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The Optiver Foundation partners with Oxford University

We’re pleased to announce that the Optiver Foundation is partnering with the University of Oxford to launch an international scholarship programme to encourage diversity in STEM-related education.

The scholarship programme will provide support for 30 masters’ students over a period of five years, and is focussed on empowering women from low and middle-income countries, to access STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education at a postgraduate level.

The Optiver Foundation will provide scholars with full financial support for their course fees, as well as a stipend to cover living costs. They will also have access to tailored induction activities, mentoring and on-course support. The programme will play an important role in increasing postgraduate diversity in STEM subjects at Oxford, as well as contribute to a building a more diverse workforce in the longer term. The first Optiver Foundation Scholars will begin their studies at Oxford in October 2023.

The Optiver Foundation is committed to women’s empowerment at all levels of society. Earlier in the year, it joined forces with Women Win to develop ‘Stemming the Gap: the Free STEM Fund’. Through this new partnership with Oxford University, the foundation hopes to empower future generations with equal learning opportunities, and create a more inclusive and diverse future for everyone.

Charles Lui, Chairman of the Optiver Foundation, said: ‘We are excited to partner with Oxford to support and empower women from disadvantaged backgrounds to access quality postgraduate STEM education. The new Optiver Foundation Scholarship programme will not only strengthen the diverse representation in STEM studies, and potentially the future workforce, but will also create a meaningful positive impact on those who need it the most. We’re pleased that our contribution will support those who share the same passions as us to continue pursuing their interests in STEM.’

Professor Martin Williams, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education at Oxford, said: ‘We are delighted to be able to launch this fantastic new postgraduate scholarship. The University is committed to increasing the diversity of its student body as well as the diversity of perspectives in STEM subjects, and the Optiver Foundation’s donation will enable us to further accelerate our progress in this area by ensuring we target support at those who need it the most. We are very grateful for their generosity.’

A signing ceremony was held this week, with Rashid Shah, Managing Director of the Optiver Foundation, and Professor Martin Williams, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) from the University of Oxford, in attendance.

More information about the Optiver Foundation Scholarships will be available once the annual application window for postgraduate study at Oxford opens in September.

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