(l-r) Dr David Bright, Postgraduate Programmes Manager; Michael Bartlett; Geng Yuan Yuan; Professor Mike Jackson, Director, The Business School.

The first Chinese student to be awarded a Bartlett Foundation scholarship to take an MBA course at the University of Hull has spoken of the opportun-ities the scholarship is giving her.

The Bartlett Foundation, which is funded by the Leeds-based Bartlett Group of insurance brokers, has awarded the £50,000 scholarship to cover the tuition fees for a total of five students to take the MBA course during the years 2002 to 2007 at the University's Business School.

The first student, Geng Yuan Yuan, said: "It's an honour to receive the scholarship because only one student from China can gain it each year.

"It has given me economic support ­ I can spend more time studying and can buy the reference books that I need."

Before coming to Hull, Geng studied international business at Tongji University in Shanghai and financial accounting in Jiangsu Province. She began the one-year MBA scholarship in September 2002. "I applied for the MBA scholarship because I would like to work for a major western company based in China so it is very important that I have a western education and an understanding of western culture."

Geng said the University of Hull has helped her to settle into her studies and the British way of life. "In the past, many Chinese students went to the USA to study, but now we are finding that the teaching in British universities is more suited to our needs."

The Bartlett Group decided to award the MBA scholarships to mark the opening of its China office.

Michael Bartlett, Chairman of the Bartlett Group and Trustee of the Foundation, said: "We are delighted to award this scholarship because it strengthens our links with China by providing support for education."