The new LimeTree Capital PhD China Scholarship Fund will support development opportunities, specialist equipment and fieldwork costs.

Alumnus supports some of China’s brightest students to study at Exeter

A new scholarship fund to support Chinese PhD students during their time at Exeter has been launched thanks to alumnus James Goulding, founder of investment management company LimeTree Capital Partners, which has offices across China.

Each year the China Scholarship Council (CSC) supports talented Chinese PhD students to come to the University of Exeter to complete their studies in a broad range of subjects. While the CSC Scholarships cover students’ living costs, many students miss out on taking part in additional activities due to lack of funds. The new LimeTree Capital PhD China Scholarship Fund will therefore provide £50,000 per year for four years to support these activities.

The fund will support things like specialist equipment and fieldwork costs, as well as for development opportunities such as conference attendance. This will help to ensure that all students can gain the maximum benefit from their time at Exeter.

James, who is based in Hong Kong, said: “I’m delighted to be able to support this initiative. The existing CSC Scholarships are a great start to help young researchers fulfil their ambitions and I hope that this complementary funding will help everyone to maximise their Exeter experience. It is vitally important for the UK to improve our dialogue and understanding of China, which these Chinese students will help achieve.”

Mark Goodwin,Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement) at the University of Exeter, said: “We welcome this new funding, which will make a great difference to the PhD students who come to Exeter on the CSC Programme. It will allow them to expand the scope and quality of their research and to make the most of the opportunities available to them in the UK. We are incredibly grateful to James and LimeTree Capital Partners for their support.”

Date: 28 April 2021