31 Oct 07

The scholarship holder will be a member of New College

A full scholarship for Japanese graduate students has been announced by New College, and Aso Group Japan. The endowment from the Aso Group, the President of which is Yutaka Aso, an old member of New College, will provide full funding for a Japanese national or an individual who speaks Japanese as a first language undertaking graduate study in any subject area where New College accepts applications.

The Aso-New College Oxford Scholarship scheme has been established with a view to deepening the link between Japan, particularly Fukuoka Prefecture, and the University of Oxford. Applicants should have been born, brought up, or partly schooled in Fukuoka Prefecture, and must speak Japanese as a first language.
 
The scholarship will cover University and college fees, maintenance and return air travel to the UK. New College will also offer suitable holiday-period housing for the recipient of a scholarship. There will be funding for one graduate student per year, and it is hoped the Aso-New College Oxford Scholarship will become the most prestigious available for a Japanese studying in Oxford.

Yutaka Aso studied for a Diploma in Social and Political Studies at New College from 1969 to 1971. Professor Alan Ryan, Warden and Tutor in Political Philosophy at New College, newly appointed tutor when Mr Aso was a student, has ‘the happiest memories of teaching him the mysteries of political theory as understood in the Oxford syllabuses of the day. His creation of the scholarship brings our relationship full circle in the happiest possible way.’

The Vice-Chancellor Dr John Hood said: ‘The University is very grateful for Mr Aso’s generosity, and we hope the scholarship will help to strengthen our ties with Japan, and Japanese students, in particular.’