Applications now open for Conflict Zone Bursary thanks to generous donors and students

A group of UWE students who found themselves affected by the violence in the Gaza strip have raised over £5000 to establish the first UWE Conflict Zone Bursary. Thanks to support from over 30 generous individuals, members of the UWE's Islamic Society and UWE Free Gaza society, applications for the bursary are now open.

Thanks also to matched funding from the University, the bursary will enable a gifted student to leave dangerous surroundings and study for a qualification at UWE. The student will be provided with a scholarship which will cover all costs for including fees, maintenance, flights and orientation. For 2011/12, it has been decided that the scholarship will be awarded to a student from Palestine, preferably Gaza.

The successful applicant will be chosen on the basis of a 400 word essay detailing how the student will make use of a UWE degree to the benefit the their home country when they return after their studies.

The deadline for applications for the Conflict Zone Bursary is 1 July 2011. Eligible applicants will have submitted an application for a programme and the bursary by this date in order to be considered. All applicants with Palestinian nationality and who are currently domiciled in Palestine will automatically be sent a conflict zone bursary application form via their welcome portal.

The successful applicant will be informed on 15 July 2011 with the condition that they have received an unconditional offer to study at UWE by 1 August 2011.

UWE student Yazan Abu-jbara said of the bursary "We aspire to champion the real people behind the politics who are in intolerable situations and experiencing unimaginable suffering. The Conflict Zone Bursary fund has been set up in order to offer these people a way out. We hope the project will run annually to create lasting legacy, offering scholarships to students from war torn countries."

The team hope to raise a further £5000 this year to provide a second bursary, and with their evident passion and boundless enthusiam, we think they have a great chance of success. To make a donation visit our Supporters pages.