ABERYSTWYTH University has launched a new bursary for students, thanks to a generous donation from a South African businessman who has made Wales his home.

The main aim of the Rashid Domingo Student Bursary is to help with the maintenance costs of students who show academic promise but who may be deterred from going to university for financial reasons.

After creating a number of scholarships and bursaries in his native South Africa, Mr Domingo was keen to turn his philanthropic interests to Wales and Welsh students deserving to achieve their academic potential.

The award is worth up to £12,000 over three years and is open to applicants for undergraduate courses in IBERS or the Department of Physics who have attended secondary school or college in Wales for a period of at least three years.

The bursary can be used to help pay for accommodation and other living expenses as well as costs associated with studies such as buying books and study-related equipment.

Director of the development and alumni relations office, Louise Jagger said: “We are deeply grateful to Rashid for his generous gift to our students and to the University. His philanthropy is inspiring, not only in terms of the amount he has donated but also in the ambitions he has to make a difference to the students and departments he is supporting."

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