The Rhodes Scholarship, named after Cecil Rhodes Cecil John Rhodes DCL was an English-born businessman, mining magnate, and politician in South Africa. He was the founder of the diamond company De Beers, which today markets 40% of the world's rough diamonds and at one time marketed 90%. An ardent believer in colonialism and imperialism, he was the founder of the state of Rhodesia, which was, is an international postgraduate award for study at the University of Oxford The University of Oxford , located in the English city of Oxford, is the oldest surviving university in the English-speaking world and is regarded as one of the world's leading academic institutions. Although the exact date of foundation remains unclear, there is evidence of teaching there as far back as the 11th century. The University grew in Oxford, England Oxford (pronounced /ˈɒksfərd/ ) is a city, and the county town of Oxfordshire, in South East England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 151,000 living within the district boundary. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through Oxford and meet south of the city centre. For a distance,[1] and was the first large-scale programme of international scholarships A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.[2] Rhodes Scholars may study any full-time postgraduate course offered by the University,[3] whether a taught Master’s programme, a research degree, or a second undergraduate degree (senior status).
In the first instance, the scholarship is awarded for two years. However, it may also be held for one year or three years. Applications for a third year are considered during the course of the second year.
University and College fees are paid by the Rhodes Trust. In addition, Scholars receive a monthly maintenance stipend to cover accommodation and living expenses.[4][5] Although all scholars become affiliated with a residential college A residential college is an organisational pattern for a division of a university that places academic activity in a community setting of students and faculty, usually at a residence and with shared meals, the college having a degree of autonomy and a federated relationship with the overall university. However, the term residential college is also while at Oxford, they also enjoy access to Rhodes House, an early 20th century The 20th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1901 and ended on December 31, 2000. According to the Gregorian calendar, 2000 was the first century leap year since 1600 mansion with numerous public rooms, gardens, a library, study areas, and other facilities.
"For more than a century, Rhodes scholars have left Oxford with virtually any job available to them. For much of this time, they have overwhelmingly chosen paths in scholarship, teaching, writing, medicine, scientific research, law, the military and public service. They have reached the highest levels in virtually all fields."[6]
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History
Known as the "world's oldest and most prestigious international graduate scholarship",[7] the Rhodes Scholarships are administered and awarded by the Rhodes Trust, which was established in 1902 under the terms and conditions of the will of Cecil John Rhodes, and funded by his estate.[8] Scholarships have been awarded to applicants annually since 1902 on the basis of academic achievement and strength of character. There have been more than 7,000 Rhodes Scholars since the inception of the Trust. More than 4,000 are still living.[9]
In 1925, the Commonwealth Fund Fellowships (later renamed the Harkness Fellowships) were established to reciprocate the Rhodes Scholarships by enabling British graduates to study in the United States.[10] The Kennedy Scholarship program, created in 1966 as a living memorial to John F. Kennedy John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963, adopts a comparable selection process to the Rhodes Scholarships to allow 10 British post-graduate students per year to study at either Harvard Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the country, and it is regarded as one of the most prestigious. It is also the first corporation chartered in the United States or MIT The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological research. MIT is one of two private land-grant universities[b] and is also a sea-grant and space-.[11][12]
Standards
Rhodes' legacy specified four standards by which applicants were to be judged:
- literary and scholastic attainments;
- energy to use one's talents to the full, as exemplified by fondness for and success in sports;
- truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship;
- moral force of character and instincts to lead, and to take an interest in one's fellow beings.
This legacy originally provided for scholarships for the British colonies The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom, that had originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height it was the largest empire in history and, for over a, the United States ^ b. English is the de facto language of American government and the sole language spoken at home by 80% of Americans age five and older. Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language, and Germany A region named Germania, inhabited by several Germanic peoples, has been known and documented before AD 100. Beginning in the 10th century, German territories formed a central part of the Holy Roman Empire, which lasted until 1806. During the 16th century, northern Germany became the centre of the Protestant Reformation. As a modern nation-state,. These three were chosen so that " ... a good understanding between England, Germany and the United States of America will secure the peace of the world ... "[8]
Rhodes, who attended Oxford University (as a member of Oriel College), chose his alma mater as the site of his great experiment because he believed its residential colleges A residential college is an organisational pattern for a division of a university that places academic activity in a community setting of students and faculty, usually at a residence and with shared meals, the college having a degree of autonomy and a federated relationship with the overall university. However, the term residential college is also provided the ideal environment for intellectual contemplation and personal development.
Rhodes' original aim with the Scholarship, and subsequent changes
An early change was the elimination of the scholarships for Germany A region named Germania, inhabited by several Germanic peoples, has been known and documented before AD 100. Beginning in the 10th century, German territories formed a central part of the Holy Roman Empire, which lasted until 1806. During the 16th century, northern Germany became the centre of the Protestant Reformation. As a modern nation-state, during World Wars I World War I was a military conflict that lasted from 1914 to 1918 and involved most of the world's great powers, assembled in two opposing alliances: the Allies and the Central Powers. More than 70 million military personnel, including 60 million Europeans, were mobilized in one of the largest wars in history. More than 15 million people were and II Albania · Australia · Austria · Azerbaijan · Belarus · Belgium · Brazil · Bulgaria · Burma · Cambodia · Canada · Ceylon (Sri Lanka) · Channel Islands · China · Czechoslovakia · Denmark · Dutch East Indies · Egypt · Estonia · Finland · France · Germany · Gibraltar · Greece · Greenland · Hong Kong · Hungary · Iceland ·. No German scholars were chosen from 1914 to 1929, nor from 1940 to 1969.[13] Also, between the wars, for political and propaganda reasons Erich Vermehren was prevented by the German government from taking up a Rhodes Scholarship.[citation needed]
Rhodes' bequest was whittled down considerably in the first decades after his death, as various scholarship trustees were forced to pay taxes upon their own deaths. A change occurred in 1929, when an Act of Parliament An act of Parliament is a statute (commonly called a law) enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament established a fund separate from the original proceeds of Rhodes' will.[citation needed] This made it possible to expand the number of scholarships. For example, between 1993 and 1995, scholarships were extended to other countries in the European Community The European Community was the first of the three pillars of the European Union (EU) between 1992 and 2009. Created by the Maastricht Treaty (1992), it was based upon the principle of supranationalism and had its origins in the European Economic Community, the predecessor of the European Union. The Treaty of Lisbon abolished the entire pillar.
