STANDING UP FOR THE WORLD

Congratulations to our 10th cohort of #RhodesScholars from #China! We can't wait to welcome you to Oxford in the autumn 🎉

⭐ Bincheng Mao, from Tianjin, plans to pursue a research master's degree in social law, aiming to bridge the gap between policy and its implementation on the ground to improve access to justice for all.
⭐ Siyu Liu, from Jiamusi, Heilongjiang Province, plans to pursue a master's degree in public policy, stemming from her interest in the design of international public policy, particularly the political dynamics and legal basis of interactions between sovereign states and international organisations.
⭐ Yiming Chen, from Beijing, plans to pursue a doctorate in computer science. She is committed to computer vision research and is passionate about advancing medical imaging.
⭐ Tony Wang, From Beijing, plans to pursue a doctorate in archaeology, seeking to reconstruct the history of Central Asia through an interdisciplinary lens.

#RhodesScholar #RhodesScholarship #Scholarship #StudyAbroad #Masters #Postgraduate #OxfordUniversity #Oxford

Meet National Geographic Society’s 2025 Young Explorer and #RhodesScholar Lana Alabbasi, an astrophysics researcher and science education advocate from Saudi Arabia.

Lana is the founder and director of the Falak Research Program, Saudi Arabia’s first space research mentorship initiative that connects students with experts from around the world to conduct cutting-edge space research. She will be arriving at Oxford this autumn to pursue a DPhil in Astrophysics.

"At Oxford, I aim to advance my research on gravitational waves from colliding black holes, while using the Rhodes community’s global reach to foster multicultural collaboration, challenge norms, and empower young researchers, especially Saudi women, to shape the future of astrophysics and actively contribute to our understanding of the universe,” Lana shared.

The National Geographic Society Young Explorers are 15 extraordinary young changemakers chosen each year for displaying exceptional courage, leadership, and a commitment to making a positive impact in their communities and beyond.

This year, two of our #RhodesScholars have been chosen for the program, receiving a $10,000 grant, along with training, mentorship and access to a lifelong network, helping them scale their ideas and deepen their impact.

Thinking of applying for the #RhodesScholarship? Read #RhodesScholar Kevin Otiato's thoughts on the application process ⬇️

Q: What advice would you have for someone thinking of applying to the Rhodes Scholarship?

Like myself, most of the Scholars did not expect to win the scholarship at the time of application. This, coupled with the evident diversity of backgrounds and experiences within the Rhodes Scholar community, has led me to conclude that ‘there is no one way to become a Rhodes Scholar.' As such, you already have one part of the application complete: your outstanding personal and academic story. I urge you to take the first bold step and never rule yourself out! The worst that can happen is rejection with a silver lining of valuable and authentic personal introspection about your life plans and contributions to humanity.

Q: What did you learn about yourself from the process of applying?

The Rhodes Scholarship application process features a great deal of self-reflection on personal values, academic and professional achievements, leadership experiences, and goals. The process taught me to authentically communicate my story and elucidate and prioritise my life goals. I also learned to value commitment to service as an integral aspect of leadership that enables me to use my privilege to make things happen for others and drive change in my community.

Thank you for sharing your answers Kevin!

What if the future wasn’t an abstract concept? At the 2024 Rhodes Forum on Tech & Society, Maya van Leemput explored the concept of experiential futures to challenge how we think, feel, and engage with what's ahead.

Join us for the next Forum at #TechAndSociety2025 on 8 November 2025 at Rhodes House and online, as we continue to explore how technology is shaping us and how we can shape it back.

The majority of applicants find the #RhodesScholarship application process to be valuable regardless of the outcome. It encourages them to think deeply about their passions and goals, enables them to build connections with fellow applicants and selectors, and helps clarify and affirm their future plans.

Read the reflections from eight of last year’s applicants.

Applications are open. Apply now! www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholarships/check-your-…

Have you started your application yet? Here are some key tips for the Rhodes — and other scholarships — from Dhvani Mehta, National Secretary for India:

⭐ Overcome self-doubt: It's common to feel like you're not "qualified" or that you're not the "ideal" candidate. However, the key is to recognize that scholarships often look for potential, not perfection.
⭐ Be authentic: One of the most powerful things you can do in your application is to be yourself. The selection process values candidates who demonstrate authenticity, passion, and a commitment to making a difference.
⭐ Prepare thoroughly: From application forms to interviews, preparation is key. Familiarize yourself with the scholarship’s values, goals, and the type of impact they seek. In interviews, be ready to discuss how your experiences and vision align with these values.
⭐ Embrace the journey: The application process is not just about being selected; it's an opportunity for personal growth. Even if you don’t get the scholarship, the experience itself can be transformative, helping you gain clarity on your goals and the steps needed to achieve them.

#RhodesScholarship #RhodesScholar

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.