Bursary scheme that has ‘made all the difference’

The bursary scheme for the children of asylum seekers run by Strathclyde University has opened a new world for Shenaz Tawfiq.

The 20-year-old, whose parents came to the UK in 2001 to escape the war in Somalia, excelled at Shawlands Academy with three Highers and two Advanced Highers. However, without the financial support from Strathclyde she would never have been able to pay the annual fees of around £10,000 for her degree in pharmacy.

“The bursary has made all the difference,” she said.

Miss Tawfiq is now enjoying her university course and is making new friends, but she is aware of others in her position who are not so lucky.

While she does worry that her studies may be cut short if her family’s claim for asylum fails, she believes the Strathclyde scheme should be available to more students.

ANDREW DENHOLM, Education Correspondent, The Herald
http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/education/display.var.1412196.0.0.php