The University of Glasgow is one of thirteen Russell Group Universities that have united in efforts to help rebuild the academic strengths of two Indonesian universities devastated by the Asian tsunami on December 26 of last year.

The British Universities' Scholarship Scheme for Higher Education Institutions in Aceh, Indonesia, will help the Institut Agama Islam Negeri Ar-Raniry (IAIN) and Universitas Syiah Kuala (UNSYIAH) in Banda Aceh strengthen the research and teaching skills of their junior academic staff to help fill the gaps left by colleagues killed in the devastating tsunami. The universities lost almost one in ten of their staff and students, and suffered major damage to their infrastructure. Even five months later they are still without direct communication links.

Each institution in the consortium will waive fees and cover living costs for one full Masters scholarship per year for the next four academic years, giving approximately 52 scholarships over the lifetime of the scheme. IAIN and UNSYIAH will nominate candidates for the scholarships, who will be selected by the UK institutions based on their normal admission criteria.

The British Council in Indonesia is generously supporting the scheme by providing free English language tuition for candidates to bring them up to the IELTS standards required by UK institutions.

"It is hoped that the University will be able to fund participants through our on-going efforts to fund-raise for Scholarships. The University has already undertaken various exercises to help the victims of the asian tsunami to the sum of £8,000," explains Cathy Bell of the Development at Alumni at the University.

"I am delighted that the University is continuing to support this cause in such an appropriate way. The real good news will come once those that have managed to complete their period of study here in Glasgow, return to Indonesia and put what they have learned into practice, helping those whose lives have literally been shattered because of this uncontrollable catastrophe," said Sir Muir Russell, Principal of the University of Glasgow.

Council director in Indonesia Professor Mike Hardy said: 'This is a wonderful achievement ﾖ and so appropriate for the needs of the two higher education institutions. We hope very much that the contacts established through these scholarships will become sustaining relationships. I am pleased that the British Council can assist.'

Earlier this year the University held an Interfaith gathering in memory of victims of tsunami earthquake disaster. The event was very well supported. Dr Alison Elliot the then Moderator of the Church of Scotland's Genera Assembly who had returned from visiting the affected region two days before, was the principal speaker. There were also speakers from diverse faith communities, including Ba'hi, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, and Sikhism, and a member of the Humanist community.

The impressive fundraising efforts from the University have been given to the Disaster Emergency Committee.

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For more details please contact the University Press Office on 0141 330-3535.

For more information on the scholarship scheme contact Hywel Coleman in the International Office on 0113 343 1733 or email h.coleman@adm.leeds.ac.uk.

First published: 6 June 2005