Updated on: Wednesday, October 12, 2011
A Delhi University graduate, Hem Borker, has become the 50th Indian student to win the prestigious Clarendon Fund scholarship to study at Oxford.
Ms. Borker, whose research will examine Muslim identity, gender and madrassa education, said it had always been her “dream” to study at Oxford.
“All of us have dreams we deeply cherish and hold close to our heart yet it’s not just our courage in our own conviction which keeps them alive — it’s the support of those who believe in our belief which gives us the ability to go on. For me the Clarendon Scholarship represents the recognition of that belief, a scholarship which recognises you not just for your achievements but also your potential,” she said.
In a statement, the university said the Clarendon Fund was the Oxford’s largest university-run scholarship for international graduate students, and currently, there were 18 Clarendon scholars from India.
“Since the first scholars arrived in 2001, over 1,000 students from more than 60 nationalities have been supported by the Clarendon Fund,” it said.
Arunabha Ghosh, one of the first Indian students to receive a Clarendon Fund scholarship, said: “The Clarendon scholarship changed my life because it allowed me to pursue my interest in international relations much sooner than I had expected.’’