Because the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 in the United Kingdom did not affect wills, it took another Act of Parliament to change the Rhodes' will to extend selection criteria in 1977 to include women.[citation needed]
For at least its first 75 years, scholars usually studied for a Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both. Bachelor of Arts degree programs generally last three to four years depending upon the country, academic institution, and specific majors or minors degree. While that remains an option, more recent scholars usually study for an advanced degree.[citation needed]
Allocations
| Geographic constituency | 2006 allocation [citation needed] | 1902 allocation [8][13] |
|---|---|---|
| Australia[14][15] | 9 | 6 |
| Bermuda[16] | 1 | 1 |
| Canada[17] | 11 | 2 |
| Newfoundland | 1 | 1 |
| Germany[18] | 2 | — |
| Hong Kong | — | — |
| India[19][20] | 6 | — |
| Jamaica[21] | 1 | 1 |
| Commonwealth Caribbean | 1 | — |
| Kenya | 2 | — |
| New Zealand[22][23][24] | 3 | 1 |
| Pakistan | 1 | — |
| Southern Africa[25][26] | 10 | 5 |
| USA[27][28][29] | 32 | 32 |
| Zambia & Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) | 1 2 — | — — 3 |
| Total | 83 | 52 |
There were originally 52 scholarships.[8][13]
Four South African Coordinates: 29°02′46″S 25°03′47″E / 29.046°S 25.063°E The Republic of South Africa is a country located at the southern tip of Africa, with a 2,798 kilometres coastline on the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. To the north lie Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe; to the east are Mozambique and Swaziland; while Lesotho is an independent boys' schools were mentioned in Rhodes' will, each to receive an annual scholarship: the Boys High School, in Stellenbosch Stellenbosch is a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa, situated about 50 kilometers (30 miles) east of Cape Town, along the banks of the Eerste Rivier. It is the second oldest European settlement in the province, after Cape Town. The town became known as the City of Oaks or Eikestad in Afrikaans and Dutch due to the large number of (today known as Paul Roos Gymnasium); the Diocesan College (Bishops) in Rondebosch; the South African College School (SACS) in Newlands; and St Andrew's College in Grahamstown.
During the ensuing 100 years, the Trustees added at one time or another approximately another 40 scholarships, though not all have continued. Some of these extended the scheme to Commonwealth countries not mentioned in the Will.[9] A more detailed allocation by region by year can be found at Rhodes Scholarship Allocations. Very brief summaries of some of the terms and conditions can be found on the Trust's web site.[30][31] Complete details can be obtained from the nominating countries.[32]
Currently, scholars are selected from citizens of 14 specified geographic constituencies,[33][34] namely: Australia; Bermuda; Canada; Germany; Hong Kong; India; Jamaica & Commonwealth Caribbean; Kenya; New Zealand; Pakistan; Southern Africa (South Africa and neighbours Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia and Swaziland); USA; Zambia; and Zimbabwe.
From 2006, 11 scholarships were suspended for a period of 5 years.[why?][citation needed] The scholarships for Hong Kong Hong Kong[note 3] is one of two special administrative regions (SAR) of the People's Republic of China; the other is Macau. Situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour. With a land mass of 1,104 km2 (426 sq mi) and a population of seven were abolished in July 1997 following its withdrawal from the Commonwealth The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and previously as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states. All but two of these countries were formerly part of the British Empire (due to the transfer of sovereignty from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China b. ^ Simple characterizations of the political structure since the 1980s are no longer possible). However, with the benefaction from the Lee Hysan Foundation (described by the Rhodes Trust as "substantial and generous"[citation needed]), the Rhodes Scholarships for Hong Kong were reintroduced in late 2006.[35]
Notable Rhodes Scholarship recipients
A table of notable people who are also Rhodes Scholarship recipients can be found at List of Rhodes Scholars.
- See also: Rhodes scholars category
Centenary degrees
In recognition of the centenary of the foundation of the Rhodes Trust in 2003, four scholars were awarded honorary degrees A degree is any of a wide range of status levels conferred by institutions of higher education. Such as with other professions, teaching in universities is only carried out by people who are properly qualified. In the same way that a carpenter would pass through the grades of apprentice and journeyman to attain the status of master carpenter when by the University of Oxford:
- John Brademas (Indiana & Brasenose 1950), President of New York University, U.S. Congressman (Indiana), 1959-1981
- Robert J. L. (Bob) Hawke Robert James Lee "Bob" Hawke AC GCL was the 23rd Prime Minister of Australia and longest serving Australian Labor Party Prime Minister (Western Australia & University 1953), Prime Minister of Australia For at least 40,000 years before European settlement in the late 18th century, Australia was inhabited by indigenous Australians, who belonged to one or more of the roughly 250 language groups. After sporadic visits by fishermen from the immediate north and discovery by Dutch explorers in 1606, Australia's eastern half was claimed by Britain in 177, 1983-1991
- Rex Nettleford (Jamaica & Oriel 1957), Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, author, dance director
- David R. Woods (Rhodes & University 1963), Vice-Chancellor of Rhodes University
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