’s development agenda. The timing is fortuitous for international outreach of the Scholarship.

EVENT DESCRIPTION:

Zambia celebrates her 60th independence anniversary this year.  To commemorate the occasion, the Zambia constituency of Rhodes Scholars is hosting Zambians and friends of Zambia in Oxford and beyond to engage the Zambian administration on how stakeholders can better support the country’s development agenda.

This comes at a time when Zambia faces great economic challenges and yet must take advantage of opportunities to build a stronger foundation for our country’s future. ‘Standing Up for Zambia’ is a half day event that presents an opportunity for 100 influential and ambitious Zambians and stakeholders engage the Republican President of Zambia and his government’s strategies to redirect the economic trajectory of the country. At this event world renowned experts, current and upcoming scholars, and friends of Zambia can share perspectives on sector specific interventions that promote economic recovery and growth.

The event will also present captive audience for outreach to students and others interested in information about the Rhodes Scholarship and studying at the University of Oxford.

OBJECTIVES AND PLANNED OUTCOMES

The event has three objectives:

● To demonstrate how Zambia’s best intellectual human capital exports from Zambian Universities lead and excel in the diaspora, presenting opportunities to support Zambia’s development agenda through research and other collaboration opportunities

● To showcase the leadership and intellectual works of Zambians studying in the United Kingdom, including masters, doctoral and postdoctoral students from Zambian higher education institutions

● To encourage applications from Zambians to study at the University of Oxford through the Rhodes scholarship and other opportunities (Crucible A Level Scholarships, Rise Scholarships,MasterCard Foundation, Commonwealth scholarship, Beit scholarship, Chevening scholarship, scholarship and so on)