News | Friday, 25th September 2020
New scholarships to support disadvantaged Black, Asian and mixed heritage students at university
The Manchester Metropolitan scholarships will be funded by SJM Concerts to help reduce inequality
A scholarship programme to support and encourage disadvantaged Black, Asian and mixed heritage students to study at university has been launched at Manchester Metropolitan University.
In partnership with SJM Concerts – a Manchester-based company at the forefront of the live UK music market – a scholarship of £1,200 each year will be gifted to 36 students from some under-represented ethnicities and low-income backgrounds on Events, Business, Law and Music and Sound Design courses.
The company developed the SJM Concerts Futures Scholarship initiative in a bid to help the ongoing fight for equality.
Transformative opportunities
Professor Jenny Watling, Pro-Vice-Chancellor International and the University Executive Group lead for race equality, said: “We’re delighted to be able to partner SJM Concerts for these scholarships that will have a real impact on the lives of students.
“We strive to be an inclusive university and to ensure we are doing all we can to give those who wouldn't necessarily have had the opportunity, the chance to come to university and support them whilst they are here. We hope these scholarships can begin to address the attainment gap in higher education experienced by some ethnic minority communities.
“We are extremely grateful to SJM Concerts for their kind support.”
Simon Moran, Managing Director of SJM Concerts, wanted to support students at Manchester Metropolitan in the business and events subject areas, reflecting the music and events industry for which SJM Concerts are best known. The company also supports students through scholarships at the University of Sheffield.
Moran said: “As a company, we are proud to support these scholarships. A successful society is a diverse society, where individuals can succeed regardless of their background. I look forward to celebrating the future achievements of these students.”
Support
From this September, the scholarships will be awarded to 12 new students per year for three years while they study Events Management, Business, Law and Music and Sound Design programmes at Manchester Metropolitan University.
They will each to receive a scholarship of £1,200 for every year of the three-year duration of their courses at the University.
Manchester Metropolitan University provides many schemes to provide support and encouragement to those from backgrounds who do not usually enter higher education, including the First Generation scheme that provides students studying and living in Greater Manchester, who are the first in their family to go to university, with continued financial, professional and personal support throughout their studies and into employment.
