The University of St Andrews is looking forward to welcoming its first Mission Hills-funded student now that the two organisations have finalised a scholarship programme.

The project will utilise monies generated by the annual Mission Hills-St Andrews: Home to Home Scholarship Fund-raising Championship to support young Chinese golfers wishing to continue their studies at St Andrews.

Mission Hills will identify candidates and draw up a shortlist before St Andrews, Scotland’s oldest university, makes the final selection.

It is anticipated the successful student will be identified before the third edition of this year’s Home to Home tournament, paving the way for enrollment in January 2016.

“We have previously had an agreement in principle to fund this scholarship, now we have finalised the academic criteria and can begin vetting candidates,” said Tenniel Chu, Vice Chairman of Mission Hills Group.

“This programme offers a marvellous opportunity to aspiring young Chinese golfers to study in a wonderfully academic and competitive environment while at the same time improving their game at the Home of Golf.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Mission Hills will provide funding for a minimum of one semester and this can be extended to a whole academic year of a full degree course.

The student will also be considered for acceptance into the University of St Andrews’ Saints Golf Programme for the duration of the overseas study term.

“We are delighted to finalise this scholarship programme and we look forward to welcoming its first student in the near future,” said Professor Louise Richardson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews.

“This initiative continues our growing collaboration with Mission Hills and is another step in our wider efforts to build bridges with China.”

Chu and Richardson formally confirmed the agreement in a joint signing ceremony at Mission Hills’ offices in Hong Kong.

The scholarship agreement and Home to Home tournament are part of an escalating programme of activities and exchanges between Mission Hills and the University of St Andrews.

These include Mission Hills making a financial contribution to the town’s museum, to which St Andrews has responded by donating exhibits for the soon-to-be-opened Dr David Chu Golf Museum – the first such public facility in China – at Mission Hills Shenzhen.

Professor Louise Richardson and Tenniel Chu sign the scholarship agreement. Picture by Power Sport Images for Mission Hills.