Our Objectives & Approach

 

Our aim is to aid social and economic development in Africa by providing scholarships that enable academically gifted students who would otherwise miss out on a tertiary education to gain a degree. Scholars give a personal pledge to work in their country after graduating, contributing to social and economic development of their nation, as well as benefiting themselves and their families.

 

The Tertiary Education Scholarship Trust (TEST) for Africa was formed by a group of graduates from Linacre College, Oxford University, together with the late Jennie Travers.  Jennie’s late husband, John Travers, pioneered the formation of the charity Schools Around The World at Cushman & Wakefield. The Trust retains strong links with Linacre College and the chair of the Trustees is Nick Brown, Principal of Linacre College.

 

After starting operations in Ghana, the Trust has expanded to offer scholarships in Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda.  Our charities in Africa are organised and managed by local residents, the majority of whom have received postgraduate education at the University of Oxford (Linacre College).

 

The Trust provides both full and partial scholarships for undergraduate study in a wide range of academic and practical subjects which, in the opinion of the local Trustees, are relevant for the social and economic development needs of their communities.

 

Awards are biased towards women (60:40) from the poorest regions of the countries. Scholarships to individual students are reviewed annually against both need and academic performance.

 

Scholars graduating with a First Class Honours degree are invited to apply for the Norman & Ivy Lloyd Scholarship at Linacre College, Oxford University, which provides full funding for one year Master’s degree studies.

 

Scholars have established local Alumni associations in Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda providing both a support network and championing the work of the Trust in their countries.  A network of mentors for students and new graduates is also being established.

 

Thanks to the generous support of Trustees, Scholars, Sponsors and others providing time, skills and money, the Trust is able to guarantee that 100% of all donations received are used to fund scholarships - zero goes on admin or fund raising.

 

The ultimate aim of TEST for AFRICA is to provide support to enable the local TEST charities to become self-sustainable.

 

The Trust complies with UK Charity law, filing accounts annually and is committed to operating in a totally transparent manner, and requires the same governance and transparent accounting by local branches of the Trust.