STANDING UP FOR THE WORLD

We’re celebrating the incredible journey of the 2025 Oxford Next Horizons Programme participants - a dynamic and thoughtful group who’ve spent the last six months diving into reflection, growth, and discovery.

As part of both the Harris Manchester College and Rhodes House communities, the cohort created space to explore new ideas, connect with one another, and collaborate in meaningful ways. We hope this year's participants head home with full hearts and fresh perspective, enriched by their time in Oxford, and ready to face their next horizon.

Rhodes Scholars, Trustees, National Secretaries, staff and special guests gathered in the Rhodes House gardens last week to mark the dedication of a new parapet carving in |xam, a sleeping southern African language. The inscription sits at eye level and acknowledges the source of the Rhodes Trust's wealth. A nearby translation stone gives its meaning as: "Remembering and honouring in our work those who suffered and laboured to generate this wealth."

Guests witnessed the formal dedication of the inscription by Professor Sir John Bell, Chairman of the Rhodes Trust Board, and had the special experience of witnessing the first public reading of the |xam wording, by linguist and lead translator Luan Staphorst.

Explaining the choice of language for the new carving, Trustee and Rhodes Scholar Professor Elleke Boehmer said that "although English is a global language, it is also a colonial language, and a language through which many cultures worldwide have felt excluded. Quite early on we decided on the southern African language ǀxam, for a number of reasons. |xam was the language spoken by those Indigenous people who met the first Europeans to arrive at the Cape of Good Hope – later the focal point of so many of Rhodes’ political and economic activities. |xam is related to other click languages of southern Africa, especially the Northern Cape and Namibia. And |xam is also the language of the South African coat of arms."

Professor Boehmer and Luan Staphorst travelled to the Kalahari to consult with community leaders and speakers of the related language N|uu about the use of |xam in this context. The carving was carried out by local stonemason Fergus Wessel.

Ghana’s cocoa farms are at the heart of a sustainability challenge: how can we grow chocolate without harming the planet? 🍫

With support from the Sir Peter Elworthy grant, #RhodesScholar Lubasi Limweta conducted fieldwork in the Ashanti region of Ghana, working alongside farmers to study how agroforestry systems affect biodiversity, soil health, and microclimates. Here, Lubasi and the team are pictured on their last day of fieldwork after installing microclimate stations, collecting soil samples, deployment of nutrient cycling and more.

By uncovering how shade trees and sustainable practices influence cocoa productivity, this research supports a future where farming works with nature—not against it. Read more on the Unlikeminded Blog on our website 🌿

The #RhodesScholarship personal statement is a chance to shine — showcasing your character, service-oriented mindset, and leadership potential.

Enjoy this burst of inspiration from Australia #RhodesScholar, Riley Faulds!

National Secretaries from almost every one of our 25 constituencies gathered in Rhodes House last week for the biennial National Secretaries Week. National Secretaries oversee the selection process for the Rhodes Scholarship in their respective regions. The week brought National Secretaries together to share selection and outreach best practices and discuss pertinent topics with each other and with Rhodes staff, Scholars and University representatives. It was a wonderful week of rich discussion and good company!

What happens when #RhodesScholars leave Oxford, and set out to change the world? 🧭

We are excited to announce the launch of the Oral History Project, a collection celebrating the rich tapestry of stories within the Rhodes Scholar community, that answers this very question.

Through more than 150 interviews, Scholars from diverse backgrounds share their unique journeys, reflecting deeply on personal growth, friendships formed at Oxford, and their ongoing commitment to positive global impact across generations. Participants have included Scholars from Malaysia to Maryland, those with careers and experiences in the public eye, alongside those who have fought the world’s fight every bit as powerfully, though in perhaps less prominent ways.

🌍 Explore the full collection of stories on our website at www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/oralhistory to learn more about how Rhodes Scholars continue to shape the world in varied and impactful ways.

Meet Cephas Svosve, a #RhodesScholar and founder of EcoWealth — which accelerates green energy adoption in Zimbabwe by offering solar accessibility for marginalised communities facing severe power shortages ☀️🔌🔋

EcoWealth's innovative finance model:
• Offers household solar energy systems on fair credit terms, without the heavy burden of upfront costs
• Uses alternative credit assessments that consider informal incomes and diaspora remittances
• Connects homes to the national grid, which allows households to send excess energy back in exchange for prepaid electricity tokens, protected from inflation.

EcoWealth's work in democratising energy access and promoting green solutions earned them a People’s Choice Award from our partners, The Mandela Rhodes Foundation. Visit their page to find out more about the Äänit Prize for social impact in Africa, closing soon!

Applying for the #RhodesScholarship this year? Here are some tips to help you write your CV!

✅ Check the requirements
✅ Tailor your CV
✅ Keep it short
✅ Use action verbs
✅ Show impact

Each Rhodes constituency has specific guidelines, so be sure to review the Information for Candidates document for your constituency on our website before you begin.

The Rhodes Scholarship is a life-changing postgraduate opportunity to join outstanding young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford. Apply now at www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/apply ⭐

#RhodesScholar #UniversityofOxford #OxfordUniversity #PostgraduateScholarship #PostgraduateStudy #Scholarship #Scholarships #ScholarshipOpportunity #ScholarshipOpportunities #StudyAbroad #StudyintheUK #StudyOverseas

“There’s no typical Scholar here—whoever you are, you’ll find your community.”

Sharon Chau, from Hong Kong shares how diverse, passionate, and welcoming the #RhodesScholar community truly is.

Last week we hosted our Going Down Dinner for our Class of 2023 #RhodesScholars. This annual dinner marks the end of many of our Scholars' time in Oxford and is a chance to say goodbye to their cohort and reflect upon their years as Scholars in Residence. Wishing our going down Scholars the best of luck in their next pursuits - stay in touch! 💙

What should you write in your Academic Statement for the #RhodesScholarship?

This is your chance to show the selection committee why you’ll thrive at the University of Oxford. 🧑‍🎓

Remember, this is supposed to be more factual than your Personal Statement. Keep it concise and focused on the course you want to study, and how it aligns with your long-term goals.

The Rhodes Scholarship is a life-changing postgraduate opportunity to join outstanding young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford. Apply now at www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/apply 💫

#RhodesScholarship #RhodesScholar #UniversityofOxford #OxfordUniversity #PostgraduateScholarship #PostgraduateStudy #Scholarship #Scholarships #ScholarshipOpportunity #ScholarshipOpportunities #StudyAbroad #StudyintheUK #StudyOverseas

We believe in a society where AI empowers human potential and helps us shape our future.

The inaugural Kevin Xu Innovation Challenge in 2024 invited the Rhodes and Equitech Futures communities to propose bold solutions to help us get closer to this goal, answering the question: How can we create a society where AI isn't a threat to livelihoods, but rather a tool that empowers people to build more meaningful lives to create a more equitable future for all?

We can’t wait to see the powerful ideas that this year’s challenge will spark. Stay tuned for #TechAndSociety2025! ✨