Syracuse scholarship to restart next year

THE Lockerbie-Syracuse scholarship exchange programme will return next year with a few tweaks.

Documents released under a Freedom of Information request made by this paper show that the American university is preparing ‘to restore the scholarship programme in 2026-7’.

And they are committed to working with Lockerbie Academy in the future, rather than the Lockerbie Trust, to move forward.

Writing to council officials earlier this year, Syracuse interim vice chancellor Lois Agnew said: “We have developed what we believe will be a positive way forward in restoring the Lockerbie Scholar program through a partnership.

“I am pleased this will allow us to continue to provide what we believe to be a unique academic experience for Lockerbie students and to sustain the strong connection between Syracuse and the community of Lockerbie that we have valued for many years.”

However, confirmation of who will fund it in the future has still not been given and those details were left out of the FOI response.

It was previously covered by the Lockerbie Trust but they will no longer be part of the agreement, as Syracuse wants to work directly with Lockerbie Academy and officials at the council’s education department.

So, Dumfries and Galloway Council was this week directly asked where the money is coming from to pay for future scholars’ experience.

Their response was also vague and only said: “The partnership agreement between the council and the university is in draft form. Discussions are continuing, and updates will be shared with the school and wider community as and when required.”

Meanwhile, Syracuse have stated that future scholars must also be of school age and they no longer wish to include graduates in the cohorts as it’s more costly.