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F1 driver to sponsor motorsport students

21st February 2007 (Source: Oxford Brookes University )

Fernando Alonso

Spanish Formula One racing driver Fernando Alonso today revealed plans to provide sponsorship for twelve Spanish speaking students to study motorsport engineering at Oxford Brookes University.

Speaking at a press conference in Madrid, 25-year-old Alonso explained his plans to support Spanish students to study motorsport engineering, saying that Oxford Brookes had been selected for the partnership because ‘it is the most prestigious university offering expertise in this area’.

Oxford Brookes enjoys close and well-established links with the motorsport industry, resulting in courses which are tailored to the needs of the industry, as well as research, and students who are invaluable to the industry’s development.

Alonso was joined in Madrid by Dr. Denise Morrey, Dean of the School of Technology at Oxford Brookes, who said: ‘Fernando is concerned that there is a shortage of Spanish engineers in the motorsport industry, and it is exciting that he has chosen to invest in building up this area of expertise in Spain. As a racing driver, he has recognized the importance of engineering to the world of motorsport, and this investment should have a great knock-on effect for Spain’s economy’.

Alonso, two-time World Champion, asked his private sponsor, the Spanish bank CajAstur, to provide funding for Spanish students to study for a one-yaer masters course in either Racing Engine Design or Motorsport Engineering at Oxford Brookes.

CajAstur has agreed to cover the tuition fees for twelve students, as well as up to 36,000 Euros each for living expenses. Candidates chosen to receive the ‘CajAstur Fernando Alonso’ scholarships will be able to begin their studies in September 2007. Applications will be judged by a panel which will include the President of the Spanish Confederation of University Rectors (or leaders), University presidents from across Spain, and Dr. Denise Morrey from Oxford Brookes.

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For more information, please contact:

Mike Meechan
Manager, Motorsport Knowledge Exchange
School of Technology
Oxford Brookes University
Wheatley Campus
Wheatley
Oxfordshire
OX33 1HX

Telephone +44 (0)1865 484240

http://www.msportknowledge.ac.uk/

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