Winner of Sir Cyril Taylor scholarship fulfils dream to study an MBA at Richmond
Lediana Hoke, from Indonesia, who was awarded a full Sir Cyril Taylor Foundation International Postgraduate Scholarship which funds her tuition fee and accommodation costs, is living her dream by studying an MBA at Richmond Business School.
Lediana said, “I’m so grateful to have been awarded a full Sir Cyril Taylor Foundation Scholarship, which has helped me to achieve my goal of studying an MBA and experience life in London at the same time.”
This is the first year of the Sir Cyril Taylor Foundation International Postgraduate Scholarship for international students and as the winner of the full Scholarship award, Lediana has all her tuition fees covered by Richmond for the year, as well as her accommodation and food costs through a combination of meal allowances and free breakfasts. In order to apply for the Scholarship, Lediana submitted statements on three criteria: academic excellence, ambassador for change, and career aspirations.
Based at centrally located International Student House (ISH), near Regent’s Park for her accommodation, Lediana is able to experience the many facets of life in the UK with international students at other London universities, providing her with a deeper understanding of British society. A charity which has housed 10,000 students since its conception, ISH believe every young person should have the opportunity to succeed whatever their background.
Lediana said, “I’ve been in London for around three months, and I have loved each moment I’ve spent here. London is a beautiful and very diverse city. In the classes at Richmond, I’ve enjoyed the valuable learning experience provided by every lecture. Staying at ISH has enabled me to gain new insights from students across many different universities and countries. ISH has numerous events and activities for students, not only to promote global friendship but also to help students achieve their academic and personal aims and their career aspiration. The combination of studying my MBA at the University’s Kensington campus and staying at ISH and experiencing life in London is fantastic.”
After graduating with a BA in Accounting in Jakarta, Lediana was accepted for a management trainee programme, aimed at providing graduates with hands-on training to accelerate their career. She then worked as an accountant at an export-import company in Jakarta.
She continued, “Once I’ve qualified with my MBA, I would love to pursue my passion for entrepreneurship in Indonesia. I can see there are so many opportunities in Indonesia’s huge market and its growing number of start-ups. Also these days, the Indonesian government is putting massive effort into supporting local innovation and entrepreneurship, making it easier for start-ups to thrive.
“An MBA degree is much more than a tool to boost my employability. As one of the most respected degrees, taking an MBA will not only provide me with valuable knowledge but increase my credentials. The thing I’m hoping to do after my MBA is to establish my own business and make a positive impact on society.”