A consortium of British universities has announced a scholarship programme for Venezuelan students displaced by the 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck the country’s central region on Tuesday. The scheme, coordinated by the Russell Group, will provide full tuition and living expenses for up to 200 undergraduate and postgraduate students for the 2024-2025 academic year.
The initiative targets those whose education was interrupted by the disaster, which has left thousands homeless and caused widespread damage to infrastructure, including schools and universities. Applicants must demonstrate that their academic progress was directly affected by the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks.
The programme, valued at approximately £8 million, will cover courses in engineering, public health, and environmental science, sectors identified as critical to Venezuela’s reconstruction. Institutions involved include the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, and University College London.
Sir Nicholas Gaskell, chair of the Russell Group, said: “This is a practical response to a humanitarian crisis. British universities have a long tradition of supporting academic exchange in times of upheaval. We hope this enables talented Venezuelan students to continue their studies and contribute to rebuilding their country.”
The scholarships will be administered in partnership with the British Council and the Venezuelan Ministry of Education, which is operating remotely from Colombia. The UK government has pledged to fast-track visa processing for successful applicants.
However, the announcement has drawn criticism from some corners. The National Union of Students in Venezuela accused UK institutions of “academic colonialism”, arguing that the scholarships would deplete the country of talent needed for reconstruction. Others have questioned the programme’s viability given that more than 150,000 people remain displaced and telecommunications networks are severely disrupted.
Despite these concerns, the first cohort of scholarships is expected to open for applications next month. A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said the government supports the initiative as part of its broader humanitarian aid package, which includes £50 million in emergency relief.
The earthquake, which struck on Tuesday evening, has claimed at least 400 lives, according to the latest official figures. International aid efforts continue to face logistical challenges due to damaged roads and political tensions with the Maduro government.
