UK rapper Stormzy has promised to cover the cost of sending two students from minority backgrounds to Cambridge University.
The 26-year-old, who recently headlined Glastonbury Festival, launched a scholarship scheme last year in order to boost the number of black students studying at the UK's top universities.
Stormzy, real name Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr., will cover all tuition fees and maintenance grants for the selected students, for the full duration of their university course.
The scholarship’s first two students enrolled at Cambridge – the second best university in the UK and seventh best in the world – last year. Their identities have never been revealed to enable them to study without attention, but Stormzy is said to keep track of their progress at the institution.
“There are so many young black kids all over the country who have the level of academic excellence to study at a university such as Cambridge – however we are still under represented at leading universities,” Stormzy said.
“We, as a minority, have so many examples of black students who have excelled at every level of education throughout the years.
“I hope this scholarship serves as a small reminder that if young black students wish to study at one of the best universities in the world, then the opportunity is yours for the taking – and if funding is one of the barriers, then we can work towards breaking that barrier down.”
“Stormzy is an inspiration, not just for his music but for his engagement on social issues and encouragement of young people,” The University of Cambridge’s vice-chancellor, Professor Stephen Toope, said. “He has achieved great success in his career, but recognises that this was at the expense of his studies and the option of a place at a top university. He wants to inspire talented young black people who have their sights set on university to follow their dreams.”
