Newcastle University students are set to benefit, for a second year, from 44 scholarships to support their studies in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), thanks to a generous donation. 

The Eliahou Dangoor scholarships are available this year for any UK first year undergraduate student in one of the STEM subjects, starting from September 2012.

The scholarships are funded by a leading businessman who fled Baghdad for Britain in the 1960s to escape anti-Semitic persecution.

Dr Naim Dangoor, 97, the head of a successful property company, donated £3 million to set up the Eliahou Dangoor Scholarships – in honour of his late father – at Russell Group and 1994 Group universities across the UK.

Dr Dangoor, who received a CBE in the 2012 New Year Honours list, studied engineering in London, where he developed a lifelong commitment to educational causes, in particular STEM.

The awards are additional to any government or university funding and are aimed at talented, first year, UK undergraduate students with priority for award being given to those from low-income backgrounds studying science, engineering and maths related courses. Full-time students receive £1,000 while part-time students get £500.

Professor Suzanne Cholerton, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Learning & Teaching at Newcastle University said: "These scholarships represent generous support for students studying STEM subjects and will provide welcome financial help for students. For Newcastle, these scholarships are one element of a portfolio of support available to enable less advantaged students to study at our university."

For 2012 entry, Newcastle University has also launched its Promise Scholarships. This scheme will provide full scholarships worth £9,000 a year to 20 young people who show the most academic potential but are least likely to attend a top UK university such as Newcastle. In total Newcastle University is committing £54m in financial assistance and outreach activities over the next five years to support students in a range of areas. These include access scholarships and bursaries. For more information see the University website.

Dr Dangoor’s donation has been welcomed by Ministers and the Russell Group of leading universities.

Universities and Science Minister David Willetts MP said: "Government matched funding has allowed the Dangoor Scholarships to help even more students. 

"It is vital to the future prospects of young people, and the success of UK business, that we encourage greater numbers to study science, technology, engineering and maths at school and university.

"Dr Dangoor had the life changing experience of studying STEM at a UK university. Now he is making that even more attractive for a new generation of students."

Dr Naim Dangoor CBE, who is funding the Eliahou Dangoor Scholarships, said: "My family and I found refuge in this country when we had to leave Iraq. It is a privilege for me to be in a position to give something back."

published on: 7 February 2012