Charity funding secures places for students from conflict-affected countries

Coventry University’s Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations (CTPSR) is delighted that it can again welcome students from low-income, conflict-affected countries, thanks to scholarships funded by the Ferguson Trust for the next three years.

The funding news comes just as CTPSR re-launches its range of courses, including the MA Peace and Conflict Studies and MA Maritime Security.

The Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust’s core objectives of education, peace and development in the Third World, have enabled the Centre to offer a number of scholarships to students from low-income, conflict-affected countries, to study on their MA programmes.

Professor Mike Hardy, Executive Director of the Centre said:

The CTPSR offers high-quality postgraduate qualifications, shaped by research-active staff and informed by a concern for the real world, providing an opportunity to study in a highly interactive and supportive learning environment. We have a proven track record of results for our graduates, including previous recipients of the Ferguson Trust Scholarship.”

Ahmed Hersi, is a Somalian graduate who studied for an MA Maritime Security at the Coventry institute. He said:

I was introduced to Coventry MA Maritime Security through a colleague and certainly saw the relevance for me as it would enhance my career profile, professional standing and compliment my experiences in the field of human security.  I found the MA to be very well-tailored and delivered, with respect to widening my scope and knowledge in the maritime domain.”

Ahmed added:

The qualification has had a great impact on my career and I have now been appointed a Regional Manager for Eastern Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean region, co-ordinating different strands of maritime security.  Without the Ferguson Trust Scholarship I would not have been able to study for the MA. Its continued existence will help professionals and practitioners now and in the future.”

Another student, Olayanju Oluwatosin from Nigeria, who graduated with an MA in Peacebuilding, said:

Through my MA studies I met people from different cultural and racial backgrounds, united with a common purpose of learning how to make the world a better place. We all learnt different conflict management skills from each other and were given ample opportunities by lecturers to express our position on a diverse range of topics that address key issues on global security. Without the support of the Ferguson Trust, I would have struggled to experience the refinement of a world class academic institution such as Coventry University. This opportunity has presented me with invaluable knowledge, which I am sincerely thankful for.”

Olayanju added:

I chose to study peace education at Coventry as it is offered in an atmosphere that has witnessed the devastation of war, but now thrives in peace and tranquillity and is therefore beyond comparison.”

For further information, please contact Jeanette Lunt, external press and media relations officer, Coventry University, on +44 (0)24 7765 5050 or email jeanette.lunt@coventry.ac.uk.