African scholarships announced during Kofi Annan’s visit

Professor Andrew Hamilton, Kofi Annan, Stefano Lucchini (Senior Executive Vice President - Public Affairs and Communication at Eni), and Alessandro Lanza (Chief Executive Officer at Eni Corporate University). New scholarships are available for African students wanting to study at Oxford University thanks to funding from the Italian oil company Eni. The announcement came during a visit to Oxford by former UN Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, who gave a lecture on the future of Africa to celebrate the 700th anniversary of Exeter College, as well as opening a new home for Oxford's African Studies Centre. As from October 2011, three scholarships a year will be open to candidates from Angola, Ghana and Nigeria who want to study one- or two-year taught Master's programmes offered through St Antony's College at Oxford. The scholarships will cover all tuition fees and living expenses, and are intended to nurture African students who have the potential to become future leaders in politics, business or public life. The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, Professor Andrew Hamilton, said: 'I am very grateful to Eni for creating this scholarship programme with St Antony's. Oxford has a proud tradition of undertaking scholarship on Africa, and encouraging scholars from Africa.' Mr Annan gave a lecture to celebrate the lead up to the 700th anniversary of Exeter College for invited guests and the wider Oxford community at the University's Sheldonian Theatre.