Background to Olive Tree


The first Olive Tree Scholars began to study in 2004 and by 2009 a total of 40 scholarships had been awarded across three successive cohorts of students. Initiated originally under the auspices of the Olive Tree Educational Trust, the Olive Tree is now a City University Programme, under the remit of the Vice Chancellor, and is overseen by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and International) – Professor Dinos Arcoumanis.

The Director of the Programme is Dr Rosemary Hollis, formerly Director of Research at Chatham House and a specialist on the International Politics of the Middle East. She was appointed to the Programme in 2008, since when the Programme has also benefited from the expanded involvement of a number of faculty and staff across the university. Some staff also serve, along with external sponsors, on the Olive Tree Advisory Committee.

The first cohort of Olive Tree Scholars graduated in 2007 with degrees in a range of subjects, including Electrical and Computer Engineering, Journalism, Psychology, Sociology, media and Business.  All those who graduated in 2009 attained either first or upper second class honours degrees, in fields including International Politics, Sociology, Engineering, Journalism or Psychology. The third cohort, who include students studying Business Management, Law, Biomedical Engineering, Psychology, International Politics, Sociology and Journalism, are currently in their second year at City.

Graduates of the Programme to date have proceeded to careers in education, journalism, economic development, human rights, politics, administration, music, business and social work or are undertaking post-graduate studies.

The programme is made possible by the generous support of a number of trusts, foundations and individual sponsors, including founding patrons and donors Derek Tullett and Sheikh Mohamed Bin Issa al Jaber, Investec, the HSBC Education Trust and the Mark Leonard Trust.