Fund celebrates life of Alan Gilbert
04 Apr 2011
The Alan Gilbert Memorial Fund has been launched to celebrate the life and achievements of the University’s inaugural President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alan Gilbert, who died in 2010, shortly following his retirement.
The Fund will support the Equity and Merit Scholarship Programme, which was inspired by Professor Gilbert and enables outstanding students from developing countries such as Uganda, Rwanda and Bangladesh to study postgraduate courses at Manchester.
The Fund will create a permanent endowment to provide an annual 'Alan Gilbert Memorial Scholarship' for the most outstanding applicant from Africa.
Since 2007, 28 students have successfully completed courses in Manchester, one of whom is Ethel Nakakawa.
Ethel graduated from the University in 2009 with an MSc in Medical and Diagnostic Virology. Since then she has been using her skills to save the lives of her fellow Ugandans. She says: “There are a limited number of virologists in Uganda and an outbreak of viral diseases requires importing expertise – I can help reduce this as I will be able to train people as a teaching assistant in Uganda. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to study in Manchester.”
Ethel embodies Professor Gilbert’s belief that with education comes responsibility, and she is determined to make the most of the opportunity she has been given. “I hope to have an impact, not only on an individual basis, but on the whole nation, and you never know, the globe!”
By donating to the Alan Gilbert Memorial Fund you will be helping support students like Ethel to study at Manchester and make a difference in their communities. Staff, students, alumni and friends are invited to make a donation towards a target of £500,000.
You can find full information about the Fund online at: