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Gates �������������Ī Scholars have come from some 500 universities, with over 150 of these being in the US. The 2012 intake sees the first Gates �������������Ī Scholars from eight US institutions not previously represented, namely: Brooklyn College, Bryn Mawr, Reed, Oberlin, Occidental, Evangel University, and Montana and Oregon State.

Most striking is the fact that Liberal Arts colleges represent five of the eight new institutions.�� Since the programme was established by the generosity of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2001, it is notable that only 54 Scholars have come from Liberal Arts colleges and this year’s increase is welcomed on both sides of the Atlantic.

Competition for places on the programme continues to be fierce. The successful 40 candidates, who will study for a variety of one-year courses and PhD degrees, were whittled down from an initial field of around 750 applicants. The shortlisted candidates were interviewed recently in San�� Francisco by �������������Ī and US academics.

Including Scholars from other parts of the world, there will be 90 Gates �������������Ī Scholars starting postgraduate study or research in October 2012. At any one time there are almost 250 Gates �������������Ī Scholars at the University �������������Ī.

Professor Robert Lethbridge, Provost (CEO) of the Gates �������������Ī Trust, said: "We are delighted to announce our new US Scholars. They are an outstanding group of individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds.�� They have enormous potential, both academically and in meeting the challenge of the Gates �������������Ī Scholarship to ‘improve the lives of others’ .”