20 Post-Secondary Students Receive Premier's Scholarships For Study Abroad

VICTORIA, Sept. 11, 2013 /CNW/ - 20 BC students have been awarded between $6,000 and $10,000 each in Premier's International Scholarships by the Irving K. Barber British Columbia Scholarship Society for study abroad.

The students are enrolled in overseas programs in fourteen different countries and will be studying a wide variety of subjects ranging from: Law, Anthropology, and Tourism, to Mathematics, International Relations, and Fine Arts.

Premier's scholarships are funded from the returns on a $15 million endowment fund established by the Province of B.C. for international education. The scholarships are part of the One World international scholarship program managed by the Society. The Ministry of Advanced Education provided an additional $2 million for the program in 2012 as part of British Columbia's International Education Strategy.

"I know firsthand that studying overseas can be a life-changing experience," said Premier Christy Clark. "That's why I'm proud that our international education strategy will enhance scholarships to allow more British Columbian students to benefit from the experience of studying abroad."

Hugh Gordon, chair of the Irving K. Barber B. C. Scholarship Society noted that this year brought forward a record number of applications for the Premier's Scholarship program.

"The Society is pleased to see a steady increase in the number of students interested in broadening their education with a period of study in a different county", said Gordon.  "It suggests a generation of young British Columbians that see themselves as global citizens with an obligation to understand the world beyond our own borders."

The Irving K Barber BC Scholarship Society works with the Victoria Foundation to manage a series of scholarship and education award programs that support B.C. students attending public post-secondary institutions both throughout the province and outside the country. Since 2006, the Society has awarded more than $5 million from six programs.

A complete list of 2013 Premier's International Scholarship recipients can be found at www.bcscholarship.ca//web/news

SOURCE: Victoria Foundation

Media contact: 

Rory Grewar
Director of Special Funds, Victoria Foundation
250-381-5532
[email protected]