The COSARAF Charitable Foundation (“COSARAF”) and the Oxford Pakistan Programme (the “OPP”) are pleased to announce the launch of three graduate Sheikh Family Studentships for the academic year 2022-2023. Awards of £3,000 and above are made available for Pakistani and British Pakistani students who are continuing / on-course students at the University of Oxford, and demonstrate both financial need and academic excellence. Preference will be given to applicants whose research is of direct relevance and benefit to Pakistan or the British Pakistani community.

The Sheikh Family Studentships have been made possible through the generous support of the Sheikh family through COSARAF and are designed to provide support to graduate students of Pakistani origin, who remain the most underrepresented BAME group at the graduate level at Oxford.

COSARAF was established in 2007 by Mr Haroon and Farouq Sheikh, and the wider Sheikh family, to benefit communities and individuals in the UK and abroad, with a particular focus on Africa (especially East Africa) and South Asia. More information about COSARAF and its initiatives can be found at: https://www.cosaraf.org

The OPP is a first of its kind initiative at the University of Oxford which is addressing the underrepresentation of Pakistani origin students at Oxford and providing support for Pakistan-related academic activity at the University. The OPP works closely with Lady Margaret Hall, a constituent college of the University of Oxford, in the delivery of its initiatives. More information on the OPP can be found at: https://oxpakprogramme.org/