Thomas Blake Glover Scholarship

Aberdeen Asset Management is pleased to sponsor the Thomas Blake Glover Aberdeen Asset scholarship through the Japan Society of Scotland.

The scholarship is open to young people who are at a post secondary educational level. Preference is given to candidates who have a business focus in their interest in Japan. The scholarship funds them to travel to Japan to undertake a period of intensive study of the Japanese language at the International Christian University (ICU) Summer Programme from July 4 to August 14 2009. The scholarship provides a grant of £5,000.

In October 2008, Aberdeen Asset Management announced a business and capital alliance with Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation (‘MUTB’), under which MUTB will promote selected Aberdeen products to the Japanese institutional market. MUTB has also purchased approximately 10% of Aberdeen’s issued share capital, with the right to purchase further shares in the market up to a maximum holding of 19.9%.

Two students awarded scholarships to study In Japan

The short list for the 2010 Thomas Blake Glover Aberdeen Asset Scholarship, which enables one Scottish student to study the Japanese language in Tokyo, was so strong that two scholarships were awarded. Twenty four year old Carolyn Ruxton of Ellon in Aberdeenshire was awarded the 2010 business scholarship to study at the International Christian University of Tokyo this summer. However, interview panelists were so impressed with 19 year old Glaswegian first year student Lloyd Conaghan that a second award was created to enable him to study at Yamaguchi University in Yamaguchi. The Thomas Blake Glover Aberdeen Asset Scholarship is a charitable fund which enables Scottish students to study both the Japanese language and culture at intensive university summer schools in Japan.

The scholarship, which is supported by Aberdeen Asset Management, is open to young people who are at a post secondary educational level. Preference is given to candidates who have a business focus in their interest in Japan.

Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management says of the double scholarship award, “It is very gratifying to see such a strong field of young Scottish candidates for the 2010 Thomas Blake Glover Aberdeen Asset Scholarship. Given the quality of application I am delighted to be able to support two outstanding candidates in pursing their development through these Japanese study trips. This scholarship recognises a spirit of discovery and enterprise and we hope it will inspire a new generation in Scotland like Carolyn and Lloyd."

Carolyn Ruxton (24) is currently studying for a Master of Architecture at Scott Sutherland School of Architecture at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen. Born in Dingwall, Carolyn moved to Ellon during her primary school years and later became deputy head girl at Ellon Academy. Carolyn has previously spent a year in Shenzhen in China on professional work experience in an architectural practice as part of her degree course.

Glaswegian Lloyd Conaghan (19) was born in the city and is currently living at home with his parents while he completes his first year studying psychology, business and management and economic and social history. On top of his degree studies, Lloyd is teaching himself Japanese for up to four hours a day via a programme of self study.

Chairman of the Japan Society of Scotland, Professor Stuart Picken explains that the scholarship panel found the selection challenging when faced with four excellent – and two outstanding – candidates, “Finding two such enthusiastic candidates gave us a dilemma. Having decided that Carolyn should be the recipient of the 2010 Thomas Blake Glover Aberdeen Asset Scholarship, we felt that Lloyd also deserved to be awarded as we were so impressed by his enthusiasm for Japan and his dedication to self study. I am delighted that we were able, via the scholarship fund, to fund a summer course for Lloyd. When Japan was opened up to the West, Scots were in the vanguard of European arrivals – as engineers, teachers, administrators and businessmen. We’re rebuilding this historic relationship and investing in our links with Japan through young Scottish talent like Carolyn and Lloyd.”

About Thomas Blake Glover

Named in recognition of the Scottish entrepreneur Thomas Blake Glover who was born in Aberdeenshire in 1838, the scholarship is sponsored by Aberdeen Asset Management. Glover settled in Nagasaki in 1859 where he established an agency for his employers, the Scottish trading house, Jardine, Matheson and Co. He played a critically important role in opening Japan to the west and became known as the Scottish Samurai. He introduced the first railway locomotive to Japan and started the Kirin brewery. He influenced the development of Mitsubishi as an industrial conglomerate.

Thomas Glover (1836-1911), the Scottish born entrepreneur embarked on a career in South East Asia when he joined the Scottish trading house, Jardine, Matheson & Co in Hong Kong from where he went to Japan. He created Glover and Co. in Nagasaki in 1859, and played a leading part in the modernisation process ushered in by the Meiji Period (1868-1912). Glover imported the first locomotives to Japan. He also established a brewery that later became associated with the famous Kirin brand. He is credited with influencing the development of Mitsubishi as an industrial conglomerate. Glover House in Nagasaki draws thousands of visitors every year, thus earning him an enduring place in the history of Japan’s awakening as a world power in the second half of the nineteenth century. Other Scots made important contributions to Japan in the fields of civil engineering, education and public administration, but Glover remains the symbol of commercial involvement and enterprise.

The modern origins of Mitsubishi date from the acquisition of Glover's mining and shipbuilding interests. Lord Bruce, Honorary Patron of the Japan Society of Scotland explains, "Thomas Glover and his generation of Scots who left an indelible mark on this formative period in Japanese history. The launch of the Glover Scholarship Fund honours their role in the foundation of modern Japan. But above all it will give opportunities to young Scots to forge their own links with Japan, and perpetuate that special relationship which emerged from the first contact between our countries 150 years ago."