[CODATA-international] Open Letter requesting Scholarships at all Russell Group Universities

[Suchith Anand]

Dear colleagues


I have been volunteering my efforts for over a decade for providing higher education opportunities for more first-generation students and for students from economically poor families.


https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/please-share-ideas-providing-higher-education-more-first-anand/


I came across these reports and article on Child poverty, education and the postcode lottery in the UK. Extreme child poverty in the UK is a humanitarian and ethical crisis. In educational terms, poverty is a significant disadvantage. The link between poverty and poor educational outcomes and wellbeing in the UK has remained stubbornly and depressingly high despite longstanding policy concern at national, local and jurisdictional levels of government.



Child poverty, education and the postcode lottery

https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2020/08/19/child-poverty-education-and-the-postcode-lottery/


It is very disappointing to read about Racism in science and higher education environments in the UK.


Details of the Nature special issues at


https://www.nature.com/immersive/d41586-022-04386-w/index.html

https://www.nature.com/immersive/d42859-022-00031-8/index.html


There is a need to expand the university education opportunities available to Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) students,  students from economically poor families and first-generation students in science. There is so much talent out there that just isn’t getting an opportunity.


So now, I am hoping to bring together university leaders and to advocate for each Russell Group university (the most prestigious and richest universities in the UK) to provide 100 full scholarships per year for Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) students, students from economically poor families and first-generation students . The question is not “why do this?”, the question is “why not do this?”. This would create a huge ripple effect for representation in science.


The main reason that I decided to share my racism experiences is to make sure that other colleagues and students don’t face racism in the future. I have forgiven all of them for their racial discrimination towards me .


I think it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure equal access and to fight against racism in science. We must all try to make sure that there is no racial discrimination in our department or in our team, and to speak out against racism, and to support colleagues who report these problems.


The pain that I had gone through because of the racial discrimination cannot be quantified, but if that could pave way for reducing racism for other colleagues in the future and help in GeoForAll mission for providing more higher education opportunities for the first generation students, BAME students and for students from economically poor families then, I can say that the injustices I had faced was worth it.



I request the University vice-chancellors and senior management in all Russell Group Universities to please consider my humble request for providing new 100 full scholarships per year at each Russell Group university for BAME students, students from economically poor families and first-generation students.


Please take pledge for eliminating racism from all UK Universities.  Let us all work for making science and education more accessible, inclusive and equitable for the benefit of all.


As Mahatma Gandhi said “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”


Every day, each and every one of us can stand up against racial prejudice and disrespectful attitudes.



Let’s build a world beyond racism and discrimination, where we all exercise our human rights. Be a human rights champion!



https://www.un.org/en/fight-racism


If you are working at a Russell Group university, please share my open letter with your university management. Thanks. Details at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/open-letter-requesting-scholarships-all-russell-group-suchith-anand<https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/open-letter-requesting-scholarships-all-russell-group-suchith-anand?trk=public_profile_article_view>




Best wishes



Suchith



Dr Suchith Anand

Senior Adviser to Governments and International Organisations | Scientist | Board member | Governance | Policy | Consultant in Data Science and Data Ethics | Global Citizen | SDG Volunteer and Advocate


https://council.science/profile/suchith-anand/

https://www.rd-alliance.org/users/suchith-anand

https://ethicaldatainitiative.org






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