A warm welcome to new Rowan Williams Cambridge Students

The newest cohort of Rowan Williams Cambridge Students have taken up their places at the University of Cambridge this academic year.

The Rowan Williams Cambridge Studentship, established by the Cambridge Trust in 2018, supports students from areas of instability or conflict who face severe barriers in coming to Cambridge.

Named for the former Chair of the Trust, the studentships are full-cost awards available to eligible undergraduate and postgraduate students whose education has been disrupted and who would otherwise find it difficult to carry out their studies at the University.

Since the programme began in 2018, 61 exceptional such students have been supported, with 16 PhD students, three Masters’ students and seven undergraduate students currently in residence in Cambridge undertaking their studies in a wide range of subjects.

Helen Pennant, Director of the Trust, hosted a dinner on 23 October to welcome the new Rowan Williams Cambridge Students to Cambridge and to introduce them to existing participants of the programme. In her remarks, she stated how proud the Trust is to welcome students who have faced many challenges on their pathways to Cambridge.

Helen was joined by Professor Loraine Gelsthorpe, Deputy Chair of the Trust’s board, and Dr James Gardom, Chaplain of Pembroke College.

Dr Gardom urged the students to support each other, speaking of the sense of belonging that the programme strives to bring to its recipients. Professor Gelsthorpe encouraged them to rely on the Trust as a source of information and support.

The Trust is thankful to all those who support the programme, including many Cambridge Colleges (Trinity; Wolfson; Pembroke; Lucy Cavendish; Newnham) and to the STAR student network who champion the objectives of the programme.

Watch/listen to Dr. Rowan Williams speaking in 2018 about the establishment of the studentships and the need for them.