Top international scholars strengthen global ties at Imperial

More than 150 international scholars joined diplomats and academics at an event to celebrate their achievements at Imperial.

Top students from 40 countries, including the US, China, Singapore, Germany and India discussed their latest research and how they are adapting to life in London.

Vice-President (International) Professor Maggie Dallman welcomed Imperial’s large and diverse international community and recognised the scholars as ‘future leaders who will make a difference to society’.

Professor Dallman said: “We are proud to count some of the most brilliant minds from your countries among our students.

“These days there are certain factions against global collaboration, but we are passionate about keeping our doors open to all members of the global community.

“Collaborating across borders with people from different backgrounds, cultures and nationalities is what drives the best universities.

“Imperial is the UK’s most international university and we’re extremely proud of that.”

Professor Dallman urged the scholars to go on and ‘help solve societal problems like climate change and food security.

Imperial has been ranked the UK’s most international university by Times Higher Education for two consecutive years.

Every year Imperial attracts students from world-leading institutions such as MIT, to further their research and careers through programmes such as the Fulbright, Chevening and Marshall scholarships.

Chevening scholarship

Ananda Lakshmikumari, a Climate Change, Management & Finance masters student from India, joined Imperial through the Chevening scholarship programme.

Ananda said coming to London to study at Imperial was ‘a dream come true’.

She said: “Being amongst such a diverse set of talented individuals who are making positive change, is very inspiring.

“This has been a tremendous ride and this great institution is offering great opportunities.

“I have gathered so many memories such as being selected for the programme aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship and innovator spirit amongst women.

“It was wonderful to be surrounded by ambitious women. Imperial is at the forefront of encouraging women in STEM fields and business.

“Imperial recognises that solving problems like climate change can only be done through the inclusion of women.

“This masters gives me an opportunity to gain the skillset to transfer into the sustainability sector.
I hope to contribute my bit in nation building and help India transfer to a low carbon model.”

Fulbright scholarship

Nicholas McCarty, from Chicago in the US, joined Imperial from the University of Iowa through a Fulbright scholarship.

Nicholas said: “I spent four years in a lab doing basic science, understanding diabetes and metabolism and I was looking to do something applied.

“I saw that all the leaders in synthetic biology were from Imperial and it was the only place in world I knew of which had a dedicated centre.

“Imperial was the only place I had seen which put these researchers together from all different areas, all interested in engineering living cells.

Nicholas explained how a chance email to principal investigator Dr Tom Ellis led to him applying to Imperial.

He said: “I remember I was looking for ways to get to Imperial and I sent an email to Dr Ellis, I followed him on Twitter and asked for help to apply for scholarship. A few minutes later he replied offering to help with my application.

“The rest is history – everything worked out and now I work in his group.

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