From September 2012 many leading universities will increase their tuition fees in UK to £9,000 per year. The impact is already being felt with a drop in the number of applications to higher education and a real fear it will disproportionately affect students from low income families, many from the African, Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities who are already at the bottom of the education attainment levels and at the top for poverty and deprivation.
“The Muslim Student Academy would like to recognise those individuals within those hardest hit communities who strive to succeed in education and contribute to society despite these challenges. The MSA believes it is crucial to support the growth of social capital from amongst young Muslims who are actively demonstrating leadership, social responsibility and peer role models. To achieve this it will provide five bursaries for students who have proven academic merit, demonstrated civic contribution and articulated a clear vision of their role in wider society which will benefit all communities” says Shaban Siddik, Trustee of Muslim Student Academy.
The MSA is appealing to mainstream Muslim organisations who celebrate the achievements of the British Muslim community, recognise the need to encourage social investment through strong community institutions, nurture talented young people and create social capital by supporting future leaders.
For this project to succeed the MSA hopes all leading Muslim and British institutions and individuals to extend their help by offering whole or partial sponsors to provide a bursary of up to £3,000 for a single academic year. A full sponsorship will provide the sponsor with a named bursary of their choosing, media coverage through the planned promotional campaign during May-July 2012 on all Muslim media platforms (television, online and print media) and an invitation to mentor and support the young people through and beyond their academic career. A representative from the sponsoring body will also be invited to be a part of the judging panel for all applications in their selected category.
The sponsorship entitles the sponsor to receive the student during the summer period as an intern to gain valuable experience in their chosen area of work (and work alongside noted people of talent). You can choose to sponsor from the following categories:
* Accounting, banking and finance
* Arts, media and culture
* Business and management
* Biosciences and engineering
* Childhood, education and development
* Legal and social studies
* Other
The MSA welcomes those who wish to further their vision but may not be able to provide a full scholarship be becoming a Supporting Organisation. For a donation of £1,500 MSA will ensure the sponsoring organisation’s logo will be on all materials in the press and media.
All scholarship students will be supported during their academic year to embody the principles of the Muslim Student Academy and the respective sponsoring body, support future students and continue to convey the MSA ideals as alumni of MSA students.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or would like to know how to support the Muslim Student Academy please contact Shaban Siddik, Trustee, on +44(0)7889 167421 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.muslimstudentacademy.org.uk