§ Baroness Airey of Abingdonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What new proposals they have to help more overseas students from developing countries to study in Britain.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Young)My honourable friend the Minister of State for Overseas Development proposes to set up a new scheme called the Overseas Development Administration Shared Scholarship Scheme (ODASSS). Up to 450 scholarships over five years will be available (up to 50 in the first year and up to 100 a year thereafter). It will be jointly funded by the Overseas Development Administration and by those universities and polytechnics which wish to participate. Awards will be open to students from developing Commonwealth countries.
The first awards will be in academic year 1986–87 and we shall seek the appropriate financial provision in due course. The awards will be for those of excellent academic calibre who do not qualify for assistance under existing Government support schemes and who are unable to finance the cost themselves.
The scheme has been drawn up after informal discussions with organisations and individuals concerned with overseas students and higher education in Britain. The Overseas Development Administration will be having further detailed discussions with these organisations before the scheme comes into operation.