A trading firm has announced it will support the Oxford University Graduate Scholarships for Ukraine Scheme.

The firm, XTX markets, shared that it will support the scheme with a grant of £602,550 from its £15 million Academic Sanctuaries Fund, established to support students and researchers affected by the war in Ukraine.

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The scholarships will help up to 18 graduate students who have been displaced by the war in Ukraine to complete a full-time taught master’s course at Oxford.

Additionally, a group of leading Ukrainian mathematicians are founding a new centre for mathematical research, with funding given by XTX Markets.

The company has committed up to £1 million in matched funding to establish the Centre, enabling any donations or pledges in 2023 to be matched 100 per cent.

The mission of the centre will be to support top-level research in mathematics, with special emphasis on training younger generations of mathematicians and the development of mathematics in Ukraine.

Building on a strong mathematical tradition in Ukraine, the new centre will be driven by excellence and freedom in research.

It will become a place where mathematicians from all over the world can exchange new ideas, collaborate and share their knowledge with researchers.

The centre is likely to be based in Kyiv, Kharkiv or Lviv, with the final choice of location being made in consultation with the mathematical community and other partners.

Maryna Viazovska, of the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne and winner of the 2022 Fields Medal, commented: ''It is exciting to see the International Centre for Mathematics in Ukraine gathering together the brightest mathematical minds for such a wonderful project.

The support from our founding and principal donor, XTX Markets, is crucial at this foundational stage and we look forward to working with them going forward.''

Masha Vlasenko, of the Institute of Mathematics of the Polish Academy of Sciences, commented: ''The idea of an independent mathematical institute in Ukraine has been cherished by our colleagues for years.

“With the support from XTX Markets, we are turning this long-standing dream into reality.

“We are immensely grateful to XTX and working together, I am sure that this initiative will become a great success.''

Alex Gerko, Founder and co-CEO of XTX Markets commented: "The International Centre for Mathematics will help Ukrainian researchers to collaborate with the rest of the world and share the country's outstanding tradition in mathematics.

“XTX is matching donations 100 per cent, so we encourage companies and foundations to give generously to support this important initiative.

“We look forward to the Centre opening its doors soon, in a free and peaceful Ukraine."

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1