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Reaching Out: Oxford Saïd partners with LGBTQ+ network to offer fellowships

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The fellowships will enhance and extend the Oxford MBA’s existing LGBTQ+ network

Saïd Business School, University of Oxford has partnered with Reaching Out MBA, a unique global network for LGBTQ+ MBA students, to offer fellowships for 2021-22 MBA cohort.

 

Up to two Reaching Out MBA fellowships will be available and will include a scholarship award with a minimum value of $20,000.  Saïd Business School will select the Reaching Out MBA fellows from applicants to the 2021-22 Oxford MBA programme and will be looking for impactful leaders in the LGBTQ+ community.

 

According to research conducted by Reaching Out across 40 schools in 2016, 4.19% of students across business schools identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.

 

The partnership with Reaching Out strengthens the School’s reputation for inclusivity: the Oxford MBA is the third most gender balanced in the world in 2020, with a 44% female cohort. It has seen year on year increases in international students, reaching 95% of the cohort in 2019-20, including 13% from Africa.

 

 

We’re really excited to announce this partnership which strengthens our position as one of the world’s most inclusive and diverse business schools.

Liz Starbuck Greer

MBA Director

Khayalethu Makhubu

The fellowships will enhance and extend the Oxford MBA’s existing LGBTQ+ network, Pride@SBS, which is chaired by current MBA candidate Khaya Makhubu.

 

‘These fellowships are incredibly important because members of the LGBTQ+ community are under-represented in MBA programmes and by extension, in business,’ stated Khaya. ‘The community needs more members in MBA programmes because we need to have more LGBTQ+ role models that succeed in all areas in society, and the MBA is an enabler of that.’

 

Pride@SBS has organised events for LGBTQ+ Oxford MBA candidates and alumni throughout the year, including mentorship sessions, networking events with alumni at top tech companies, and a virtual conference including LGBTQ+ students at Cambridge Judge, INSEAD, HEC and LBS.

 

‘We are all well-integrated and have a large contingent of allies,’ stated Khaya. ‘The School has also been very supportive in our efforts to ensure that our group is well-resourced, can exploit professional development opportunities and drive LGBTQ+ focused thought leadership.' 

 

As well as a scholarship, Reaching Out fellows will also benefit from professional development workshops, free access to Reaching Out’s events, including the annual Reaching Out conference and a ‘Fellowship Retreat’ networking trip. 

Saïd Business School and Reaching Out MBA will discuss the announcement and take questions during a  webinar on 15 July.

 

Oxford MBA Director Liz Starbuck Greer commented: ‘We’re really excited to announce this partnership which strengthens our position as one of the world’s most inclusive and diverse business schools. It will be a valuable program to support future LGBTQ+ candidates interested in pursuing an MBA while increasing awareness and allyship within our current cohort. I look forward to welcoming the first Reaching Out Fellows to Oxford in 2021.’

 

For more information about Said Business School LGBTQ+ community contact: pride@sbs.ox.ac.uk