Merdeka Scholarships

Overview

The Khazanah-Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Merdeka Scholarships, established to mark the 50th anniversary of Malaysia's independence, are intended to enable outstanding Malaysian students to undertake postgraduate study at the University of Oxford.

Subject areas may be drawn from a range of fields. Candidates are required to demonstrate a high level of academic achievement, and how their study will make a contribution to the future needs of Malaysia.

Awards will include University and College fees, accommodation and subsistence allowances, and return air fares. Awards are renewable annually through the duration of the programme of study.

Eligibility

Candidates, who must be citizens of Malaysia, should have an excellent record of academic achievement and a proven capacity for independent research. Attention will also be given to the personal qualities of the candidates in terms of their leadership potential and ability to communicate. Candidates will be expected to show how their careers and the wider interests of Malaysia will benefit from a period of study at Oxford.

The fields of study covered by the Scholarship Programme include the following:

a) Business: Economics, Finance, Investment, Law, Actuarial Science;
b) Bio-medical Sciences: Bio-chemistry, Food Technology, Bio-technology, Bio-engineering, Molecular Biology, Genomics and Bio-informatics;
c) Engineering: Electronics, Micro-Electronics, Nano-technology, Materials Science.

Other fields may be considered.

How to Apply

To apply, applicants are required to submit the following:

• The completed application form;
• A signed personal statement of no more than 1,000 words that includes a description of the intended area of study and describes how this will benefit Malaysia. The statement should also outline the applicant's reasons for wanting to study at Oxford, and summarise the personal qualities that would make them a worthy recipient of a scholarship;
• A list of academic qualifications and other awards and honours received;
• A statement of the status of their application to the University of Oxford;
• Two confidential letters of recommendation from referees who can assess in detail the applicant's academic performance and potential. The recommendation letters must reach the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies by the application deadline.

All application documents must reach the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies by
20th November 2009.

All correspondence should be addressed to:

The Academic Assistant,
Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies,
George Street,
Oxford OX1 2AR,

UK Tel: 44 1865 278730
Fax: 44 1865 248942
e-mail: academic.assistant@oxcis.ac.uk