The news
The COSARAF Charitable Foundation was delighted to visit St Anne’s College, Oxford, this week to celebrate its longstanding partnership through the Sheikh Family Scholarships Programme, reflect on the impact achieved to date and explore opportunities for future collaboration.
The Foundation was warmly welcomed by Vice-Principal Don Porcelli, Director of Development Edwin Drummond and colleagues for a partnership review meeting and formal lunch, bringing together representatives of the College, the Foundation and current Sheikh Family Scholars.
Since the official launch of the Sheikh Family Scholarships Programme in 2019, the partnership between COSARAF and St Anne’s College has continued to grow, supporting talented young people to access world-class higher education and realise their ambitions.
To date, 10 Sheikh Family Scholars have been supported at St Anne’s College, studying a diverse range of subjects including Medicine, History, Geography and Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE).
Of the approximately £500,000 invested by COSARAF in the wider Sheikh Family Scholarships Programme, almost half has been dedicated to supporting students at St Anne’s, reflecting the strength and significance of this partnership.
The visit provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress made since the programme’s inception and hear first-hand about the difference the scholarships have made to students’ academic journeys and personal development.
The Foundation also enjoyed learning more about the College’s distinctive history. Founded as Oxford’s first women’s home college, St Anne’s is relatively young compared with many of its Oxford counterparts. Its history of widening access to education continues to shape its inclusive values, diversity and commitment to creating opportunities for students from different backgrounds.
The visit also welcomed Jonathan Freeman, COSARAF’s former Senior Adviser and a St Anne’s alumnus, whose longstanding support and instrumental role in developing the scholarship initiative were warmly acknowledged.
Following the partnership review, COSARAF Trustee Seema Sheikh and Director Tashmina Hoque joined current Sheikh Family Scholars and members of the College’s admissions team for lunch.
The discussions provided valuable insight into the scholars’ experiences of university life, the opportunities available at St Anne’s and the difference that financial and wider support can make in enabling students to thrive.
Beyond academic achievement, the Sheikh Family Scholarships Programme seeks to empower young people to develop their confidence, leadership skills and aspirations, supporting them to become changemakers within their chosen fields and wider communities.
Hearing directly from the scholars reinforced the importance of sustained investment in young people and the value of partnerships that extend beyond financial assistance.
The visit coincided with the annual Naz Legacy Foundation Diversity Day, hosted by St Anne’s College, providing an opportunity for the COSARAF team to observe and engage with visiting school students and their teachers.
The day offered young people, including students from London schools, an opportunity to experience life at Oxford, explore the College and hear directly from current undergraduates.
A particular highlight was the Student Life Carousel, where Sheikh Family Scholars participated in a question-and-answer session, sharing their experiences of applying to Oxford, studying at St Anne’s and navigating university life.
For many visiting students, discovering that the scholars came from similar backgrounds and communities, including London, was particularly powerful. Seeing young people like themselves studying at Oxford helped make the possibility of attending a leading university feel more achievable.
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Students spoke enthusiastically about their experiences, with many expressing a newfound ambition to apply to Oxford or Cambridge.
Teachers attending the event also emphasised the importance of providing more opportunities of this kind, highlighting how university visits and direct engagement with students can raise aspirations, broaden horizons and introduce young people to academic subjects and career pathways they may not previously have considered.
The experience demonstrated the value of bringing together COSARAF’s scholarship and widening-participation partnerships, creating opportunities for current scholars to inspire the next generation.
The visit was a valuable opportunity to celebrate the achievements of a longstanding partnership while considering how COSARAF and St Anne’s College might build on their shared commitment to educational opportunity, inclusion and social mobility.
As part of its 2026–2029 strategy, COSARAF is committed to empowering individuals to become changemakers, strengthening networks and creating opportunities for learning, leadership and personal development.
The Sheikh Family Scholarships Programme remains an important part of this ambition, demonstrating how sustained investment in talented young people can create opportunities that extend well beyond their time at university.
The Foundation extends its sincere thanks to Don Porcelli, Edwin Drummond and the wider St Anne’s College team for their generous hospitality, and to the scholars, students and teachers who contributed to such an inspiring day.
COSARAF looks forward to continuing its partnership with St Anne’s College, supporting future generations of Sheikh Family Scholars and exploring new opportunities for collaboration that will inspire and empower even more young people to realise their potential.
